The aim of the study was to determine the differences between inbred and linecross litters in litter size and litter weight at birth, 21 and 56 days of age. The effect of line of dam, age of dam and year of birth on each of the production traits was also studied. Data comprising 556 litters (229 inbred and 327 linecross) from seven inbred lines developed by the U.S.D.A. at Beltsville were analyzed by the method of least squares. There were no differences between the inbred and linecross litters for number farrowed, but highly significant differences (P<0.01) were observed for all other traits. The lines of dam differed considerably in performance; the L-LB line gave the largest and heaviest litters and the L-CW line the smallest and lightest litters at each of the three ages. Age of dam at farrowing was the most important single factor affecting both litter size and weight. It accounted for 70 percent of the variation in both traits at birth and about 50 percent at weaning. Sows weaned litters, which were 2.4 pigs larger and 119 pounds heavier than those weaned by gilts farrowing under one year of age. / Master of Science

No description available.

In preparing job contracts for individual instruction, it was found that it would be almost impossible for any High School Instructor to secure enough reference material from other states to supply class needs. These contracts require information from practically every state if they are satisfactorily fulfilled. It is the intention of the writer that this write-up on Swine should accompany the job contracts. The write-ups contain nearly all of the information that will be required by the average student. If additional information is desired, it can be selected from the references given at the end of each chapter. / M.S.

Thesis (M.A. (Agricultural Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2013 / A study was conducted to determine environmental and socio-economic factors affecting pig productivity in communal areas. A questionnaire was administered to collect data on production environment and socio-economic variables underlying productivity in Sekhukhune District. Production environment included explanatory sex of the piglet, season of birth, feed type, housing type, municipality, herd size, health management and disease prevalence, while socio-economic variables included household size and gender of head of household, age, level of education and employment status. A total of 112 farmers were interviewed from 25 villages. Data on productivity were collected using production record sheets. Performance parameters in the production sheets included litter size, litter weight, individual birth weight, live weight and mortality. Monitoring was done from birth date to subsequent farrowing date at the farmers’ backyard. One farrowing sow per producer was used and a total of 605 piglets were monitored in the municipalities. A total of 1468 indigenous pigs were kept for breeding with 104 castrated males occupying less space in the production system within the district. Feeding was characterized by kitchen wastes or garbage at total of 78 farmers, 22 feeding garbage and grains, and only 12 farmers feeding concentrate. There was measles prevalence in the production system with a total of 41 farmers treating the suspected pigs; the larger number (71) however, did not treat pigs. Health did not affect (P>0.05) litter size and birth weight. Birth weight was affected (P>0.05) by disease prevalence, herd size, household head sex, age and education, and family size. Mean litter size was 4.38 piglets at birth, mean litter weights of 5.78 kg, mean birth weight of 1.32, and mean mortality at 2.31 piglets. Season, feed, municipality, diseases, herd size, the age, education and employment of household head affected pre-weaning mortality (P<0.05). v There is statistical evidence (P<0.05) that there were associations between litter size, litter weight, birth weight and mortality and the feed, municipality, diseases, herd size, the age, education and employment of household head respectively. There were deficiencies in the entire production system with regards to pig management practices, feeding practices, housing of pigs, breeding systems, herd composition and size and the general practices in the keeping of the pig herds by majority of pig producers. These deficiencies call for introduction of sound pig management plans in communal areas which should include keeping pigs indoor to account for the healthy herd, proper feeding and sound breeding plans.

Includes list of papers and publications by the author Includes bibliographical references (leaves 198-231) Reports on studies aimed at increasing the efficiency of livestock transgenesis programs. Overall the experiments provide an improved basis for understanding the application of animal biotechnology to the pig.

Includes list of papers and publications by the author / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 198-231) / [12], vii, 231 leaves, 6 p. of col. plates : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Reports on studies aimed at increasing the efficiency of livestock transgenesis programs. Overall the experiments provide an improved basis for understanding the application of animal biotechnology to the pig. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Depts. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Animal Sciences, 1991

Thesis (MTech. degree in Agriculture)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2011. / There is a lack of research on the characterization and cryopreservation of Kolbroek boar semen. This study evaluated Kolbroek boar semen characteristics, extenders and cryoprotectants for cryopreservation, and its subsequent assessment of fertility by in vitro fertilization.

A pig genetic resources study was conducted in five municipalities of Sekhukhune with the aim of characterising pig genetic resources in communal farming systems. A total of 52 pig farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire instrument. Of the 52 farmers 65 percent were subsistence, 27 percent back-yard and 8 percent emerging farmers. The primary data collected included demography, production practices, herd structure, feeds and feeding, breeding practices, marketing, and conservation methods. Two indigenous pig farmers and one exotic pig farmers were selected for purpose of measuring growth and other linear traits of piglets over a period of two months. Four hundred and nine (409) pigs were used for body measurements of which 124 were from emerging farms, 71 from subsistence and 206 from back-yard farms. Data was analysed using SAS Package (SAS, Version 9.3). Demographic representation of farmers showed 79 percent of farmers being males, 85 percent married. With 50 percent between the ages of 55-64; 60 percent owning the farms and 83 percent Northern Sotho speaking farms. The majority of farmers (39 percent) had secondary education with 81 percent trained in production and over eight years of farming experience. The objective of farmers raising pigs was mainly for selling at a frequency of 60 percent. Over 70 percent of the farmers had a good grasp of controlling internal and external parasites. However, over 80 percent of the farmers did not vaccinate or get advice from extension officers. When comparing the production systems, there was no variation in the number of young pigs produced. Only 13 percent of the emerging farmers and eight percent in back-yard had proper housing. Only 10 percent of the farmers had financial assistance. That led to only 10 percent of the farmers able to feed complete rations to their animals. Cross breeding has been practiced within communal areas by over 75 percent of the farmers. Over 15 percent bought boars from commercial farmers. This practice enabled them to sell their piglets to private buyers at 50-60 kg at an average price of R500 – R1000. Though the value of indigenous breeds was rated high by over 63 percent the size and price compelled them to cross-breed. An establishment of an indigenous breeding program is highly recommended. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

Automated composting is a technique applied for treatment of animal manure, however a safety form for elimination of zoonotic pathogens is still poorly studied. The objective of this paper was to verify contamination of the compost to presence of parasites. The experiment was conducted at Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), and the substrate consisted of a mixture of wood shavings (30%) and sawdust (70%). Liquid pig manure (LPM) was provided from animals in finishing phase. Three treatments were avaliated during the automated composting process with vertical mixer: T1- Addition of liquid pig manure (LPM); T2- Addition of LPM and retorted shale (RS) and T3- Addition of LPM + RS + Dicianodiamide (DCD). LPM additions were performed weekly for 14 weeks. Monitoring of temperature, humidity, nitrogen compounds and pH of each compost pile was carried out. Before each addition in the rows, one liter of LPM sample was collected and evaluated for the presence of parasites. For composted material, 100g were collected at four different heights of the rows, which were mixed. A sample of this material was removed for parasitological analysis. Analyzes were done with three replicates, one day before each new addition of waste in the row. Parasitological analysis of the compost for the recovery of helminth eggs was carried out using the Modified Bailenger method with adaptations (MBA). For identification of Cryptosporidium sp., glass slides were made and Ziehl-Neelsen staining was performed. For identification of Giardia sp. it was performed the modified Faust technique. In control treatment (LPM) there was an increase in number of eggs between the beginning and end of the LPM addition, whereas in maturation period there was a reduction. For the other treatments (LPM + RS and LPM + RS + DCD) there was a gradual reduction in the total number of eggs from the beginning to the end of addition of LPM, and from the end to maturation period. The LPM + RS + DCD treatment promoted a total reduction in number of eggs in the maturation period. Automated composting showed to be an efficient process for the treatment of liquid pig manure eliminating between 98 and 100% of the helminth eggs present. The contaminant potential of the compost was evaluated in field experiments with arugula cultivation. Four treatments were evaluated, with 4 replicates: T1- LPM compost; T2- LPM + RS compost; T3- LPM + RS + DCD compost; T4-control (soil + NPK). For this analysis 100g of leaves of arugula were collected in triplicate and three cuts were made. No parasites were found in the arugula in any of the cuts even if there were parasites present in the compost used. / A compostagem automatizada é uma técnica que vem sendo utilizada no tratamento de dejetos de animais, porém a segurança quanto à eliminação de patógenos zoonóticos ainda é pouco estudada. O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar a contaminação do composto quanto a presença de parasitos. O experimento foi conduzido na Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, o substrato utilizado foi constituído da mistura de maravalha (30%) e serragem (70%) de eucalipto. Os dejetos líquidos de suínos (DLS) foram provenientes de animais em fase de terminação. Foram avaliados três tratamentos durante o processo de compostagem automatizada com revolvedor vertical: T1- Adição de dejetos líquidos de suínos (DLS); T2- Adição de DLS e Xisto retortado (XR) e T3- Adição de DLS + XR + Dicianodiamida (DCD). As adições dos diferentes DLS foram realizadas semanalmente durante 14 semanas. Foi realizado o acompanhamento da temperatura, da umidade, compostos nitrogenados e pH de cada pilha de compostagem. Antes de cada adição na leira, um litro de cada amostra de DLS foi coletado e avaliado para presença de parasitos. Para o material compostado foram coletados 100g em quatro alturas diferentes da leira, que foram misturadas. Uma amostra desse material foi retirada para análise parasitológica. As análises foram feitas com três repetições, um dia antes de cada nova adição de dejetos na leira. A análise parasitológica do composto para recuperação de ovos de helmintos no composto foi realizada através do método de Bailenger Modificado com adaptações (BMA). Para identificação de Cryptosporidium sp. foram confeccionadas lâminas e realizada a coloração de Ziehl-Neelsen. Para identificação de Giardia sp. foi realizada a técnica de Faust modificada. No tratamento controle (DLS) houve aumento do número de ovos entre o início e final da adição de DLS, enquanto que no período de maturação houve redução. Já para os demais tratamentos (DLS+XR e DLS+XR+DCD) houve redução gradual no número total de ovos do início até o fim da adição de DLS, e também no período de maturação. O tratamento DLS+XR+DCD promoveu redução total no número de ovos no período de maturação. A compostagem automatizada mostrou ser um processo eficiente para o tratamento de dejetos líquidos de suínos eliminando entre 98 e 100% dos ovos de helmintos presentes nos DLS. O potencial contaminante dos compostos foi avaliado em experimentos de campo, com o cultivo de rúcula. Quatro tratamentos foram avaliados, com 4 repetições: T1- Composto DLS; T2- Composto DLS + XR; T3- Composto DLS + XR + DCD; T4- testemunha (solo + Nitrogênio, Fosforo e Potássio (NPK)). Para esta análise foram coletados 100g de folhas de rúculas, em triplicata e foram realizados 3 cortes na rúcula. Não foram encontrados parasitos nas rúculas em nenhum dos cortes mesmo quando presentes no composto utilizado.

Thesis (M. Tech. (Agirculture)) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2015