Evaluation and improvement of Streptococcus suis bacterins in sows
Molecular characterization of Streptococcus suis isolates recovered from Ontario nursery pigs between 2013 and 2018
The wide distribution of virulence associated factor genes in S. suis isolates suggests that host factors such as tonsil microbiome, and pig genetic markers as well as different farm related factors may contribute to S. suis disease development. In addition, the diversity of mobile genetic elements carrying antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in S. Suis isolates […]
Reducing pathogens and greenhouse gas emissions from swine manure using anaerobic digestion
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 throughout the range of OLR investigated. The PFR was able to stably operate and produce biogas […]
Efficacy of Exogenous Alkaline Phosphatases to improve growth performance in pigs
Pig gut endogenous alkaline phosphatase functionality is deficient and insufficient, particularly in the weaning stage, to detoxify gut luminal endotoxins and optimize gut microbiome and digestive functions. This research project investigated the efficacy, biological working mechanisms and environmental impacts of dietary supplementation of optimal levels of the exogenous feed alkaline phosphatases as novel microbial gut […]
Early diarrhea syndrome and vitamin D
The majority of suckling pig diarrhea occurs between three and seven days after birth and is associated with specific pathogenic bacteria or viruses. Much less common is diarrhea that occurs in suckling pigs within 48 hours of birth where neither pathogenic bacteria nor viruses are identified. Researchers have been unable to reproduce the syndrome in […]
Optimizing an infection model for E.coli diarrhea in newly weaned pigs
The most obvious impacts of enterotoxigenic E. coli post weaning diarrhea (ETEC-PWD) are the economic losses, significant reduction in animal welfare, and indirect increase in use of antimicrobials. A precise infection model is required to evaluate the potential impact of alternative methods such probiotics and vaccines on controlling enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) diarrhea in pigs. […]
Protein and non-protein methionine requirements for first parity gestating and lactating sows
The NRC (2012) based estimated methionine requirements for gestating and lactating sows from very few studies, with a focus on the retention of methionine in maternal, fetal, and milk proteins. These estimates do not take into account the metabolism of the modern sow (many studies are over 50 years old) or the ‘non-protein’ roles of […]
Effect of genetic stress susceptibility on pork meat quality
Pigs in production face all kinds of stress, including social stress (e.g., from feeding competition and aggression) and environmental stress (e.g., extreme temperatures, tight spaces and novel environments). It is well-established that stress affects an animal’s immune system and general health. In addition, stress also affects animal growth performance and the quality of meat for […]
Development of boar taint detection kits using DNA aptamers for use in commercial packing plants. Phase I: Lab validation
Boar taint is an offensive odour in meat from non-castrated male pigs caused by specific chemical compounds present in the fat tissue. Most consumers can detect this offensive odour or taste during the cooking or consumption of pork, thus it is necessary for pork producers to use strategies to manage boar taint (typically castration). Fear […]
Big data and GPU accelerated data science for high-throughput carcass and pork quality phenotyping
Objectives: The project resulted in satisfying both objectives by augmenting the size of the existing AAFC phenomics database with more than 3,000 new images and developing a series of analytic and automated segmentation approaches for marbling and identification + separation of hams, shoulders and loins from background in digital images. The project explored the impact […]
