Research | Ontario Pork • Ontario Pork - Completed Research

Completed Research

Ontario Pork has a call for research proposals once a year. These projects were approved for funding by the board on recommendation of the research committee. If you have questions or need further information about the research posted here please contact Cristiane Mesquita at cristiane.mesquita@ontariopork.on.ca.

Completed Research

Vitamin D3 supplementation in suckling and weaned piglets

Project 12-009 - Researchers: Bob Friendship, University of Guelph, Tim Blackwell, OMAFRA, Terri O’Sullivan, OMAFRA

Piglets given oral vitamin D3 between ages 1-5 days had much higher levels of vitamin D in their blood than non-supplemented piglets when measured 23 days later. Similarly, pigs given oral vitamin D3 at weaning had higher blood levels of vitamin D 28 days after supplementation. ...

Trial study of on-farm point-of-care PRRSV diagnostic test

Project 19-002 - Lead Researcher: Dr. Aarash Sofla, uFluidix Inc. Scarborough, Ontario

The uFluidix PRRSV project is a focused effort to market a system for on-farm test of PRRSV that can be performed by farm staff or vets.

Rodenticide Ingestion in Swine: A Project to Assist Veterinarians with Detection and Establishing Withdrawal Times

Project 11-219 - Researcher: Ron Johnson

Pigs that are suspected of ingesting rodenticide should never be marketed, as the time required for the rodenticide to clear from tissues is impractically long.

Relationship between feed, genetics, health, and growth performance up to market weight in pigs

Project 15-015 - Researchers: Brandon Lillie and Vahab Farzan, University of Guelph

Reduction of the pig production through novel feeding strategies is currently an active research topic. A study by Kees de Lange that was conducted under controlled conditions at the University of Guelph’s Arkell Research Station, indicated that lower-cost, reduced animal-protein...

PRRS Area Regional Control and Elimination

Project 11-010 - Researcher: Jane Carpenter and Lori Moser (OSHAB)

To address the need for information regarding the spread of PRRS virus, the Ontario Swine Health Advisory Board (OSHAB) launched a pilot Area Regional Control and Elimination (ARC & E) program beginning in the Niagara region.

Prevalence of Iron Deficiency in Suckling Piglets

Project 13-012 - Researchers: Bob Friendship and Terri O’Sullivan, University of Guelph

Providing piglets with supplemental iron is a widely adopted practice on modern swine farms. Recently, University of Guelph researchers questioned whether current iron supplementation practices are sufficient for the requirements of the modern pig. They studied piglets on 20 Ontario farms, all...

Pathogen die-off rates following manure application under Ontario field conditions

Project 11-012 - Head Researchers: Ann Huber, Keith Warriner

The project goal was to determine manure management techniques which would reduce pathogen contamination of irrigation water or soils in which food crops are grown. In turn, this could help reduce the risk of food-borne illness.

Pain control for castration and tail docking

Project 11-217 - Researcher: Bob Friendship

Researcher suggests that providing pain relief at processing is effective and inexpensive, however providing local freezing is less ideal due to increased labour costs from added handling and the discomfort caused at the injection site.

Nutritional strategies for improved market hog competitiveness - SIP Initiative

Project 14-009 - Researchers: James Squires, Ira Mandall, Julang Li

Feed cost is by far the greatest cost of pig production (65-70%) and growing-finishing pigs account for about 80% of feed consumed. The continued high cost of feed demonstrates the need to develop cost-effective feeding strategies for growing-finishing pigs to ensure the long-term...

Nitrogen Requirements and Utilization in Growing Pigs: Research into reduced feed costs and environmental impact of nitrogen

Project 11-005 - Lead Researcher: Kees de Lange, University of Guelph

Feed costs are the single largest contributor to the cost of pork production. After energy, amino acids and protein are the largest contributors to nutrient costs of pig diets. Researchers at the University of Guelph investigated the digestibility and efficiency of feeding growing pigs...

Nitrogen euthanasia using a Dutch commercial unit – miniNOFF

Project 19-003 - Lead Researcher: Dr. Sue Burlatschenko, Ecovet Ltd.

This project looked at the effectiveness of straight nitrogen gas compared to carbon dioxide for effective and humane euthanasia option for pigs.

Minimum duration of teat use required in first lactation to ensure optimal milk yield in second lactation

Project 13-001 - Researchers: Dr. Chantal Farmer (AAFC) and Dr. Bob Friendship, University of Guelph

With the combination of lean genetics and hyperprolific sows, producers may be faced with the challenge of first parity sows becoming too thin during lactation, which can reduce their future reproductive performance and longevity in the herd. To alleviate this problem, producers...

Maximizing high value pigs at weaning with the use of an inexpensive supplemental milk feeder

Project 14-005 - Lead Researcher: Tim Blackwell and Cristiane Mesquita, OMAFRA

This project was undertaken to develop a cost-effective milk replacer feeding system to minimize labour and investment for producers interested in feeding milk replacer.

Impact of a specialized feeding regime for replacement gilts on lactation performance

Project 18-007- Lead Resesarcher: Robert Friendship, University of Guelph

Sow milk production is becoming increasingly important with the use of hyperprolific sows and resulting large litters. The use of a high fibre feeding program fed ad libitum can be utilized to control the growth of developing gilts without impairing subsequent lactation performance.

Identifying the Cause of Death and Factors Associated with Hogs that Perish in Transit

Project 12-019 and 13-006 - Researcher: Kathy Zurbrigg

The actual cause of in-transit losses of swine is complex as they are likely the result of a combination of risk factors and situations the pigs may have been exposed to. The commonly cited risks of high temperature and stocking density are part of the problem but do not fully explain all...

Identification selection and improved utilization of superior boars for pork production

Project 11-208 - Researcher: Michael Dyck

Boars in the Canadian breeding herd are frequently evaluated based on semen quality, not on an individual fertility basis. This may result in the use of boars with subpar fertility, leaving plenty of room for improvement in Canadian genetics.

Gestation and lactation feeding strategies for increased performance of sows

Project 11-213 - Researcher: Paul Luimes

To study improved production related to feeding during gestation and lactation, researchers from University of Guelph Ridgetown campus compared several strategies.

Evaluation of Compounding Iron-dextran with NSAIDs for Use in Piglets at Time of Castration

Project 13-003 - Researcher: Ron Johnson

As of July 1, 2016 the Canadian Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs states that piglets must be provided with appropriate pain control during castration and tail docking. The timing of these procedures often coincides with iron supplementation for piglets, leading many producers...

Evaluation of analgesia efficacy in piglets undergoing castration and processing through the scoring of pain related behaviours

Project 14-006 - Researcher: Dr. Pat Turner

Facial behaviours such as ear position, are increasingly being used to assess pain in animals. The development of a facial behaviour scale could lead to an easy and quick way to help producers to determine subtle cases when an animal is in pain and needs treatment.

Establishing sensitivity and specificity of using rope samples (saliva) to test for PRRS virus antibodies

Project 17-016 - Lead Researcher: Dr. Tim Blackwell

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) causes disease and economic losses on swine farms. Producers strive to eradicate the virus if geographically feasible or “stabilize” the sow herd through vaccination or intentional field virus exposure. A cornerstone of any PRRS...

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