Research Examines Options for Extending Use of Stall Sow Housing

New research into the behavior of gestating sows will be of interest to pork producers planning to continue using stall housing beyond 2024. As part of research conducted by the University of Saskatchewan and the Prairie Swine Centre to help pork producers prepare for new requirements due to come into effect for gestating sows housed in stalls beyond 2024 under the Canadian Pig Code of Practice, scientists have found stall housed sows given 10 minutes of exercise per week appeared to be more comfortable, stereotypic behavior decreased and, among older parity sows, the number of stillborn piglets decreased.

 

Dr. Yolande Seddon, an Assistant Professor of Swine Behaviour and Welfare with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Swine Welfare, says these findings are important considering producers unable to convert to group housing by 2024 are being given an option to continue the operation of stall barns.

 

 

I think it's important  to understand, how does that influence the sow because, if there is no benefit to the sow, it would lead to questions as to why this recommendation is in place because potentially there could be alternative approaches to improve or enhance the welfare of the sow remaining in a stall.

 

In particular we looked at exercise because simply providing a greater freedom of movement has already been studied in the sense of the turn around stall.

 

I think the sow being in close confinement was also a contentious issue so it's important to understand the benefits and the ability to improve sow welfare by actually physically removing her from the stall and providing her with an opportunity to exercise and have a greater freedom of movement, stretch her legs, explore her environment.

Video: Swine Industry Advances: Biodigesters Lower Emissions and Increase Profits

Analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG emissions) in the Canadian swine sector found that CH4 emissions from manure were the largest contributor to the overall emissions, followed by emissions from energy use and crop production.

This innovative project, "Improving Swine Manure-Digestate Management Practices Towards Carbon Neutrality With Net Zero Emission Concepts," from Dr. Rajinikanth Rajagopal, under Swine Cluster 4, seeks to develop strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

While the management of manure can be very demanding and expensive for swine operations, it can also be viewed as an opportunity for GHG mitigation, as manure storage is an emission source built and managed by swine producers. Moreover, the majority of CH4 emissions from manure occur during a short period of time in the summer, which can potentially be mitigated with targeted intervention.

In tandem with understanding baseline emissions, Dr. Rajagopal's work focuses on evaluating emission mitigation options. Manure additives have the potential of reducing manure methane emissions. Additives can be deployed relatively quickly, enabling near-term emission reductions while biodigesters are being built. Furthermore, additives can be a long-term solution at farms where biogas is not feasible (e.g., when it’s too far from a central digester). Similarly, after biodigestion, additives can also be used to further reduce emissions from storage to minimize the carbon intensity of the bioenergy.