RESEARCH EFFORTS TO REDUCE BABY PIG LOSSES Ronald S. Kensinger Associate Professor Animal Nutrition/ Physiology Defining The Problem During the past decade, my laboratory group has studied vari ous aspects of mammary develop ment and regulation of milk syn thesis in the sow mammary gland Much of this research was rather fundamental in nature, meaning that we have learned a lot about changes in important cells and molecules within the mammary glands which must occur for suc cessful lactation. CUT INTO WOOD, NOT YOUR FREE TIME STIHL Number One Worldwide Available at these servicing dealers Airviiie Sac Palmyra WOODBINE MOWER & GAP POWER WEAVER’S LAWN & SAW CO. 1265 Woodbln* Rd. 717-862-3271 Bechtelsville PASSMORE SERVICE CENTER, INC. 110« Rout* 100 610-367-9084 Dallastown TRI-BORO CONCRETE, INC, 435 LoeuM St. 717-246-3095 1-600-632-9016 East Earl GOODS LAWN & GARDEN CENTER Raul* 23 717-354-4026 Ext. 34 Elizabethtown MESSICK FARM EQUIPMENT, INC. Rhmnw Exlt-Rt. 263 Ellnbathtown, PA 717-367-1319,717-663-6667 Eohrata WES STAUFFER ENGINES & EQUIPMENT 23 Plaaaant Vallty Rd. 717-738-4215 HOLLINGER’S lawn & „ GARDEN EQUIP. Ephrata, Pa. 717-736-1131 u 717-656-2710 Hershay, PA 717-933-4060 DISTRIBUTED BY KEYSTONE STIHL Last year, however, we initiated an exciting research project to learn more about the underlying causes of lactation failure in swine herds. In a state with such a large dairy industry, it may not be obvi ous that adequate milk production is essential for efficient production of all livestock species, including swine. The issue is best illustrated with the following statistics: • Sows give birth to an average of 10 live pigs per litter, yet wean only about eight This loss is very significant given that a swine pro ducer has already invested the rearing costs through puberty and the maintenance cost of that sow’s pregnancy by the time the pigs are bom. To remain in the swine pro duction business in an increasingly difficult market producers must THE STIHL 021 A powerful, lightweight saw for work In the yard, on the farm or In the deep woods. The Stihl 021 cute your free mlc ignition with lifetime warranty. • Quickstep™ Inertia Chain Brake •Automatic chain oiling EQUIPMENT Comar of Rt. 30 6 Rt. M 7 717-442-8970 Hamburg SHARTLESVILLE FARM SERVICE RD 1, Box 1302 610-466-1025 Jonestown BLUE MOUNTAIN ENTERPRISES, INC. Rt. 72 South 717-665-2994 BOMBERGER’S LAWN & GARDEN wwl IBwl gIVTTII . MARTIN HARDWARE & Lltltz: 7ir«2M301 EQUIPMENT CO. Lebanon; 717-272-4155 Rt Ml , l/2 MU(I go^h I nw.ulll./rorltala ol SchMfhfatown, FA GUTSHALL’S INC. LoycvHl*. FA • C«rll*l* 717-755-4343 717-249-2313 Mverstown EBLING lawn & GARDEN SERVICE •ME. LincolnAv*. 717-E6M720 Oxford ENFIELD EQUIPMENT MOO LlnwMon* Rd. 510-932-8555 HERR’S REPAIR SHOP RD 2, Box 115 A 717-835-1549 time. GrtcjOf today. V f 1 1 •2.97 cubic inchae • Easy starting ‘Lightweight GARDEN 740 W. Main St. 717-638-5999 EAGLE RENTAL CENTER Rt. 272 Raamatown Traffic Ughl 717-336-3945 Ronks A & B SALES & SERVICE 370 Nawport Road 2 Mila* South of Rt. 23 Along 772 Thru Montaray LEINBACH FARM EQUIP. 1120Rlln*rHwy. 717-532-5511 CHARLES S. SNYDER, INC. RD 3 717-386-5945 ENFIELD EQUIPMENT INC. 720 Wh**l*r School Rd. 301-879-5090 Ronald S. Kensinger save every pig possible. • Baby pigs can die from a num ber of different causes, but most relate to the initial milk production of the sow. Each pig is bom with very little energy stored in its body. In fact, it has only a small fraction of the energy stored as fat compared to what can be found in a newborn calf or human infant. And since pigs have little hair covering their bodies, they must receive energy quickly after birth to main In the Year 2#44j this Mortoa BdiMiiio wHi stW be Warranted AptihMt Snow-Load Dama^ei Check Own warranty Features: AeriMt Now-toad Cm* to tlw iirvcwa win nt wMpn m N|HMt dray w hiMct attack m priMPvaOvi tPMUd nknui Ml praiarvattn tnatid tandMi 1 . N|M>t pml Pint hnMta| MM|> IpMt wfd Md dM—o to wr wm no wM vatadty ML B-Mr PpmcOm Anfewt wind toad dMMM to On atractura wMi no wind vatodty Mdt. HI Mf—HW— inHinto mifrlalt nd Uop Ml aca not proratod. CALL TODAY: tain body temperature or they will become chilled and die. This ener gy comes in the form of colostrum, or first milk, produced by the sow at farrowing. The energy in the colostrum provides a second equally important function to the pigs the energy to keep them mentally alert and to power their skeletal muscles so they can get out of the way when Mom decides to lay down. Failure to get out of the way leads to a problem known as “flat pig syndrome” a euphemism for being crushed by the sow. It is true in these cases that the death was caused by the physi cal trauma, but the real cause likely was insufficient milk production by the sow. • A third essential function of the energy in colostrum is that it provides the newborn pigs with energy to keep suckling. These pigs will generally suckle about once every hour, and there may be considerable fighting to get to the most desirable teats. Often, a small pig will lose several fights before it can find an available teat Since the process of milk let-down in a sow is very brief, a piglet must find an available teat quickly or miss a meal. • Colostrum and milk provide at least a dozen other important attri butes for baby mammals, too many to describe here. However, a key Security ft Peace of IVBnd Morton Buildings, Inc. enjoys an enviable position in the financial community. We have a SAI rating from Dun & Bradstreet... its their highest rating, for both credit appraisal and financial strength. You can b 6 assured of our performance and support during construction and throughout your warranty period. Call today for the location of a sales office nearest you! BOO-447-7436 working with a dealership and MAPTrtll lets you take advantage of |TlVl»l UN our pride and committment DMII |\||J/1C to service and workmanship. <D 1994 Morton Buildings Int Every Morton Building is backed by the strongest written warranties in the industry. When you build with Morton Buildings, you have direct involvement with us, every step of the way. All of our sales people, office personnel, plant workers, engineers, estimators, architects and construction crews are employed directly by Morton Buildings, Inc. This teamwork concept eliminates the uncertainties of 717/624-3331 908/454-7900 3368 York Rd., Gettysburg, PA 17325 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 18, 1995-C3 characteristic of colostrum is that it is loaded with maternal antibodies which are absorbed intact into the baby pig’s bloodstream. This is another fascinating feat designed by Mother Nature to provide new born mammals with a ready “pack age of protection” against foreign particles present in a particular environment Armed with suffi cient antibodies and energy, all derived from colostrum, a new born pig can make the rough trans ition to life outside its mother. For a number of different reasons, the sow may not provide baby pigs with enough colostrum to get through this transitional period. The underlying causes of insuffi cient colostrum and milk produc tion are the focus of our research. Lactation failure really is any problem leading to insufficient milk production by the sow that results in pigs that fail to thrive. Lactation failure was previously described as the mastitis/metritis/ agalactia syndrome, or MMA. Recently, it has become clear that lactation failure can often occur in cases where there is no evidence of mastitis or metritis. What is clear is that there can be many causes of this important pro- P.O. Box 126, PhiHipsburg, NJ 08865 What Causes Lactation Failure? (Turn to Pago C 4)
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers