Swine & U

U of M researchers study water quality effects on nursery pigs

Feed, water and air are the three most essential components required to achieve optimal pig performance and health. Of these three components, water has received the least amount of research attention throughUniversityofMinnesota EXTENSION SWINE &U To isolate the effects of water quality from other performance-influencing factors typical of commercial farms, the three waters were transported via a milk tanker to the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, Minn. A new pressurized water system was installed in the WCROC nursery barn to simultaneously deliver any of three separate waters to pigs. Three 2,500-gallon potable water bladders were installed on a platform underneath a shade cloth outside of the nursery and were connected to three new waterlines. The water delivery system was connected to manifolds in the barn that could deliver any of the three waters to every set of two pens. The water bladders collapsed as they were emptied so there was no air in the bladder above the water to influence water quality during the experiment. Weanling pigs were sourced from a single commercial sow farm. The farm was porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome and Mycoplasma negative for a 40-day experiment. One hundred and fifty pigs with an average initial weight of 13.76 pounds were allotted randomly to each of three treatments (15 pens per treatment, 10 pigs per pen). Pigs had continuous access to feed and water throughout the experiment. Individual growth rate and feed intake on a pen basis were measured weekly. Any instances of mortality and morbidity were recorded. However, in a subsequent study, the same researchers observed reduced daily weight gain and poorer feed efficiency of nursery pigs with increasing total dissolved solids concentration of water (McLeese et al., 1992). Other studies have reported increased sulfate concentration of water increases incidence of scours in nursery pigs with no effects on growth performance. Anecdotal reports from industry experts suggest many different characteristics of water influence pig performance and health. Numerous characteristics of water such as total dissolved solids, pH, hardness, suspended solids, sulfates, nitrates, heavy metals, total coliforms, bacteria, viruses, parasites and some others have been measured to determine water quality for livestock. out the years. Water has often been called the “forgotten nutrient” because of its relatively low cost, widespread availability and ample supply in most locations. Some pork producers recently have observed suboptimal performance of nursery pigs which they suspected might be caused by poor water quality. Signs of poor performance include increased incidence of fallback pigs, a high prevalence of scours, and pigs which are “hard to start” in the nursery. These observations led to the research question: Does water quality have an impact on nursery pig performance and health? Water quality characteristics which support optimal pig performance and health vary in scientific literature and many of these studies conducted to evaluate them are more than 30 years old. There is limited scientific literature reporting controlled studies of pig responses to water of varying quality. One group of researchers fed nursery pigs water which ranged from 217 to 4,390 parts per million total dissolved solids and reported no effects on daily weight gain, daily feed intake or feed efficiency. This report was compiled by Brigit Lozinski, Milena Saqui-Salces, Gerald Shurson and Pedro Urriola, University of Minnesota Department of Animal Science; Brent Frederick, Christensen Family Farms; Melissa Wilson, University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water and Climate; and Yuzhi Li and Lee Johnston, University of Minnesota Department of Animal Science and West Central Research and Outreach Table 1: Selected characteristics of three waters evaluated Brigit Lozinski We surveyed pork producers online to learn the range of water qualities being fed to nursery pigs in 48 barns across a wide range of geographic regions in Minnesota. From these farms, we selected 15 barns to collect water samples for analysis. Water samples were collected at or as close to the well head as possible to understand the true quality of water entering the barn before being affected by the existing distribution system. Analyte Hardness, mg Eq CaCO3/liter Iron (parts per million) Manganese (ppm) Magnesium (ppm) Sodium (ppm) Waters evaluated A B C 1,410 909 235 5.43 5.22 1.33 0.048 0.117 0.045 171 90.9 21.4 64.0 37.4 29.4 Livestock Standards — — — — — Initially, we surveyed pork producers online to learn the range of water qualities being fed to nursery pigs in 48 barns across a wide range of geographic regions in Minnesota. From these farms, we selected 15 barns to collect water samples for analysis. Water samples were collected at or as close to the well head as possible to understand the true quality of water entering the barn before being Over the 40-day experiment, there were no differences in average daily gain or average daily feed intake among pigs assigned to the three waters (Figure 1). This result is noteworthy because waters A and B were selected to represent “poor” quality, and water C to represent “good” quality. We theorized that waters A and/or B would depress pig See SWINE & U, pg. 13 Conductivity 2.31 1.62 0.536 — affected by the existing distribution system. Fecal Coliforms (number per liter) Nitrate + nitrates (ppm) <2 n.d. 4 <2 n.d. <2 n.d. 1 1 100 2 Samples were sent to a commercial lab and were analyzed for 29 different components. Concentrations of water components were Calcium Sulfates (ppm) (ppm) 284 1,120 214 617 58.7 2 1,000 3 1,000 3 compared to published standards of acceptable water quality for livestock (Table 1). Three different waters were selected as treatTotal Disolved Solids 5 (ppm) 1,500 1,050 348 3,000 2 ments for a nursery growth performance 1 CCME, 2005 study. Two waters were selected to represent 2 NRC, 1974 “bad” water (A and B) and one water was con3 CCME, 1987 4 Not detected 5 Total dissolved solubles, sum of all inorganic and organic soluble matter sidered “good” water (C). The research team considered waters A and B to be the two worst quality waters of the 15 waters sampled.

FFA, 4-H collaborate on digital media team

By KRISTIN KVENO

The Land Staff Writer

Offering real-life digital media opportunities for both 4-H and FFA members is the purpose of the newly-founded Compart Family Farms Digital Media Team. This year, 12 high school students from across the state were selected to be on the team. Comprised of 4-H and FFA members, the team is a unique collaboration between the two organizations. “There’s really nothing like this team,” said team member Sydney Mitchell.

Alyssa Groskopf, recruitment and communications coordinator with the University of Minnesota’s Agricultural Education, Communication and Marketing, is a member of the Digital Media Team board of advisors. “It got started as an opportunity for agriculture to move forward and tell their story,” she said. The idea came from Lance Hughes, High School Activities Hub founder and was fostered by a growing interest to create digital media opportunities for youth in the ag sector. Groskopf is excited to be on the sevenmember advisory board as the media team is developing a network of agricultural students to build on their ag knowledge. Also part of the team is Compart Family Farms as title sponsor and a supporter.

Mitchell has been a proud member of the Le Sueur 4-H club and when the opportunity arose to be part of this digital media group, Mitchell quickly applied. She and Savannah Stafford both have been part of the team since last year and are the co-captains. “I joined the team last year before the Minnesota State Fair.” Mitchell was then able to work on some videography during the state fair.

ST. PAUL — Minnesota U-pick operations, on-farm markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms seeking help to ensure a safe and sanitary experience at farms and pick-up sites can apply for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s new Safe on the Farm Direct Marketing Cost Share program.

Eligible businesses may be reimbursed up to $250 for the purchase of equipment and supplies which will

This year, Mitchell and Savannah helped create the application to be part of the team. Mitchell also had the opportunity to assist in choosing from

By Jonathan Eisenthal

Courtesy of Minnesota Corn Growers Association

Students ranging from seventh graders to college freshmen confronted some of the thorniest challenges in the world of agriculture as part of the sixth-annual Minnesota 4-H Science of Agriculture Challenge last week.

The top award went to sisters

Addison and

S y d n e y

M i t c h e l l , who competed as the

L e S u e u r

C o u n t y

“Beyond The

Farm” team.

They took the fact that fewer students have exposure or understanding of the diversity of careers in agriculture.

The duo developed a 15-minute presentation that showed students that agricultural production may be the foundation, but ag careers extend into science, technology and business.

The award came with a $1,000 scholarship for each of them, provided by

Minnesota Corn Growers Association. help them comply with the Guidance for Minnesota U-Pick Operations and On-Farm Markets.

Examples of eligible equipment include handwashing stations, personal protective equipment, tables to create space between workers and customers, signage to properly communicate safety instructions or social disthe applicants as well. The goal in selecting team members was to find students that were knowledgeable in

Mitchell sisters win top ag challenge award

different media platforms.

“We did 59 presentations, which were seen by well over 1,000 students,” said Addison, who credited YouTube as the top medium for sharing their message.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this was the first time the competition was held entirely online. For the students, the virtual world prevented them from being able to meet in person with mentors, a critical part of the competition. But still, they set to work in N o v e m b e r , picking a problem or question to address, and their work culminated in the presentations offered to a panel of industry and academic judges.

The Science of Ag Challenges is supported each year by MCGA as part of its efforts to promote the next generation of agricultural leaders.

A full list of each participating teams and awards can be found at www.mncorn.org. v tancing, sanitation supplies to clean commonly touched surfaces, and rope, fencing, tape, chalk, or flags to guide customers through their farm experience.

In order to qualify, the applicant must be a current or new Minnesota Grown member.

Applications to the program are being

In addition to working on digital media creation, Mitchell has been able to sell sponsorships for the team as well as work on contracts.

While the team has yet to meet in person due to Covid-19, they do have a Zoom meeting every Monday morning. That’s when they communicate about the projects they are currently working on. One of those projects was to make the various videos and graphics for the FFA virtual state convention this year.

Groskopf said CHS, AGDAILY and FFA are all working to create project ideas for the media team to work on. “The team members will get the chance to claim those projects as their own,” Groskopf said. Those projects will be added to the digital portfolios of the team members.

The team was planning on creating numerous projects for the Minnesota State Fair. Unfortunately, those will now be shifted online. “We are working on a large virtual competition. The competition will be different from most virtual shows because it will include judging for projects other than just livestock,” Mitchell said. “We know that it will be a great way for students across the state to showcase livestock and indoor projects they’ve been working so hard on all year.”

“FFA and 4-H both are essentially cultivating our future agricultural leaders,” Groskopf said. While many have had to adapt and utilize technology now more than ever to communicate, for the media team, this gives them the opportunity to hone those skills and use them to strengthen their networking in the ag arena. “There’s really nothing like this team. We’re all

‘Safe on the Farm’ funds available for health, safety updates

having fun with it,” Mitchell said. v www.TheLandOnline.com

accepted now through Aug. 31, or until all funds are depleted. Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Businesses will receive payment approximately two to four weeks after their application is approved.

For more information and to get an application form, visit www.mda.state. mn.us/safe-farm-direct-marketingcost-share-program.

This article was submitted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.v