Fall, 2004
ANSC 4401
SWINE PRODUCTION
DESCRIPTION
Understanding pig biology and management of the pig’s
environment and genetics to maximize profits. Topics include
genetics, nutrition, reproduction, housing, herd health and management
practices. 3 hours of lecture per
week. One laboratory
per week. Some weeks the
laboratory and lectures are combined.
Field trips are required. This
class is writing intensive (as are most senior-level production courses).
Every effort will be made to accommodate students with disabilities. Please see the instructor if you have special needs.
Contact Names &
Phone Numbers
John J. McGlone, PhD, Professor
123 Animal Science
742-2533
Contact Rachelle Hardage for an appointment 742-2826 or stop by
Sung Woo Kim, PhD, Assistant Professor
123 Animal Science
742-2532
Contact Rachelle Hardage for an appointment 742-2826 or stop by
Graduate Assistants:
Craig Lewis
Farm Staff at New Deal Farm
Edward Carrasco
746-5170
Lecture & Lab 1-5 pm
on Wednesdays
When
class is on campus, we will meet in room ANSC 111. When class
meets at the farm, class will begin at the
ATTENDANCE
Lecture
attendance is required by departmental policy.
One week’s material is equal to 3 unexcused absences – so you may only
miss one week. Be careful. Attendance is MANDATORY.
TEXT AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Pig Production: Biological Principles and
Applications. 2003.
John McGlone & Wilson Pond
Written
materials for laboratory will be given to the students.
Students
are required to purchase one pair of coveralls or other suitable clothing to be
worn at the farm to be used for the duration of the semester. Students must not have been in contact with
pigs in the 72 hours before contact with university pigs. The same “down time” rule
applies when we visit commercial farms.
EXAMS
First Exam ---October 20, 2004
Second Exam- November 17, 2004
Final---December 11,
2004 10:30 am to 1:00 p.m.
QUIZZES
We
will have announced quizzes throughout the semester over primarily the text but
also, lecture, laboratory or farm material.
Also students will participate with hands-on pig production techniques
in class and on a one-on-one basis.
WRITING REQUIREMENTS
Three
papers or projects will be required.
These will be turned in at the assigned time. The papers will be graded,
edited, and returned. See below for
details.
LATE PAPERS
WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!
TOURS/FIELD TRIPS
Tour. You should
attend the field trip. Transportation to
the filed trip site is provided by the University. You may drive yourself, if you wish.
If
you fail to attend or if you arrive late and we leave without you, you will be
assigned a 12 page paper comparing the structure of the swine industry in
Grading
% Grade
90--100 A
80--90 B
70--80 C
60--70 D
Below 60 F
---
With the Final --- --- No Final ---
|
Item |
Points |
% |
Points |
% |
Exam #1
|
200 |
20 |
200 |
25 |
|
Exam #2 |
200 |
20 |
200 |
25 |
Papers/projects
(100 pts each)
|
300 |
30 |
300 |
37.5 |
|
Quizzes, 8 |
100 |
10 |
100 |
12.5 |
|
Final Exam (Optional) |
200 |
20 |
-- |
|
|
Total |
1000 |
100 |
800 |
100 |
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS or HANDS-ON PROJECTS
Three papers or projects are required of each student: two writing assignments and one hands-on
activity; alternatively, students may do two hands-on activities and one
writing assignment.
Students
may chose from a menu of projects; at least one writing
project is required of everyone (This is a writing-intensive course). A total of 3 projects must be completed. Students must select their projects by the
second week of class and complete them before November 17th.
Writing assignment #1 (everyone does this assignment)
A current issue in
the swine industry is the issue of sow housing.
Tethers and crates have been banned or phased out in gestation in some
countries. Farrowing crates are being
considered for elimination in some countries.
Bedding is required in some countries during farrowing.
Include at least 3
references from any scientific published source plus other citations. The length of this paper should be 4 to 5
pages long, single spaced. This paper is
technical and scientific. Define
technical terms that you use. Use the
Journal of Animal Science format for the paper (see attached example reprint).
Pick one of the
following topics to specialize in:
1.
Gestation
housing effects on physiology
2.
Gestation
housing effects on behavior, injuries and wounds
3.
Gestation
housing effects on reproduction and productivity
4.
Alternatives
for the farrowing crate
5.
Alternatives
for the gestation crate
6.
Use of bedding
in farrowing crates
7.
Comparisons of
outdoor and indoor systems for gestating and lactating sows
Writing assignment #2 (optional)
For
optional writing
assignment students will select a topic to become a specialist in throughout
the semester. Specialties will be from
among the following list:
·
Genetics
·
Nutrition
·
Reproduction
·
Meats
·
Growth and Development
·
Diseases
This
could include a review of pig biology and some indication about applications in
this discipline to commercial production. Include at least 3 references from
any scientific published source plus other citations. The length of this paper should be 4 to 5
pages long, single spaced. This paper is
technical and scientific. Define
technical terms that you use. Use the
Journal of Animal Science format for the paper (see attached example reprint).
Writing/hands-on assignment #3 (Must do one; another is optional)
Farrowing project
Students will work on a semester research
project and they will write a short research report. Each student will write the paper using
different measures and some common measures.
Generally, the Journal of Animal Science format will be used for the
paper. The page limit here is 2-3 pages
single spaced.
The semester project will involve evaluating a “standard
agricultural practices” (SAP) for pigs. SAP are those that cause pain and temporary distress but are
performed for a specific purpose.
Half the litters will have their teeth clipped and half the
piglets will not have their teeth clipped.
Students will process the 4 litters (2 litters per treatment), including
weighing the pigs and evaluating wounds on the sow and piglets.
Are these required?
What are the consequences if they are performed earlier or later or if
not at all? Your paper will report and
interpret your findings.
Breeding project
Practical
in Breeding at the New Deal Farm- You must artificially inseminate 5 sows at
the New Deal farm and complete before Oct 27.
Prepare a short report on the number of inseminations on each sow, the
average number of inseminations and calculate the percentage of sows returning
to estrus within 30 days.
Boar project
Collect three boars, extend the semen, examine the semen
under the microscope. Prepare a summary
of measures of semen production and fertility for these boars.