C4-L«nc«ster Farming, Saturday, March 18, 1995 (Continued from Pag* C 3) duction problem. Some sows may complete the process of farrowing and simply lose the ability to sec rete oxytocin from special tissue at the base of the brain. Because stress can interfere with oxytocin release, the trauma associated with farrowing may prevent the sow from releasing the oxytocin that is present, which means she will not release the milk stored in the alveolar units of her mammary glands. Many producers have found an injection of oxytocin a day or two after farrowing to be very helpful in establishing milk flow. Once the pigs get a few meals, they are more likely to be more vigorous in mas saging the udder to induce the sow to release her own oxytocin. This stress-induced failure to secrete oxytocin can occur in cases where there is no evidence of infection in the sow. A second potential cause of lactation failure is an insufficient rate of secretion of prolactin due to the presence of an infection in the sow. We know that certain infec tions (such as mastitis) can cause lactation fai lure. but we do not often know when these occur, and we do not know how frequently insuffi cient prolactin secretion is involved. A third potential cause of lactation failure may be low prolactin secretion in the absence of any infectious agent Literature shows low serum prolactin in sows which did not produce milk very well, but the cause of this problem is unknown. The trial which we are perform ing here at Penn State is a collaborative experi ment in which we are trying to establish the frequency of different causes of lactation fai lure in swine herds. The Penn State Study With the help of two veterinarians, Robert Gray bill (Lancaster) and Peggy Hawkins (Elizabethtown), we are collecting samples from various Pennsylvania farms. Mike Miller, vice president of swine oper ations at White Oak Mills, has allowed us to work with their sows. The objective of the research is to identify the frequency with which the problems described above occur. To perform this work, we must identify litters of struggling pigs, obtain blood from the sow within IS minutes of a nursing episode, and for comparison purposes also obtain blood from a healthy herdmate in the same room. We will deter mine the concentrations of oxytocin, prolactin, and cytokines in the samples collected. The cytokines we will mea sure are substances released . from white blood cells of animals £-/-£-/-0 invaded anywhere by a fore ign substance. The findings will tell us if, in fact, some infection is present This information can then be used to design more effective management strategies to both pre vent and treat these problems. We need survey data from large numbers of cases to know the fre quencies of the different causes, because the approach to solve the problem will be different, depend ing on the specific cause of the problem. What is the value of this work? The first benefit is the ability to wean a larger number of pigs per farrowing group, which can lead to increased sales of feeder pigs or market weight hogs. The second tangible benefit is the dilution of overhead costs associated with weaning a larger number of pigs per sow maintained. In addition to these economic No matter wtidi way you want to go. At Alfa Laval Agri™, we offer the broadest range of parallel, herringbone, tandem and rotary stall system options on the market today. So you can find the exact solution you need to milk more cows faster, with less labor and in the most comfortable environment possible. Potential Benefits To Producers Your test std soMn. Farm Safety Project Set HUNTINGDON (Huntingdon Co.) Phil Rzewnicki and Wil liam Hosier of Huntingdon Coun ty Extension Office announced that Huntingdon County will be participating in a pilot farm safety benefits, lower death losses in the farrowing room will promote an improved public image of the poik producing industry. And any pork producer would be delighted to save more baby pigs. This research project has already been rewarding. It would not be successful were it not for the extensive cooperation received from Penn State Swine Extension Specialist Ken Kephart, and from Lorraine Sordillo and Larry Hutchinson (Penn State’s Depart ment of Veterinary Science). The trial was initiated with funds from the National Pork Producers Coun cil and the Pennsylvania Pork Pro ducers Council. It will be con tinued with hinds from the Pen nsylvania Department of Agriculture. A Alfa Laval AgrL A WOULD AHEAD. Alfa Laval Agri Inc • Kansas City MO project. Farming continues to be one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States. At least 48 per sons in Pennsylvania were killed from farm work accidents during 1993. The pilot safety project has the support of several major farm organizations and state agricultur al leaders including the Pennsyl vania State Grange, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and Pennsylvania Farmers Union. Perdue Grain Purchases Speciality Feed Company SALISBURY, Md.—Perdue Farms has expanded its animal feed business by purchasing the assets of AJ. Balshi Inc. of Cata wissa. Pa. At the same time. Per due announced formation of a new operating company. Perdue Spe cialty Feeds Inc., within its grain division. Financial details of the acquisi tion were not disclosed. Opera tions will continue without interruption. Perdue Specialty Feeds Inc. For brochures or videos of our various stall. options or a Parlor Efficiency Estimator to use for parlor planning, see your nearest independent Alfa Laval Agri"' dealer or call 1-800-365-1883 today. We’ll show you the best way to get your operation headed in the most profitable direction. The purpose of this pilot project is to explore methods of farm safe ty and health education by exa mining different educational approaches from the summer of 1995 through the fall of 1997, The results of this project are expected to provide direction to those inter ested in determining how to reduce farm accidents in the future. Farmers in Huntingdon County will be heating more about this project over the next few months. will manufacture and sell quality aquaculture feed for commercial use. “This new business will enhance our position in trading and production of feed ingredients to serve diverse agribusiness cus tomers,” said Dick Willey, vice president and general manager of the Perdue grain and oilseed divi sion. The division operations include several other non-poultry businesses, including an edible oil refinery. “Contact Your Local Independent Alfa Laval Agrl Dealer For More Information" J.B. Zimmerman & Sons, Inc. P.O. Box 337, Lancaster County Blue Ball, PA 17506 717-354-8030 Erb and Henry Equipment, Inc. 22-26 Henry Avenue New Bertinville, PA 19545 215-367-2169 Franklin Hess Ent., Inc. Fit. 2, Box 130 Orangeville, PA 17859 717-925-6939 Witmer Implement Service 1896 Bedford Rd. Shippensburg, PA 17257 717-532-6139 Potomac Valley Supply 11606 Greencastle Pike Hagerstown, MD 21740 301-223-6877 Bennett Machine Company 1601 So. Dupont Blvd. Milford, DE 19963 302-422-4837 Peoples Sales and Service Oakland Mills, PA 717-463-2735 717-436-2735 H.B. Duvall, Inc. 601 E. Patrick St. Frederick, MO 21701 301-662-1125 Out of state: 800-423-4032 17076
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