Summary of a presentation of 44. Kulmbacher week 2009

On the basis of findings from the literature, the presented experiment was to investigate how far the intramuscular fat content can be increased in a standard mast by targeted undersupply of pigs with lysine and sulfur-containing amino acids. In addition, it was to be examined which side effects this has in relation to further characteristics of the meat quality as well as the mast performance and carcass composition. 94 Piétrain-NN * Landrace crosses (45 male-castrated and 49 female) were split into four experimental groups. The control group (I) received a diet with adequate amino acid contents. In the other three groups, the proportion of lysine (II), methionine and cystine (III) or lysine plus methionine and cystine (IV) in the final feed (from approx. 70 kg live weight) was reduced to approx. 60% compared to the control diet.

In general, only the two groups that had received too little lysine had major changes, and especially those with group II. Their animals showed a poorer feed conversion (0,4 kg more feed per kg gain) than the control group, while the animals showed poorer lysine Monday increases - not significantly - decreased by about 60 g. The carcasses were more greasy, so that the muscle meat percentage decreased on average by 2,5% and the belly rating deteriorated by 9 points, as part of an 1,2 points scale. The chemical-physical characteristics of meat quality, such as pH, electrical conductivity, color and the various parameters of water-binding capacity, did not change. The intramuscular fat content at 1,2, 1,4 and 2,7% at two different sites in the M. longissimus dorsi and the M. semimembranosus in the control group increased solely due to the syphilitic deficiency on 2,0, 2,2 and 3,7%; and the total fat content of the "comb" section (transversal over 3, cervical vertebrae) increased from 14,4 to 16,5%. In addition, there was a significant increase in the content of monounsaturated fatty acids in the fatty acid profile of the intramuscular fat at the expense of polyene fatty acids. The described effects, however, only led to tendential improvements in sensory evaluation and instrumental delicacy. Thus, it can be seen that the disadvantages associated with such a feeding measure in terms of fattening performance and carcass composition are not compensated for by the rather modest improvement in meat quality.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 2308 times

Summary of a presentation of 44. Kulmbacher week 2009

This investigation <3> is related to the development of methods which are intended to improve animal welfare in the area of ​​the reproduction of laying hens. Ethically justifiable production processes are continuously developed and economically optimized.

The concrete aim of the present study is to highlight alternatives to the current practice of killing newly hatched male laying hybrids (2007 in Germany: 42,5 million). Basic data on fattening performance, carcass composition, meat quality and cost-effectiveness will first be worked out in order to assess the suitability of laying hybrid sources for the fattening.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 2321 times

Summary of a presentation of 44. Kulmbacher week 2009

Automatic slaughtering machines, which perform individual slaughtering operations, have been used in industrial slaughtering of pigs for two decades in different working positions. These machines were each developed specifically for the intended application and could therefore - if at all - only be produced in very small series. A fundamentally different way of automation in the field of slaughtering was taken by a German manufacturer. There they have relied on conventional 6-axis standard industrial robots, which are used in particular in the automotive industry to a very considerable extent. Following positive experiences with an industrial robot for the coarse cutting of pork halves, four years ago the first standard industrial robots were installed in a large West German pig slaughterhouse for the automatic execution of the following steps: pinching front leg claws; Free the rectum; Separate lock bones; Open abdominal wall and sternum.

At the "Rectum free cutting" workplace, we conducted a preliminary comparative bacteriological study under practical conditions at a slaughtering performance of 600 pigs per hour. The surface microbial contents on the medial pelvic musculature in the vicinity of the rectum were compared by means of destructive sampling after manual and after automatic execution. A second examination took place at the workplace "head down". There, too, the germ levels were determined on the exposed deep jaw muscles. In addition, the amount of neck muscles on the head was recorded and an assessment of the quality of the cut made. After an industrial robot took over the job at this workplace, the second round of the comparative investigation followed. This showed hygiene advantages in the robot. The presentation will also cover business aspects of the use of robots in industrial pig slaughtering, as far as they are approved by the manufacturer and the user.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 3175 times

From the European Institute of Food Science and Nutrition

So animal and environmentalists want the alternative pig farming: Rosy pigs are wusseln grunting and squeaking in the straw. No corrosive odor of ammonia torments the sensitive noses of bristle cattle. The environment is spared! And so alternative pig farmers promise their customers meat enjoyment with calm environmental conscience.

And indeed, from certain technically and economically complex alternative husbandry systems with bedding and the addition of fermentation aids escape compared to slatted floor conditions with manure cellar up to 30% less ammonia (1). But in other bedding systems (Tab. 2, stable type 7 & 8) higher ammonia emissions are found (3). In conventional housing systems, the conversion from full to partial slatted floors with a bed surface can reduce ammonia emissions by an additional 40% (5).

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 2370 times

Good results in hens and fattening animals

Forage peas can partially replace wheat and soybean meal in poultry feed. In the Thuringian State Institute for Agriculture in Jena, the use of peas (10 to 40%) in compound feed was tested in feeding experiments with chicks, pullets, laying hens, broilers and turkey fattening.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 2606 times

Feather pecking is not uncommon in laying hens in species-appropriate group housing: The animals pluck each other's feathers, some of these behavioral problems leads to cannibalism and death in the henhouse. In contrast, only the preventive pruning of the beaks helped so far. Now researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have found out why certain chickens are more prone to feather picking than others. With this knowledge, one could avoid torments in the laying hens in the future.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 2824 times

When fish farming fall as waste products exactly the nutrients that need tomatoes to grow. Scientists have now developed a system in which they breed fish and tomatoes together in one plant. This creates an almost closed cycle that requires extremely little water and is very environmentally friendly.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 2424 times

Every year, around 1.3 million male piglets are castrated in Switzerland. The previously common method of piglet castration without pain elimination is prohibited from 2010.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 2662 times

Piglet manure to biogas can be expected

With a diploma thesis on biomass fermentation, a student of the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt suggests a practicable solution for the residents of the Ilmkreis in Thuringia.

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 3019 times

A group of researchers at the University of Zurich around Professor Adriano Aguzzi (Institute of Neuropathology) has found that subtle changes in the structure of the prion protein lead to a serious neurological dysfunction. In addition, they showed that the mutated protein leads to an infectious disease. Her research results have been since 1. December 2008 published online on "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" (PNAS).

1.   0 comment
2.   Displayed 3156 times