bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
289 Evaluation of fecal microbiota transplantation in primiparous sows
Authors: Humphrey Dalton C , Wileman Caitlyn , Hagen Chloe S , Putnam Margaret , Bohr Ayva , Lesle Kamryn , Schmitz-Esser Stephan , Greiner Laura L 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Fifty primiparous (parity 3+) and 25 multiparous sows (DNA 241, DNA, Columbus, NE) were used to evaluate the impacts of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from sows to gilts on piglet scours prevalence, mortality, and fecal microbial diversity. Fresh fecal samples were collected from the primiparous and multiparous sows on approximately d 69 and 89 of gestation. The sows selected for sampling were from the same breed week as the gilts and had a historical record of low piglet mortality with increased litter size and no medical treatment during the current gestation period. The fecal samples from the sows were pooled on an equal weight basis and used for FMT solution preparation. The gilts were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: FMT or placebo (PBO). The FMT solution was administered orally to the 25 FMT gilts on approximately d 70 through 76 and 90 through 96 of gestation, while saline was administered to the 25 PBO gilts on the same days. Fecal samples were collected from all gilts and sows at the time of farrowing and at weaning. Piglets were individually weighed at birth and 5 wk post-weaning to calculate average daily gain (ADG). Scours prevalence was recorded daily from d 0 to 6 of lactation. Fecal samples were collected from two piglets per litter at weaning and 5 wk post-weaning. Pre-wean and nursery piglet mortality and morbidity were recorded. Total DNA from fecal samples and FMT solution from each timepoint were submitted for amplicon sequencing (Illumina MiSeq, Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA) at the Iowa State University DNA Facility (Ames, IA) to evaluate differences in microbial diversity and relative abundances across treatments groups. Data were analyzed using R version 4.3.1 (R Core Team, 2023). The sow and her litter were the experimental unit and results were considered significant if P ≤ 0.05 and a tendency if 0.05 &lt; P ≤ 0.10. The number of piglets after cross-fostering and weaned were similar across treatments (P ≥ 0.721). There was no effect of treatment group on piglet birth weight or ADG (P ≥ 0.198). Scours prevalence was less in sow litters compared with PBO litters (16.7 vs. 52.0%; P = 0.039), while FMT scours prevalence was intermediate. There was no effect of FMT on pre-wean or nursery mortality (P ≥ 0.890). In conclusion, FMT did not impact gilt litter scours prevalence, growth rate, or mortality through the nursery.
290 Commercial farm evaluation of enzymatically processed soybean meal in lactating sows
Authors: Bible Megan R , Rasmussen Simone H , van Leeuwen Jessika 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Hyper prolific sows have a high nutritional demand during lactation to produce sufficient milk for their large litters. To meet those requirements, it is common practice to include increased levels of soybean meal (SBM) in lactation diets. Which, considering the amino acid profile of SBM is a good source of protein at a reasonable cost. However, SBM cannot be digested and absorbed very rapidly in the gastrointestinal tract due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors (ANF), like trypsin inhibitors. As most lactation diets are supplemented with synthetic amino acids the incorporation of slowly digestible protein sources causes an asynchrony in release of amino acids into the blood stream. Enzyme-treated soybean meal (ESBM) is a protein source in which ANF are removed and it has been found to be a fast digestible protein source (Bible et al., 2023). It is therefore expected that the replacement of a proportion of SBM by ESBM will result in improved productivity of lactating sows. To test this hypothesis, hyper prolific sows (n = 1,078; Danbred) were enrolled on a commercial farm in Denmark. Data were collected from January 2023 through June 2023. Sows were fed their normal lactation diet from January to March (CON). Then, sows were fed a diet containing ESBM. There was a one for one replacement rate of ESBM for SBM meal. The inclusion rate of ESBM was 3%. The replacement increased the total crude protein level of the diet by less than 0.3%. It should also be noted the ESBM was fed during the summer months, which was uncommonly hot for the area. Sows fed ESBM had 0.2 more pigs per litter born alive than CON sows (19.7 vs. 19.5 pigs, respectively). Sows fed ESBM also weaned 0.1 more pigs than CON sows (16.8 vs. 16.7 pigs, respectively). There was a 5% increase in ESBM sows serviced before d 7 compared with CON sows (82 vs. 77%, respectively). Farrowing rate increased by 1.5% when sows were fed ESBM (88.9 vs. 87.4%, respectively). When pigs per sow per year was calculated, there was an increase of 0.6 pigs per sow by feeding ESBM (37.1 vs. 36.5 pigs, respectively). This on-farm experiment resulted in a 3 to 1 return on investment by feeding ESBM. First indications were that the replacement of SBM with 3% of ESBM can increase sow productivity even in hyper prolific sows. However, more research is needed to further evaluate effects of feeding enzyme-treated soybean meal to sows to see if this increased nutritional support also can help to mitigate negative effects of lactation stress on sow lifetime productivity.
292 Effects of feeding mycotoxins-contaminated feed with a mitigation strategy on growth performance and health status in weaned pigs
Authors: Hung Yuan-Tai , Reznik Gary , Fruge Emily , Lutz Trevor 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Various types and levels of mycotoxins are present in feed ingredients, thus negatively impacting swine health and productivity. Appropriate sampling and frequent testing of feed ingredients are recommended to assess the risk of mycotoxins in feed and to determine mitigation strategies for mycotoxin control. However, monitoring plans do not guarantee feed will be free of mycotoxins, so in-feed mitigation strategies are implemented to minimize production losses. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a mycotoxin mitigation product (MultiSHIELD, modified clinoptilolite-based product) on growth performance and health status of weaned pigs under dietary challenges with various types and levels of mycotoxins commonly found in feed. The presence of mycotoxins was confirmed in the ground corn, which was obtained from the Midwestern United States and then used in a standard corn and soybean meal-based diet for three dietary treatments. Treatments were as follows: 1) control diet containing mycotoxins without mitigation (fumonisins B1 at 390, 454, and 527 ppb; zearalenone at 727, 846, and 982 ppb; deoxynivalenol at 671, 781, and 907 ppb in N1, N2, and N3 diets, respectively), 2) control diet with 0.15% of MultiSHIELD as mitigation level 1, and 3) control diet with 0.3% of MultiSHIELD as mitigation level 2. A total of 912 weaned pigs were allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments (19 pigs per pen and 16 replicates per treatment) in a randomized complete block design with the initial body weight (as blocking. The results revealed that mycotoxin mitigation, regardless of the mitigation levels, had decreased removal rate (P &lt; 0.01), incidence of injectable medication treatments (P = 0.01), ear necrosis (P = 0.27), and scours (P = 0.18) compared with control. Overall, pigs fed mycotoxin mitigation treatment diets had heavier pen weight (P = 0.06) than those fed the control diet due to fewer removals. The results also demonstrated a significant improvement of economic parameters (i.e., income over feed cost per pen; P = 0.01) for pigs fed diets with MultiSHIELD, regardless of the inclusion level, than pigs fed control diet. In conclusion, poor swine productivity was observed due to the presence of mycotoxins in feed, and the inclusion of MultiSHIELD in feed under the mycotoxin challenge delivers a positive impact on health and economic performance of nursery pigs.
308 Awardee Talk: Prevention and mitigation of pathogens in feed and feed manufacturing systems
Authors: Harrison Olivia , Woodworth Jason C , Paulk Chad B , Gebhardt Jordan T , Jones Cassandra K 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Prior to 2013, pathogen transmission through feed was focused primarily on bacteria and biosecurity was used to prevent adulterant entry into the ingredients and the feed mills. Following the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) outbreak in 2013, research focused on pathogen mitigation and control quickly became a subject of interest. Since PEDV, multiple endemic viruses and foreign animal diseases have been found to be transmissible in feed or feed ingredients. As African swine fever virus (ASFV) spread closer to the United States and endemic pathogens are a continued pressure on production systems, it is imperative that prevention measures are included in the feed supply chain and options for mitigation are fully elucidated for times of need. Previous research has demonstrated that preventative measures such as boot baths, lines of separation, showers, and changing clothes are effective measures when appropriately maintained. However, these protocols can seem costly and burdensome to employees, especially when the risk of disease transmission appears low. Employee training is difficult as disease transmission is difficult to visualize and exhibit the importance of each measure. Glo Germ, a florescent substance, is a cost-effective training tool which can demonstrate the efficacy of prevention protocols and can identify areas where biosecurity measures have not been properly utilized. Preventative measures are the first line of defense for feed manufacturing systems, but understanding and using mitigation techniques in the event of contamination can limit pathogen spread and protect the rest of the feed supply chain. Pelleting, as a method of thermal inactivation process, has recently been demonstrated to lessen the quantity of detectable viral RNA and decrease the risk of infection. The pelleting process, however, is a point-in-time mitigant and does not decrease the risk of product re-contamination as feed continues down the supply chain. The use of chemical mitigants, like formaldehyde, medium-chain fatty acids, and organic acids, can decrease the presence of bacterial and viral pathogens with longer-lasting mitigation properties. These mitigants can either be used in the feed itself, or as an addition to flushing batches which help disperse the chemical mitigants throughout the feed manufacturing equipment, thus reducing the risk of product re-contamination. In the event more drastic measures must be taken to eliminate pathogen presence from feed mills, gaseous fumigation and the use of portable heaters show promise as methods to decontaminate feed manufacturing equipment without the use of water or complete equipment breakdown. Overall, effective training and implementation of preventative measures are needed to provide pathogen-free feed to production systems, but continued research in mitigation and mill decontamination will further protect the feed supply chain in the event of pathogen contamination.
42 Group sow housing considerations for improved survival and productivity
Authors: Campbell Roger 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Group sow housing considerations for improved survival and productivity. The Australian pork industry decided in 2010 to voluntarily phase out stall housing for pregnant sows by 2017. The change was supported by extensive R&D by the Pork CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork and the time line was brought forward by two major retailers in Australia. For 85 to 90% of producers the transition was complete by 2019-2020 and sows were grouped at weaning or straight after mating. I reviewed the pertinent literature, interviewed many producers on what is required to make group housing successful for the sow and the producer and looked at trend from an Australian bench making project in some aspects of reproduction and sow mortality from 2006 to 2020. The research showed sows adapt to grouping and exhibit reduced aggressive behaviors, injuries and plasma indicators of stress within 4 to 5 d after mixing. During this period, it was all about space at mixing, grouping sows based on size/parity, ensuring they all receive adequate feed and familiarization with group housing by the sow and staff. Producers said it is all about ensuring sows are grouped on size/parity, feeding with many using ad libitum feeding for the week after mixing, space with a preference between 1.8 and 2.2 m2, flooring (slats preferred) and minimizing mixing events. Producers were split on the use of drop feeding and electronic sow feeders with opinions very divided. For drop feeding the preferred housing system comprised full length feeding stalls without a back gate. All producers said they would not go back to stalls. Most producers experienced a decline in farrowing rate and increased lameness during the transition. However, reproduction improved over time and sow mortality decreased. If the top 4 to 5 factors affecting aggressiveness and overall welfare are followed, group housing sows improves their welfare and does not reduce their reproductive performance or longevity. Detection of estrus can be more difficult in groups and a number of Australian producers have implemented the use of satiety blocks during the first 2 and last 2 wk of gestation to further improve welfare and meet retailer requirements. Mating in groups (not stalls) has also been reported to improve reproduction.
38 Pig survival: Current state of the US swine industry
Authors: Flohr Josh , Williams Noel H , Williams Hadley 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Pig survivability stands as a formidable challenge for the United States Swine Industry, constituting both the foremost economic hurdle and a prominent sustainability concern. The economic dimension of this challenge has been accentuated by escalating production costs driven by the surge in feed inputs, labor expenses, and other variable cost increments. Current estimations of birth-to-market survivability, ranging from 60% to 85%, underscore the urgency of addressing this multifaceted issue, with sow livability varying from 70% to 90%, contingent upon the data source and housing system (e.g., Prop-12, Open Pen Gestation; Ross et al., 2019). This presentation delves into the intricate web of factors contributing to the decline in survivability, encompassing genetic influences, heightened disease pressures, biosecurity concerns linked to pig density, evolving management practices, and the aging infrastructure of facilities. While extensive research has been dedicated to each of these facets, advancements in swine survivability remain constrained, with some indicators suggesting a troubling increase in challenges. The presentation seeks to offer a comprehensive review of the current state of swine industry survivability, elucidating the persistent challenges and, crucially, identifying untapped areas of opportunity. By navigating through the complex landscape of economic constraints, environmental considerations, and technological interventions, the symposium aims to provide insights that can guide the industry towards innovative solutions, fostering a more resilient and sustainable future for the United States Swine Industry.
39 Using genetics and technology to improve swine robustness
Authors: Hamilton Dan N , Culbertson Miranda , Holl Justin W 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Abstract Pig robustness has been an increasing concern in the global swine industry over the last 10 yr. This trend of increased mortality across all phases of production continues to worsen over time despite greater focus on research, management, and other production practices to control it. During this time, dramatic improvements in genetic progress have been realized through the selection of economically important traits. Historically, swine genetic companies have relied on data from their purebred animals reared in high-health and well-managed environments which has proven difficult to provide meaningful insight on variation in robustness traits. More recently, leading genetic companies have invested in large commercial test herds where crossbred pigs and breeding animals are individually identified with pedigree and genomic information. These pigs are reared under challenging and varying commercial conditions and mortality, removals, and reproductive efficiency data are gathered and used to generate crossbred breeding values. This type of data increases the accuracy of genetic estimates as well as creates new traits aimed at improving robustness and ease of management. Further investments have been made in precision livestock farming technologies such as computer vision which is quickly being developed due to the low cost of cameras and the ability to use edge computing to process images in real-time or to transfer images and data to the cloud. These developments are particularly compelling in the genetic improvement space when they can be paired with individual animal identification enabling novel traits to be measured in large populations more consistently and at a reduced cost compared with previous labor-intensive or cost-prohibitive methods. Early examples of this are the use of cameras to score feet and leg soundness in replacement gilts as lameness and associated feet and leg injuries are still one of the largest contributors to sow culls and mortality. This new digital feet and leg soundness scoring method has initially resulted in dramatically greater accuracy and heritability compared with conventional subjective human scoring methods. Other camera-based algorithms have been developed to track individual pigs and assess their daily behaviors and interactions. These developments are key to collecting new phenotypes for the selection of positive behavior traits for genetic selection compared with what was previously possible with human observer or scan sampling methods. Gene editing is another promising technology that has been used in human health and plant breeding but is now being widely researched in livestock. This technology has been used to create the first PRRS-resistant pigs to address one of the most costly diseases in the industry. New sources of data and technologies are key to creating and capturing existing and novel phenotypes on large populations of pigs in commercial environments to aid in the genetic improvement of non-conventional traits.
223 Survey of veterinarians who use pentobarbital for euthanasia suggests knowledge gaps regarding animal disposal
Authors: Murphy Mike , Cornwell Emily 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
To assess 1) knowledge and practices of veterinarians regarding disposal of euthanized animals, 2) the extent to which veterinarians communicate with their clients about potential risks of rendering pentobarbital-euthanized animals, and 3) the extent to which veterinarians communicate potential relay toxicosis and environmental risks of pentobarbital-euthanized animals to clients. Over a 3-wk period in early 2021, 16,831 of the 99,500 members of the AVMA were surveyed, with 2,093 responses (a 12% response rate). Respondents were assigned to 1 of 3 categories on the basis of their answers: veterinarians euthanizing only food-producing species, veterinarians euthanizing only non–food-producing species, and veterinarians euthanizing both food-producing and non–food-producing species (i.e., veterinarians euthanizing mixed species). Veterinarians responding to this survey appeared to be aware of the major methods of animal disposal, and about 89% reported communicating the method of euthanasia with clients to help ensure appropriate animal disposal. However, the need for additional education on local, state, and federal laws and rendering, as well as on risks of relay toxicosis including wildlife predation and environmental impacts, was reported. Survey results identified gaps in knowledge of veterinarian regarding animal disposal following pentobarbital euthanasia. Further education on this topic may be beneficial, particularly for early- and mid-career veterinarians who euthanize non–food-producing species and for veterinarians who euthanize mixed species in urban and suburban communities.
95 Effects of increasing standardized ileal digestible valine:lysine ratio on growth performance in finishing pigs
Authors: Swanson Samantha , Boschert Andy , Spinler Mikayla , Woodworth Jason C , Tokach Mike D , Goodband Robert D , DeRouchey Joel M , Gebhardt Jordan T 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Two experiments evaluated the effects of increasing standardized ileal digestible (SID) Val:Lys ratio on the growth performance of 38 to 67 kg (Exp. 1) and 90 to 116 kg (Exp. 2) finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, pigs (n = 647; DNA 600 × 241) were randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments with 8 or 9 pigs per pen and 12 replications per treatment. Diets were corn-soybean meal-based, and low and high Val diets were manufactured and blended to create intermediate Val:Lys ratio diets. Diets were formulated to contain 0.90% SID Lys, and treatments consisted of SID Val:Lys ratios of 60%, 63%, 66%, 69%, 72%, and 75%. At the conclusion of the 27-d study, all pigs were fed a common diet for 30 d and then randomly re-allotted to 1 of 6 diets formulated to contain 0.65% SID Lys and SID Val:Lys ratios of 63%, 66%, 69%, 72%, 75%, and 78% (Exp. 2). In both experiments blood samples were collected from 3 pigs per pen on d 15 for plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) analysis. In Exp. 1, final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI) increased (quadratic, P &lt; 0.05) as Val:Lys increased (Table). Pigs fed the diet with 66% SID Val:Lys ratio had the greatest ADG, whereas pigs fed 72% SID Val:Lys ratio had the greatest ADFI. As the Val:Lys ratio increased, gain to feed ratio (G:F) decreased (linear, P &lt; 0.05). Valine and Lys intake increased (quadratic, P &lt; 0.05) as the Val:Lys ratio increased with the greatest intake observed at 72% SID Val:Lys. Valine and Lys intake per kg of gain increased (linear, P &lt; 0.05) as the level of Val in the diet increased. Plasma urea nitrogen decreased (linear, P &lt; 0.05) as the Val:Lys ratio increased. In Exp. 2, ADG and ADFI increased (linear, P &lt; 0.05) as Val:Lys increased. However, for ADG there was little improvement from feeding greater than 69% SID Val:Lys. There were no linear or quadratic effects (P &gt; 0.05) for SID Val:Lys on G:F or PUN. Valine intake, Lys intake, and Val intake per kg of gain increased (linear, P &lt; 0.05) as the Val:Lys ratio increased. There were no differences (P &gt; 0.05) observed in Lys intake per kg of gain. Based on the results of this study, it appears that 66% SID Val:Lys ratio maximizes ADG in 38to 67 kg pigs, and only small increases in ADG were observed when feeding greater than 69% SID Val:Lys for 90 to 116 kg finishing pigs.