Swine & U

Mortality rates are highest in the farrowing room, whether it be for pigs or sows. A lot of farrowing room focus is put on pre-weaning mortality; but reducing sow mortality also needs to receive producer attention. When we include stillbirths, it is not uncommon to see three-quarters of growing pig mortality showing up before weaning.

If we take this risk on a daily basis, a pig is 20 times likely to die on a day in the farrowing room than a day subsequent to that. Based on this higher risk, we have studied both stillbirth rates and preweaning mortality rates in great detail. We know there are factors such as birth weight, colostral intake, facility design and facility factors that lead to higher and lower pre-weaning mortality rates.

The rates of mortality for sows are also much higher in the farrowing room than in breeding or gestation. We can see daily rates which are eight times as high in the farrowing room than in breeding and gestation. The difference is there has not been a particular emphasis on the study of this aspect of sow mortality in the same way that pre-weaning mortality has been emphasized as a separate category of mortality versus post weaning mortality.

With the levels of mortality seen in the farrowing stall, it may be useful to understand the processes which lead to sow death, as well as leading to additional compromised sows at time of weaning. There are additional pressures on the sow through parturition and lactation that appeared to result in a proportion of sows unable to cope with the added physical requirements. Moreover, it may be worth questioning whether the physical environment in the farrowing stall is too biased toward the piglet rather than the stall. Though the studies are limited, it

UniversityofMinnesota EXTENSION SWINE&U

may be useful to start viewing the farrowing stall as a point of

SWINE & U intervention to reduce sow morBy John Deen, DVM tality rates. Here are a few factors worth considering as we try to help the sow survive and thrive in the farrowing stall.

Lameness — In our work, a sow that is lame at entry into the farrowing stall has a 40 percent higher mortality rate — even if the lameness appears to be minor. Moreover, these sows are also much more likely to be compromised at weaning so they are culled at a higher rate.

Analgesia — Though it is particularly true in lame sows, there is a positive effect of long-acting pain control in sows. Behaviorally, these sows are more likely to get up and eat and drink shortly after farrowing. Unfortunately, here in the United States no such product is registered for use in sows.

Off-feed events — We have shown that even one day off feed can significantly increase the mortality rate and decrease the quality of sows at weaning.

Heat — Hot, humid nights particularly result in higher sow mortality in the farrowing stall.

Farrowing difficulties — Slow parturition is also an indicator of a sow having difficulty in coping and predicts higher levels of mortality.

As any good herdsperson will point out, these are not independent subjects. The real problem is when these factors start coming together. A lame sow going into a farrowing stall during hot weather is much more likely to see those off-feed events and have trouble farrowing. It is in the multiplicative aspects that we truly identify at-risk sows. It is a cascade of events which leads to sow death in many cases, and catching sows in early stages of difficulty may be our best chance of providing an efficient intervention.

However, there may be a need to also change some of our emphases in pig rearing. I would argue that there is a greater emphasis on reducing pre-weaning mortality in the farrowing room than reducing sow mortality. An illustration I use in this argument is asking what is the optimal temperature for a farrowing room — especially when the sows are farrowing? The answers I receive are usually more closely correlated with piglet comfort than with sow comfort. Sows would do best at a temperature of 60-65 F.

Farrowing rooms are already places of intense activity and focus, and redirecting some of that effort toward the comfort and well-being of the sow may have real returns.

John Deen is a professor in the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He can be reached at deenx003@umn.edu v

Restaurant traffic is once again slowing down

MIELKE, from pg. 14

October U.S. dairy exports were “decently impressive,” said HighGround Dairy’s Lucas Fuess in the Dec. 13 “Dairy Radio Now” broadcast, topping year ago levels for the ninth consecutive month, up 2.1 percent, and helped clear domestic stocks.

Cheese totaled 78.5 million pounds, up a whopping 43.7 percent from October 2020. Cheese shipments were the strongest on record for the month with Mexico, accounting for 22 percent market share, according to HighGround Dairy, and up 61 percent from a year ago. Notable gains were also made to South Korea and Australia.

Butter exports totaled 9.8 million pounds, up 91.3 percent. Nonfat dry milk-skim milk powder fell to 147.4 million pounds, down 12.3 percent, though year-to-date exports are up 10.6 percent. Exports of dry whey totaled 41.7 million pounds, down 21.5 percent. Year-ago levels on both were high and tough to beat, according to Fuess

China remained the second largest destination, according to HighGround Dairy. However, exports were down 32 percent from 2020. Demand for whey declined, mostly to China, down 56 percent from last year. Nonfat dry milk exports to China were down 32 percent.

n

The global market holds good promise and the Dec. 3 Dairy and Food Market Analyst cites the lack of global milk supplies and the potential market share gains from American exporters. Shipping delays are also improving.

Unfortunately, domestic demand may slip, according to the Analyst. “Data from restaurant analytics firm Open Table shows a significant slowing in restaurant traffic around the globe. In the seven days before the omicron news, restaurant traffic in the United States had been within 1 percent of precoronavirus levels; but has moved to be down 10 percent in the latest week. In other countries Open Table shows the same trend.”

Cheddar block cheese started the week falling to $1.8425 per pound but closed Dec. 10 at $1.8650. This is up three-quarter cents on the week, highest since Nov. 18, and 24.75 cents above a year ago.

The barrels climbed to $1.6925 on Dec. 8 (the highest since Nov. 1), but finished at $1.68, 7.75 cents higher, 23.75 cents above a year ago, and 18.5 cents below the blocks. Six cars of block were sold and eight barrel.

Midwest cheesemakers tell Dairy Market News that spot milk offers were quiet this week, as milk prices shifted higher. Multiple plants were closed for maintenance while others were busy. Staffing shortages remain but have improved. Cheese demand is meeting seasonal expectations but some plants are not likely to catch up on orders until the onset of 2022. Market tones remain uncertain, but slowly gaining momentum as barrel prices edge closer to blocks.

Western retail cheese demand is steady, food service reportedly trending higher, and international

See MIELKE, pg. 18

MIELKE, from pg. 17

demand remains strong. Port congestion and a shortage of truck drivers continues. Milk is available allowing busy cheese production. n

Butter climbed to $2.06 per pound on Dec. 7, then backtracked some, but jumped 7.5 cents Dec. 10 to close at $2.1225. This is up 12 cents on the week (the highest since Oct. 17, 2019) and 64.25 cents above a year ago. There were 31 sales reported.

Central butter makers report post-Thanksgiving cream availability remained somewhat hearty in the region and from the West. Freight options from Western sources are limited with few signs the situation will level out in the near future. Butter demand is seasonally strong, and now that cream has become more available, churning is more active, says Dairy Market News.

Western cream inventories are steady with enough available but demand is strong. Some purchasers in other regions are looking for cream in the West but loads are reportedly facing delays due to a shortage of truck drivers. Domestic butter demand is steady to higher in both retail and food service markets. Export demand remains strong. Butter producers are running below capacity due to delays to production supplies and a shortage of labor, according to Dairy Market News.

Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Dec. 10 at $1.6250 per pound. This is 6.25 cents higher on the week, highest since Aug. 4, 2014, and 49.75 cents above a year ago, on 19 sales for the week.

Whey finished at 71.25 cents per pound, up 1.5 cents on the week on unfilled bids, highest price ever since it started trading at the CME on Mar. 12, 2018, topping 70.25 cents a pound on April 20, 2021 and 24.5 cents above a year ago n

Back on the farm, dairy margins were steady to mixed the second half of November, according to the latest Margin Watch from Chicago-based Commodity and Ingredient Hedging LLC., as “Milk prices and projected feed costs largely traded sideways but held firm.”

The Margin Watch stated, “USDA Cold Storage data provided some color around recent strength in Class IV milk prices relative to Class III,” citing the latest butter and cheese data which I recently reported. It added, “Strong global demand and production declines in both New Zealand and the EU are helping support U.S. dairy product prices.”

Corn continues to hold firm with worries over soaring fertilizer prices and dry weather in South America providing support while attractive projected returns from crops such as spring wheat, oats and cotton will force new-crop corn to compete on price for acreage in the upcoming planting season,” the Margin Watch concluded.

Signup opened for the Dairy Margin Coverage program this week and the program was expanded to allow producers better protect their operations by enrolling supplemental production. Signup runs through Feb. 18.

National Milk Producers Federation president and CEO, Jim Mulhern says, “Signing up for DMC, which offers cost-effective margin protection for small and medium-sized producers as well as inexpensive catastrophic coverage for larger dairies, is a no-brainer

for 2022, especially considering the improvements we fought for in Congress and advocated for at USDA. This year illustrated just how valuable this program is for those producers that can take advantage of it, and DMC will once again be an essential part of many farmers’ risk management.” Meanwhile, the House, by a 364 to 60 vote, passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021. First introduced in August, the bill revises provisions related to ocean shipping policies and is designed to support growth and development of U.S. exports and promote reciprocal trade in the foreign commerce. “If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the legislation will help alleviate delays and disruptions at U.S. ports that have cost the U.S. dairy industry well over $1 billion this year,” says NMPF. “American dairy exporters since late 2020 have faced unprecedented challenges in securing shipping container accommodations on ocean vessels while contending with record-high fees and shipping access volatility, mostly driven by foreign-owned ocean carriers.” The passage also drew praise from the International Dairy Foods Association. Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO, stated, “Unlike 20 years ago when we exported very little, the U.S. dairy industry today is the third-largest dairy exporting nation in the world, selling 16 percent of our annual milk production to trading partners around the world. The OSRA will provide long-term solutions for the myriad issues congesting U.S. ports and slowing U.S. dairy exports.” Lee Mielke is a syndicated columnist who resides in Everson, Wash. His weekly column is featured in newspapers across the country and he may be reached at lkmielke@juno.com. v ‘Tis the season: Hybrid and variety seed selection

FOLEY, Minn. — This is the time of year where excellent notes taken during the growing season can make certain decisions a lot easier. Many usually start with pest management plans and how 2021 seed performed over the course of the season. This is due to the impact of soybean varietal and corn hybrid performance vs. many of the disease and pests that are in fields and its impact on proper field

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In weed management, stop treating every field as if it is the same and start viewing them as different football fields — each one is unique. There may be similarities, but it doesn’t take long to identify the differences.

When selecting corn hybrids, remember that the rate of genetic improvement by year of hybrid release is about two bushels an acre. This means that staying current in your hybrid decisions is going to be important not just in the short term but also year over year.

Also, be mindful of the cost of the different hybrids and their potential yields. Always look at multiple, reliable, and replicated yield trials — preferably with statistical results. While some of these types of resources are more difficult to understand, taking the time to work through the information will save you time and money by removing potentially risky hybrid selections. There are other options if statistics are not available to help with evaluations such as using a percentile or yield index.

More information on hybrid selection can be found by going to the Minnesota Crop News Blog (https:// blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/). Yield trial reports from across the state can be found at https:// varietytrials.umn.edu/.

Similarities abound when looking at soybean variety and corn hybrid selection. Looking at yield trials that are replicated, reliable, and across multiple locations with similar environments and soil types is just as important. For disease and pest issues such as white mold, soybean cyst nematodes and sudden death syndrome varietal selection is an important part of their management. Remember that selecting seed based on price does not indicate if those varieties are going to do well. Selecting varieties based on field specifics will determine success or failure.

This article was submitted by Nathan Drewitz, University of Minnesota Extension. v