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 Jessica Fox at jessica.fox@swinehealthontario.ca

Completed Research

Post farrowing sow behaviour and its relationship to crushing

Project 21-07 - Tim Blackwell, OMAFRA

This pilot study is designed to investigate sow behaviour in the first 72 hours after farrowing when the majority of crushings occur.

Ultrasonographic determination of chemical composition and physical properties of meat in fattener pigs

Project 21-04 - Pawel Bartlewski, University of Guelph

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...

Optimizing an infection model for E. coli diarrhea in newly weaned pigs

Project 21-02 - Vahab Farzan, University of Guelph

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,...

Early diarrhea syndrome and vitamin D

Project 20-08 - Tim Blackwell, OMAFRA

Although initially there was an early clinical impression that the yogurt treatment had decreased the incidence of diarrhea, this was later attributed to weekly variation in syndrome severity. It was suggested by the manufacturer of the Wean-D product that the addition of vitamin D could...

Improving post-weaning performance of nursery pigs through a feeding system designed to be compatible with normal weaned pig feeding behavior

Project 20-007 - 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.

Beta Prototypes of Improved Euthanasia Chamber to Support Commercialization

Project 20-004 - John van de Vegte, OMAFRA

A prototype of an improved euthanasia chamber for non-viable piglets was developed under Project 18-005. This project is the next phase and intends to fully test chamber for commercial release.

A pilot study to identify common pig to feeder space ratios in Ontario nursery and finisher barns and investigate their relationship to productivity and welfare

Project 19-007 - Tim Blackwell, OMAFRA

This study looks to identify both common and appropriate pig to feeder space ratios as well as factors that drive appropriate pen utilization will improve swine productivity and welfare on Ontario swine farms.

Evaluation and improvement of Streptococcus suis bacterins

Project 19-006 - Mariela Segura, 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,...

Molecular characterization of Streptococcus suis isolates recovered from Ontario nursery pigs between 2013 and 2018: Towards development of an effective vaccine

Project 19-005 - 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.

Development of an vitro / in vivo correlation method to assess the efficiency of oral drug release from medicated feeds in swine

Project 19-004 - 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...

Nitrogen euthanasia using a Dutch commercial unit – miniNOFF

Project 19-003 - Sue Burlatschenko, Goshen Ridge Veterinary Services

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

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

Project 19-002 - Aarash Sofla, uFluidix Inc.

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.

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

Project 18-007- 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.

Barn gas monitoring with automated ventilation control

Project 18-06 - John Van de Vegte, OMAFRA

Farrowing, nursery and finishing barns do require a designed ventilation system to manage air quality within the pig housing areas. Ventilation system performance is optimized through the use of a sophisticated ventilation system controller that must include automated static pressure management.

CO2 Euthanasia System with Improved Process Control

Project 18-005- John Van de Vegte, OMAFRA

Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas is commonly used as gas in on-farm euthanasia systems. This method is intended to provide a low stress event for both the pigs and the stockpeople managing the process. The system is an alternative for those who do not feel comfortable with the use of a zephyr/captive...

Assessing carcass variability in Ontario pork and the potential to increase returns to producers and improve pork quality

Project 18-003 - Benjamin Bohrer, University of Guelph

Dr. Bohrer will be the first researcher examining use of an advanced ultrasonic image analyzer (AutoFom III; Denmark) in a commercial Canadian pork facility (Conestoga Meat Processors) for determination of lean yield.

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

Project 17-016 - Tim Blackwell, OMAFRA

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...

Strategies for detoxifying vomitoxin using innovative chemical and biological approaches in post-weaning piglets

Project 17-022 - Joshua Gong, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

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,...

Establishing value/utility of soluble CD163 as a biomarker for predicting PRRS-induced disease severity in swine herds

Project 17-011 - 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...

Reducing pathogens and greenhouse gas emissions from swine manure using anaerobic digestion

Project 17-006 - Brandon Gilroyed, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus

This project investigated process performance of a plugflow reactor (PFR) configuration co-digesting swine manure and biomass pellets. Although organic matter reduction efficiency decreased with an increase in organic loading rate (OLR) and total solids (TS), process stability was evident...

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