Outdoor

Aims and objectives

The current method of dispatch for this size of casualty animal is with a priest, full-size captive bolt, or use of a shot gun. Both these methods are difficult for the operator and have health and safety issues. The objectives of this project were therefore:

• To establish a practical, mechanical and repeatable method of humanely dispatching casualty pigs to prevent further avoidable distress to all concerned
• To evaluate the short-bolt captive bolt stunner system for ease of operation, safety and effective humane euthanasia of piglets from 0-5kg.

Findings

This particular piece of equipment has proven efficient for euthanising piglets weighing up to 5kg and under 21 days of age. The producers involved in the project have reported that, provided a 1 grain load shot is used, the process is completed safely and in a welfare-friendly manner at all times. Use of a higher rated shot is unnecessary. Provided the producer has already got the cash captive bolt gun, it is easy to swap to the knocker, and the staff involved had no issues with this. 

Application to industry

The intention is to extend this trial further, up to a piglet weight of 10kg in the first instance. Currently, euthanising piglets over 5kg involves captive bolts or other methods, which can present a health and safety risk for the stockpeople, given the need to restrain the piglets. Input from Red Tractor (RT) and the Pig Veterinary Society (PVS) is currently being sought, as adherence to Casualty Pig regulations, which is required as part of the RT pig standards, does not allow blunt force trauma to be used on pigs weighing more than 5kg.

Project duration: 12 months

This project is 'Evaluating the practice of weighing gilts at two stages of their cycle, for identifying gilts most at risk from a 2nd litter drop and so depressed lifetime performance'.

The project intends to demonstrate that the technology of ESFs, long proven in feeding indoor sows, can be successfully adapted and deployed onto outdoor systems.

Benefits from ESF on outdoor herds may include

• More efficient feed usage
• Reduced feed manufacturing/ration costs

Aims and objectives

The objective of this project was to investigate whether strip grazing farrowing paddocks, through moving individual farrowing pens onto fresh ground for each litter, would contribute to improved performance.

This was proposed as most outdoor units see a production boost when they move onto fresh sites, and the strip grazing system would theoretically mimic this benefit on a longer-term basis.

The system

Following successful implementation on a few farrowing pens, the whole unit is now managed in a controlled way, meaning that at any one time the unit has 50% grass cover.

Each of the farrowing, weaner and dry sow paddocks have a ‘mirror’ section alongside them and the paddocks are ‘flipped’ every three to four months, meaning the pigs go onto fresh land. Excess manure is removed from the vacated paddock, which is then levelled, cultivated and re-sown with a grass sward mixture.

Regrowth usually establishes quickly on the sandy land and has a covering of grass within around a month, locking nutrients into the soil and minimising wind and water erosion. The controlled traffic management is key, as the recovering sites aren’t driven over and this reduces potential compaction and ruts.

Findings

Some of the benefits from this system include reduced wind and soil erosion (on what is a sandy and exposed site), along with controlled traffic management, which helps to maintain the soil structure across the site.

In terms of production benefits, there has been a noticeable improvement to piglet health, from farrowing through to the weaner stage. It is believed this is due to the reduction in disease achieved by flipping the paddocks every few months. The system has also made day-to-day management easier for staff.

Wildlife numbers have increased since introducing this new system and some additional meadow and flower mixes have been established on the perimeter of the pig fields; this has been welcomed by organisations who monitor wildlife in the area.

For more information contact Andrew Palmer, KE Manager East: Andrew.palmer@ahdb.org.uk

Project duration: 2013 – 2016 

Background

Reproductive performance in the outdoor sector has remained suboptimal for some time. There are a number of reasons for this, one of which, as feedback from the industry has demonstrated, is a need for a well-designed AI area. 

This trial was commissioned to design a new AI area which would provide the correct environment for sows during heat detection and insemination, while conferring a high degree of labour efficiency. An additional requirement was for the new AI area to be easily dismantled and transported for when the site is moved. 

Aims and objectives

To examine the use of an alternative system for artificial insemination of outdoor sows focusing on:

• More efficient use of labour
• Providing an optimised environment for the artificial insemination of sows on outdoor units
• Providing a more pleasant environment for staff to work in during extreme of weather (eg sun, rain, wind). 

Findings

Statistical analysis was carried out on both the farrowing percentage and ‘total born’ figures, in order to identify whether using the AI pod had a significant impact on either parameter.

• No significant impact on farrowing percentage was detected (P>0.05)
• The average farrowing percentage for the AI pod during the final 10 months of the trial was 1% higher than that of the conventional system
• There was no statistically significant difference detected in total born numbers (P>0.05)
• The average total born numbers across the course of the trial (where genotypes were the same and once the initial issues were solved with serving non-standing sows) varied by only 0.1 pigs total born per litter. 

Although no significant difference was noted between performance and labour use on the two units, it is important to clarify that the second unit (without the AI pod) represents a ‘model’ example of outdoor AI facilities. It has a properly designed, dedicated AI tent, with a well laid out penning system, along with provision of boar contact both during and after AI. 

Does the AI pod provide more efficient use of labour?

Labour use seems to be the same across both systems. 

Does the AI pod provide an optimised environment for the artificial insemination of sows on outdoor units?

The process seems more efficient and calmer, but has not significantly impacted on performance figures (either negatively or positively). 

Does the AI pod provide a more pleasant environment for staff to work in during extreme weather?

Yes. The AI pod provides more protection and a more orderly working environment. The staff who have worked in the AI pod are very positive about it. 

Costings

The cost of the AI pod is approximately £9,000 – 11,000, dependent on specification. One unit chose to erect a tent next to the AI pod to use as a ‘holding area’ for post-mating boar contact, this cost an additional £2,500.

• Download the full report
• Download pink pages article on AI Pod

For further information on this project contact Andrew Palmer or Angela Cliff at AHDB Pork.

Watch the AI pod in action

AI innovation could aid performance in outdoor herds (Rattlerow Farms Ltd. October 2013)

http://rattlerow.co.uk/breeding/ai-innovation-could-aid-performance-in-outdoor-herds/

Project duration: 12 months (due to finish July 2015)

The producer is very happy with the performance of the false floors and is sourcing more of the plastic sheets to use across the rest of the unit.

Both the scaffold boards and plastic material made an improvement to straw usage and labour, with the plastic flooring showing the best performance in the producer’s opinion.

The plastic flooring is lightweight, non-absorbent and easy to clean.

An example of one of its benefits is that on one occasion, after 42mm of rain in two hours, all of the unit’s huts needed straw the following day a part from the huts with the false floors.

Project duration: 12 months (due to finish August 2015)

The aim of this project was to devise a method of minimising the stress on piglets at the same time as improving working conditions for staff while piglets were being handled, for example at vaccination.

Following a number of prototypes, a piglet sorter built from stockboard was developed and fixed to the yard. The piglets move into the sorter from the trailer in groups of 10-12. They enter into pen one, where they receive their first vaccination and are marked, and then move into the second pen to receive a second vaccination and different colour mark. Before being released from the sorter the piglets are checked and if necessary removed for any medical treatments.

The system has the following benefits:

• Piglets never have to be picked up
• The pens have drop-down flaps to allow better access by stock people, enabling them to remain in a normal standing position while vaccinating
• Piglets are at a more suitable height for observation
• The system can be easily cleaned
• It can be put under shelter in bad weather
• The system facilitates quick moving and handling of piglets as someone on the trailer moves groups of piglets up to the sorter while two batches are being treated
• Vet and med equipment can be set out ready without risk of being disturbed by animals and doesn't need to be moved around

Project duration: 9 months

The aim of this project was to trial an innovative feed hopper design to ad lib feed outdoor lactating sows. The main aim was to reduce feed waste through vermin and birds as well as reducing wastage from feeding sows on the ground. There should also be a reduction in overall labour usage due to mechanical filling of the hopper being required only every 4-5 days.

Feed usage in farrowing pens with ad lib hoppers was compared with current on-floor feed usage in identical farrowing pens. Litter weights were recorded at weaning as was time utilisation for feeding using the two comparable systems.

Results

• The trial ran for twelve batches from May 2012 until the end of January 2013
• The most immediate improvement observed was the time spent feeding the individual sows, with hoppers only needing replenishing twice a week
• The amount of food saved across the trial period was around 13kg per gilt

The aim was to assess the need for handling boards on pig units and to investigate why they are used with more success on some units than others. Three separate areas of the farm were considered:

• Weaned sow area
• Weaner pig area
• Farrowing area

The main observations from this field trial were:

• A central handle is important
• Keep the number of indentations and cavities to a minimum to reduce the amount of mud/muck sticking to the boards and making them easier to keep clean
• Boards need to be robust and lightweight
• Storage is key - the boards need to be easy for staff to grab and safely stored so they don't get damaged
• Abundance of boards - there need to be sufficient boards in convenient and practical locations

Although every stockperson has their own preferences on board size, and the most appropriate board will differ depending on the area of the farm, what needs to be highlighted is the time and stress saving to both animal and staff when handling boards are used correctly.

Project duration: 12 months (due to finish July 2015)

Aims and objectives

• To trial easy access ‘feed windows’ within the back of modified dry sow arcs
• To determine whether performance, health and COP can be improved through effective feed delivery

The innovative aspect of this trial is the easy access feed window which sits within the back of the modified dry sow arc. As the feeder pulls up, the arm touches the release lever on the window and allows part of the ration to be blown into hut 1, hut 2 receives its full ration before returning to hut 1 to deliver the remainder.

Because the inside of the hut is nice and dry there is no feed wastage or competition for feed as the sows have established a natural order which allows the correct feed curve to be followed.

The plan is to place the modified huts in alternate pens to allow us to run a comparison trial with huts that don't have the easy access window so these sows will be ground fed as normal. By doing this we can gauge the impact of feed wastage, birds etc.

Application to industry

By supplying modified dry sow arcs with easy access feed windows it is hoped that the following positive outcomes will be seen:

• Less aggression, as sows are not having to seek out the feed in mud
• A significant reduction in feed wastage, as it will save around 20kg per pen per day (140kg per pen per week)
• A large reduction in bird activity, as the birds won't be able to get to the food
• A potential health benefit, as the beds will be cleaner
• Cleaner beds should lead to a reduction in straw usage
•         With sows/gilts consuming the right levels of feed there is potential for improved BA and litter size.

Observations to date

• Reduction in bird activity
• Improved ground cover
• Reduction in aggression and vulva biting
• Currently no change in the straw usage, but will monitor as we move into winter
• No real change in conception rates, they are still around the 90% mark (pigs are held inside until they are scanned in pig though)
• Sows are going into farrowing with a Body Condition Score (BCS) range of 3.0 – 3.5

Project duration: 12 months

The objective of the trial is to find another method of offering water to outdoor sows with the additional benefits of it being clean fresh water, rather than a wallow trough which can become contaminated.

Project achievements during 2013-2014

• The project has been extended due to sows being moved to a new field as part of the rotation
• As troughs were thoroughly cleaned during the move, the results will be initially unrepresentative of a ‘typical’ trough which has been in situ for some time, hence the extension to the project
• Production data from both the system on trial and typical wallow troughs is being recorded, including weaner weights
• Early results suggest an improvement in pig performance from the system on trial but final results are awaited before any firm conclusions can be made.

Hopefully this project will demonstrate how an alternative method of delivering water to outdoor sows can improve conception rates, numbers born alive and weaning weights in outdoor sows.

For further information on this project contact Andrew Palmer at AHDB Pork.