Ultrasonographic determination of chemical composition and physical properties of meat in fattener pigs Ultrasonographic determination of chemical composition and physical properties of meat in fattener pigs Project 21-04 - Dr. Pawel Bartlewski Project examines relationships between the physical and chemical properties of the pigs' latissimus dorsi and semimembranosus muscles, and quantitative characteristics of their corresponding ultrasound images determined with the use of commercially available image analytical software... Read more
The discovery and testing of novel antimicrobials for swine health The discovery and testing of novel antimicrobials for swine health Project 16-008 - Lead Researcher: Chris Gray With stricter regulatory restrictions being imposed on using traditional antibiotics in animal production systems, farmers will need new alternatives that are potent, nontoxic and multi-target. The antimicrobial peptides discovered and/or tested in this project will respond to that need in the... Read more
Strategies for detoxifying vomitoxin using innovative chemical and biological approaches in post-weaning piglets Strategies for detoxifying vomitoxin using innovative chemical and biological approaches in post-weaning piglets Project 17-022 - Lead Researcher: Dr. Joshua Gong, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph The contamination of feed with the mycotoxin, deoxynivalenol (DON), has detrimental effects on the production of farm animals, with pigs being the most susceptible. Typical negative effects of mycotoxin consumption includes reduced feed intake, digestive dysfunction (e.g. gastroenteritis,... Read more
Reliable on farm testing and sampling for mycotoxins destined for feed Reliable on farm testing and sampling for mycotoxins destined for feed Project 18-001- Lead Researcher: Dr. Art Schaafsma, Ridgetown College Mycotoxins, especially vomitoxin (DON), coming from feed grains, continue to affect swine production in Ontario. Southwestern Ontario is known to be a "hot" region for the production of these toxins because of the moderating effect of the Great Lakes on climate. Read more
Reducing pathogens and greenhouse gas emissions from swine manure using anaerobic digestion Reducing pathogens and greenhouse gas emissions from swine manure using anaerobic digestion Project 17-006 - Lead Researcher: Dr. Brandon Gilroyed, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus Pork production contributes about 9% of total manure production in the Canadian livestock sector. During storage and land application manure undergoes natural degradation leading to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as methane(CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), as well as pollutants such... Read more
Precision Feeding of Gestating Sows: Use of Electronic Sow Feeders to Reduce Feed Costs and Nutrient Losses into the Environment, While Improving Sow Productivity and Welfare Precision Feeding of Gestating Sows: Use of Electronic Sow Feeders to Reduce Feed Costs and Nutrient Losses into the Environment, While Improving Sow Productivity and Welfare Project 16-004 - Researchers: Ira Mandell and Lee-Ann Huber, University of Guelph The ultimate goal of this work is to examine how sow management using ESF can influence lifetime sow productivity and retention in the herd, and carry-over effects on to her progeny. Read more
Optimizing an infection model for E. coli diarrhea in newly weaned pigs Optimizing an infection model for E. coli diarrhea in newly weaned pigs Project 21-02 - Dr. Vahab Farzan The project will conduct a series of challenge trials in the OVC Animal Isolation Facility to optimize an infection model for post-weaning E. coli diarrhea. Specifically, the association of genetic factor, age of pigs, and dosage of infection with severity of diarrhea, bacterial shedding,... Read more
Molecular characterization of Streptococcus suis isolates recovered from Ontario nursery pigs between 2013 and 2018: Towards development of an effective vaccine Molecular characterization of Streptococcus suis isolates recovered from Ontario nursery pigs between 2013 and 2018: Towards development of an effective vaccine Project 19-005 - Lead Researcher: Dr. Vahab Farzan, University of Guelph The project will apply these advanced analytical methods to help identify the most important virulence-associated-factors and use this knowledge in an attempt to develop a universal vaccine for S. suis in pigs. Read more
Improving post-weaning performance of nursery pigs through a feeding system designed to be compatible with normal weaned pig feeding behavior Improving post-weaning performance of nursery pigs through a feeding system designed to be compatible with normal weaned pig feeding behavior Project 20-007 - Dr. Tim Blackwell, OMAFRA This project will imitate multiple hand feedings by adding a special controller to the standard Rondomat nursery feeder. Closely approximating natural feeding behaviour improves piglet vigour after weaning and reduces the need for antimicrobials. Read more
Improvement of feed efficiency in Canadian swine industry through genomics and machine learning Improvement of feed efficiency in Canadian swine industry through genomics and machine learning Project 21-01 - Dr. Younes Miar Feed is the largest cost of pork production in Canada and therefore improving feed efficiency (FE) is essential to boost the Canadian pig producer profitability. Additionally, improving FE increases industry competitiveness, decreases demand on global feed resources, and complements... Read more
Evaluation and improvement of Streptococcus suis bacterins Evaluation and improvement of Streptococcus suis bacterins Project 19-006 - Researchers: Dr. Mariela Segura and Dr. Marcelo Gottschalk, University of Montreal We propose to study and compare the immune response and protection generated by an autogenous vaccine formulated with different adjuvants under controlled conditions using experimental challenge of piglets. An improved vaccine strategy will have an impact on swine health and welfare,... Read more
Establishing value/utility of soluble CD163 as a biomarker for predicting PRRS-induced disease severity in swine herds Establishing value/utility of soluble CD163 as a biomarker for predicting PRRS-induced disease severity in swine herds Project 17-011 - Lead Researcher: Dr. John Harding, University of Saskatchewan The swine industry is economically burdened by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) and PRRSV-induced coinfections partly due to the lack of fully protective vaccines and also by the absence of a reliable method to distinguish disease-susceptible (moderately to severely affected... Read more
Efficacy of exogenous alkaline phosphatases to improve growth performances in pigs Project 17-032 - Lead Researcher: Dr. Ming Fan, University of Guelph The effects of systemic inflammation are well documented to adversely affect efficiency of energy and nitrogen utilization in pigs. Weaned and grow-finish pigs are likely commonly experiencing mild inflammatory responses within the body, to the various challenges they experience (stress at... Read more
Effects of improved design trailers on the welfare of pigs transported under Canadian transport and climate conditions Effects of improved design trailers on the welfare of pigs transported under Canadian transport and climate conditions Project 17-012 - Lead Researcher: Dr. Luigi Faucitano Pig losses during transit are largely dependent on vehicle design. This is particularly the case in Canada where most pigs are transported in pot-belly (PB) trailers. This vehicle type is questioned as it is not easy to load and unload due to the presence of multiple and steep ramps and provides... Read more
Effect of genetic stress susceptibility on pork meat quality Effect of genetic stress susceptibility on pork meat quality Project 18-004 - Lead Researcher - Dr. Ray Lu, University of Guelph It is well documented that stress impacts swine health and negatively affects production, including feed efficiency, growth and meat quality. Read more
Direct Pen Ventilation Retrofit for Nursery Rooms Direct Pen Ventilation Retrofit for Nursery Rooms Project 20-005 - John van de Vegte, OMAFRA This project will demonstrate an innovative ventilation system which fundamentally changes how nursery rooms are ventilated throughout the year. The system concept provides fresh, temperature controlled air directly into the pens where the pigs live. Barn gases are expelled from the nursery room... Read more
Development of evidence-based feeding strategies for lactating sows using novel and evolving feeding technologies Development of evidence-based feeding strategies for lactating sows using novel and evolving feeding technologies Project 20-002 - Dr. Lee-Anne Huber, University of Guelph Dr. Lee-Anne and team intend to “test improvements” in lactating sow feeding programs and technologies in order to support producers as they consider installing precision feeding technologies for (lactating) sows on-farm. Read more
Development of boar taint detection kits using DNA aptamers for use in commercial packing plants. Phase 1: Lab validation Development of boar taint detection kits using DNA aptamers for use in commercial packing plants. Phase 1: Lab validation Project 20-006 - Dr. Maria DeRosa, Carleton University DeRosa has developed aptamers (artificial receptors) for two compounds implicated in boar taint (androstenone and skatole) and a prototype lateral flow device (dipstick test) for use in pig carcass testing. Read more
Development of an vitro / in vivo correlation method to assess the efficiency of oral drug release from medicated feeds in swine Development of an vitro / in vivo correlation method to assess the efficiency of oral drug release from medicated feeds in swine Project 19-004 - Lead Researcher: Dr. Jerome del Castillo, University of Montreal The goal of this project is to develop testing methods that will identify feed ingredients or manufacturing practices that decreases the release of a medication to the pig. The optimization of medicated feed manufacturing will improve its therapeutic efficacy, hasten the recovery of treated... Read more
Development of an in vitro / in vivo correlation method to assess the efficiency of oral drug release from oral medications in swine - Phase 2: Water medication Development of an in vitro / in vivo correlation method to assess the efficiency of oral drug release from oral medications in swine - Phase 2: Water medication Project 21-03 - Dr. Jerome del Castillo Phase 2: Water medication. Project extends the range of tested feedstuffs to those used in the manufacturing of early (1st, 2nd) and late (3rd, 4th) phase weaner diets, determine their abilities to bind the drug molecules of water medications for weaner pigs, and determine the reversibility of... Read more