Tag: swine

Lean pork

I demand! Lean Pork Please…

A glimpse within the growth hormone regulation of protein metabolism in pigs.

By Victor Allen M. Anas, DVM

 

The increase in consumer demand for lean meat has stimulated the need for technologies to reduce fat and increase lean in meat animals. Swine experts in genetics, nutrition and physiology have employed their respective fields of technology to achieve the continuing goal of the swine industry to produce fast growing pigs and increase the quantity of high-quality lean carcass. Supplementing growth hormone an anabolic agent increases muscle mass in pigs, while also improving the rate and efficiency in growth were demonstrated by various studies. Growth Hormone (GH) also known as Somatotropin (ST) viewed as the master hormone that regulates growth and performance has been shown to have impressive effects on nutrient partitioning between muscle and adipose tissue that leads to dramatic alterations in the growth of the tissues.

GH has markedly influenced Protein metabolism. Generally, growth hormone stimulates protein anabolism in many tissues. This effect reflect increased amino acid uptake, increased protein synthesis and decreased oxidation of proteins. One of the most important ways that it affects protein metabolism is to increase retention of nitrogen by the body. The loss of nitrogen into the urine as urea or other nitrogenous waste products is diminished indicating retention within the body. In addition, another and possibly more important effect of GH is to increase cell permeability to amino acids thereby favoring a buildup of the muscle mass of the body. Evidence suggests that GH favors protein synthesis by gene activation, mRNA synthesis and ribosomal RNA and transfer RNA production by liver cell. Continue reading “Lean pork”

Organic Livestock and Poultry Farming

Organic Livestock and Poultry Farming

BY  CABMELA  ABAYGAR

Here’s an in-depth look at the world of organic farming for both livestock and organic.

Organic farmers should promote animal well-being throughout the farm. This may be done by minimizing physical and psychological stress on the animals and reducing the incidence of disease. Also, when animals are not stressed, veterinary bills are reduced and meat tenderness is maintained.

Pain  and stress relief Conventional farming practices such as castrating, marking and mulesing, if it cannot be avoided, should be kept to a minimum.

Physical alternations should be provided as needed to promote the animal’s welfare and in a manner that reduces pain and stress. Anesthetics lidocaine and procaine are allowed to be used for pain reduction. Chlorohexidine is also allowed for surgical procedures conducted by a veterinarian, as well as a number of other topical disinfectants.

Also, stress during handling can be minimized by reducing noise and not rushing stock through gateways.

Animals also experience stress when in transport going to market and during slaughter. Stress must be minimized during this period. Slaughter must be done quickly and without unnecessary stress. Animals should not be placed in an area where slaughter of other animals can be seen.

Living conditions

The farm should have living conditions for animals such that their needs for free movement, food, water, shelter and shade are provided. Also, the farmer must be aware of the animals’ specific natural behavior patterns. Living conditions that accommodate the health and natural behavior of the animals should be provided. Continue reading “Organic Livestock and Poultry Farming”

African swine fever outbreak in Russia

source:pigprogress.com

An outbreak of the African swine fever virus in Russia’s North Caucasus republic of North Ossetia has so far killed 1,076 pigs, the regional emergency service said on Wednesday.

“A total of 27 pigs have died in the past 24 hours,” the statement said.

The outbreak was registered on June 30 and more than 3,400 pigs have been culled since. 7,500 potentially-infected animals have yet to be put down.

Preliminary reports said that the infection may have been brought in by wild pigs. The virus can survive for up to 15 weeks in raw pork, and up to six months in processed meat. The virus, which causes lethal hemorrhagic disease in pigs, does not pose a threat to humans.

Personnel have been deployed to guard the province’s border, to ensure that no pork products are taken out of North Ossetia, which has approximately 115,000 domestic pigs.

Swine raising business / Hog Production Business

Swine raising business / Hog Production Business

Swine raising is an age old backyard business in the Philippines. Currently about 70% of the swine industry is composed of small raiser / backyard raisers. And way back 2004 the Philippines is in the top 20 countries in terms of sow population. It only shows how we Filipino love to eat pork. And swine raising is a good business or sideline to invest .

There are many breeds of swine in the Philippines, the most common are landrace, largewhite, pietrain and duroc.

Landrace are good sows. They are white in color and have slender, long body and an ears that are drooping. They produce good litters and they are also good milkers. Sometimes they have weak legs.

Largewhite are also good sow/mother. They are more rounded and have ears which are erect. They are also white and in color.

Continue reading “Swine raising business / Hog Production Business”