Farmed Animal Watch
June 20,  2001                                                     (To Search This Page Press Ctrl F)
Issue #14

CONTENTS

1.   Pig Problems
2.   The Human Effect on Increasing Sow Mortality
3.   Research to Reduce Piglet Mortality
4.   Farrowing School
5.   Day-old Piglets Injected with Dexamethasone
6.   Farmed Animal Behavior Research
7.   Scoring Animal Well-Being
8.   New Way of Transmitting BSE Feared
9.   Vegan Diets Okay for Kids
10. Quebec Limits Pig Production
11. Georgian Wants American Frog Legs
12. Seattle Post-Intelligencer Reports on Radical Activism


1.  PIG PROBLEMS
The Washington Post featured another article on the welfare problems of animals raised for food. The article examined the common practice of confining female pigs for most of their lives in gestation crates, which are barely larger than the pig and do not allow her to turn around or even fully lie down.  An industry spokesperson contends “Science tells us that she [a sow] doesn’t even seem to know that she can’t turn.” The pigs exhibit abnormal behaviors associated with extreme boredom or stress and indicative of poor welfare. The European Union is posed to phase out the crates within 10 years on welfare grounds, and efforts are underway to ban the crates in the U.S.  A signature drive underway in Florida for a statewide vote on a ban of the crates, is the beginning of a national campaign. McDonald’s plans to have a policy in place by the end of the year which may require its suppliers to find alternatives to the crates. The article also mentions international trade implications caused by these developments, and alternatives to the crate.

“In Pig Farming, Growing Concern,” The Washington Post, Marc Kaufman, June 18, 2001, A01.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12663-2001Jun17.html
http://www.bancruelfarms.org


2.  THE HUMAN EFFECT ON INCREASING SOW MORTALITY
A “dramatic increase” in sow mortality prior to slaughter in recent years is, at least in part, attributed to human failure. Tim Loula, a veterinarian at the Swine Vet Center in Minnesota, asserts “The difference between 3% and 12% sow mortality is the people,” and sees a mortality rate of 4-6% as an attainable goal. The article primarily lists measures that managers can take to address “people issues” associated with sow mortality. These include teaching workers basic husbandry skills, including the ability to recognize a sick animal by such signs as lameness, “thumping,” or labored breathing; and leaving space for sick animals. The article notes “Replacement gilt isolation pens are often crowded,” and sees poor job satisfaction as a reason for the industry’s high turnover rate. Dr. Loula encourages adequate staffing and reduced turnover, concluding that, “The people and how they treat animals and how much time they spend with individual animals is the key.”

“People Impact Sow Longevity,” National Hog Farmer, Gretchen Vander Wal, June 15, 2001.
http://www.industryclick.com/magnewsarticle.asp?newsarticleid=205017&magazineid=17&SiteID=5



3.  RESEARCH TO REDUCE PIGLET MORTALITY
Piglet mortality has also increased lately, with losses of 13-15% last year. About half these deaths are caused by piglets being crushed by their mothers. The article explains the research of Donald Lay, a “farm animal behaviorist” with the Agricultural Research Service’s Animal Well-Being and Stress Control Systems Program. Most of these piglets are crushed during their first day of life, despite their “piercing squeals.” Dr. Lay believes flooring may be a problem, as restless mother pigs suffered from sores on their legs and rear. Modern methods of keeping different litters close to each other are also considered a possible contributor to the problem, as it is unnatural and the sows may become desensitized to the cries of their own piglets. Today’s sows may also be genetically programmed to be insensitive to the cries. In response, artificial udders have been designed. Confinement systems and cold stress are also considered.

“Forum - Observing Swine Behavior to Lower Piglet Mortality,” Agricultural Research Magazine, ARS/USDA, June 2001.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jun01/form0601.htm


4.  FARROWING SCHOOL
The University of Missouri will be conducting a school in farrowing June 28-29th. “Health and Disease in the Baby Pig” will alternate with a record-keeping session. The lectures will be interspersed with hands-on sessions with sows scheduled to give birth during the class. Other topics include “Sow Feeding,” “Creep Feeding,” and “Environmental Considerations of the Sow and Piglets.” Registration is $125 and includes books and meals ($25 late fee after June 22nd). Send registration to MPPA, 6235 Cunningham Dr., Columbia, Mo., 65202 or call (573) 445-8375.

“MU Farrowing School June 28-29,” AgWeb News, June 13, 2001.
http://www.agweb.com/getpage.asp?file=/main/agweb/articles/AgNewsArticle_2001613940_1113.html&cat=News&date=06%2F13%2F2001


5.  DAY-OLD PIGLETS INJECTED WITH DEXAMETHASONE
USDA researchers injected day-old piglets with dexamethasone, which resulted in a 12% faster growth rate in the first 18 days of life. Dexamethasone is a synthetic version of a corticoid hormone which is naturally produced by animals when stressed. It is an anti-inflammatory agent used in both human and veterinary medicine. The growth rate increase could result in an annual income increase of tens of millions of dollars for the pig industry. The first hour after birth “may be an opportune time” for the injection, and improper timing could instead slow growth. The researchers are now looking at the long-term effects.

“Anti-Inflammatory Agent Boosts Piglet Growth,” AgWeb News, Kristin Danley-Greiner, June 18, 2001.
http://www.agweb.com/news_show_news_article.asp?file=AgNewsArticle_2001618157_3913&articleid=76107&newscat=GN


6.  FARMED ANIMAL BEHAVIOR RESEARCH
An article in the current issue of Agricultural Research explains research being conducted as part of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service’s “drive to find objective ways of measuring stress in farm animals to improve animal handling practices.” The work of Julie Morrow-Tesch, said to be one of the few animal behaviorists in the country, is spotlighted. “Besides the humane concerns, we’re talking about stresses that cost real money in reduced production,” she says, and as an example cites that the increased survival of one piglet per litter can mean an extra $100 million or more in industry sales.

She has observed that feeding cattle at dusk instead of dawn reduces aggression and injuries, noting that “Injuries from bullying behavior cost feedlots an average of $70 per head,” which doesn’t include injuries from other aggressive behavior. The value of shading cattle or misting them on hot days is another area of her research. Shaded heifers gained more weight more quickly, but “the results need to be analyzed to see if it would be practical to build shade roofs to reduce production losses due to heat stress.”

She is also studying “the growing practice of shipping week-old piglets to other production facilities.” The piglets travel long distances, such as from North Carolina to the Midwest, and both physical and psychological stresses are being investigated. Future research includes studying the effects of stress on behavior, microbiology, physiology, and production, including “artificially manipulating stress hormones produced in the brains of pigs, as a model of stress.” She opines, “We need to develop an up-to-date stress model for livestock.”

“High-Tech Spying–on Livestock,” Agricultural Research Magazine, Don Comis, June 2001.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jun01/spy0601.htm

http://www.nps.ars.usda.gov


7.  SCORING ANIMAL WELL-BEING
Scientists in the Netherlands have devised a model for rating the well-being of pigs, which may be applicable to other farmed animals as well. A score is calculated based on data regarding the animals’ accommodation, such as the number of animals, the space available to them, and how they are managed. The analysis is based on the satisfaction or frustration of the animals’ biological needs, such as for food and water, social interaction, tranquility, freedom of movement and physical care (e.g., the ability to wallow), and chances to rummage and root. The scientists then distinguished between various housing factors that influence well-being, noting that “a lack of space can lead to increased aggression in pigs.”

To compare the scientifically determined scores with the experience of animal welfare experts, the experts were asked to assign a score to 7 different management and housing systems for pregnant sows. The scores were comparable (individually maintained sows rated the worst and family sties the best), indicating that the model is as accurate at evaluating animal welfare as are the experts. The project results “imply that to genuinely improve animal well-being, substantial improvements in their accommodation and management will be necessary.”

“`Objectively’ measuring animal welfare,” The Netherlands’ National Research
Council, The Pig Site, obtained June 19, 2001.
http://www.thepigsite.com/FeaturedArticle/default.asp


8.  NEW WAY OF TRANSMITTING BSE FEARED
A cow who was born after prevention measures against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (“Mad Cow Disease”) were put in place in the U.K. has been diagnosed with the disease. Maternal transmission is believed to be another mode of transmission, but this cow’s mother does not appear to be afflicted with the disease. Scientists cannot explain how the cow may have contracted it and warn the disease may be transmissible in an unknown way. The Animal Health Minister stated, “We do not yet know the epidemiological significance of this case but the independent Food Standards Agency advise that there are no implications for food safety.”

“Britain: BSE Cow Found, Born After New Restrictions,” Reuters, June 15, 2001.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010615/sc/madcow_britain_case_dc_1.html
“New BSE Case Stumps Scientists,” AgWeb News, Darcy Maulsby, June 19, 2001
http://www.agweb.com/news_show_news_article.asp?file=AgNewsArticle_20016191428_349&newscat=GN


9.  VEGAN DIETS OKAY FOR KIDS
Two reports in the June issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association explain that a vegan diet, one devoid of all animal products, can be healthful for children and infants. A well-rounded vegan diet can provide all the nutritional needs of children and is advantageous in terms of fat and cholesterol intake. Vegan children typically also eat more fruits and vegetables than do other children. The authors, Virginia Messina, a professor at Loma Linda University, and Dr. Ann Reed Mangels, nutrition advisor to the Vegetarian Resource Group, offer advise for obtaining certain nutrients from food sources which may not be as abundant with a vegan diet. They note, “The wide availability of convenient vegan foods, many of which are fortified, make it increasingly easy to plan healthful vegan diets for children.”

“Vegan Diets Can Meet Children’s Nutritional Needs,” Reuters Health, June 18, 2001.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/nm/20010618/hl/vegan_1.html


10.  QUEBEC LIMITS PIG PRODUCTION
The province of Quebec, Canada’s largest pig producer, is not allowing any further increase in pig production and will crack down on pollution from existing facilities. Residents have been after the government to do so for years after huge pig production facilities, which were allowed to be built there in the mid-1990's, incited angry protests over stench and pollution. Quebec produced almost 7 million pigs in 2000, equivalent to about 30% of nation’s pig meat production.

“Quebec to Impose Limits on Pork Production,” Reuters Limited, June 14, 2001.
http://www.canada.com/cgi-bin/cp.asp?f=/news/reuters/stories/20010614/business-food-canada-pork-col.html

http://www.agriclick.com/news/story/0,1411,101159,00.html


11.  GEORGIAN WANTS AMERICAN FROG LEGS
The owner of a fish production facility in Georgia claims to have a profitable system for raising frogs to sell their legs as meat. Having raised fish for 4 decades, Ken Holyoak now sells frogs, conducts $1,000 per person how-to seminars, and hopes to sell complete systems for raising frogs. His system consists of a metal building with rows of metal racks, filled with 4- by-3-foot plastic trays stacked 4 or 5 high. Nylon mesh keeps the frogs in the trays until they weigh half a pound and are killed at 180 days of age. Last year, 3.7 million pounds of frogs were imported into the U.S., mostly for frog legs or class dissection. Frog legs sell for nearly $4 a pound, and Mr. Holyoak says his system can compete with imports from Asia and South America. Aquaculture specialists at Louisiana State University are skeptical. One mentions that South America “may be using maggots....that are coming off dead poultry” to feed frogs, and doubts there would be an acceptable source of live food for them here.

“Ga. Fish Farmer Sees Future in Frogs,” Associated Press (Yahoo! Finance), Elliot Minor, June 15, 2001.
http://finance.yahoo.com


12.  SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTS ON RADICAL ACTIVISM
Governmental efforts to respond to increasingly sophisticated and damaging attacks by radical environmental and animal activists in the Northwest is the focus of this lengthy article. The activists’ targets have included SUV’s, fast-food restaurants, chicken and mink operations, a horse slaughterplant, government buildings, and genetically engineered crops. Activists and opponents are quoted, and the elusiveness of those engaging in direct action is related. A number of states have “adopted special penalties for eco-terrorism.” In Oregon, crimes against research and agricultural facilities were made part of the state’s racketeering laws this year, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. A Washington state bill seeks to define “criminal sabotage” and make it punishable by 5 years in prison. In Congress, the recently introduced “Agro-Terrorism Prevention Act” would allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty if anyone died as the result of  arson. The article notes that, “Despite the crescendo of destruction, no one has been hurt in any [of the] incidents.”

“Elusive radicals escalate attacks in nature’s name,” Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Scott Sunde and Paul Shukovsky, June 18, 2001.
http://seattlep-i.nwsource.com/local/27871_ecoterror18.shtml
“Congressman blasts eco-terror,” Comtex (Environmental News Network), June 18, 2001.
http://www.enn.com/news/wire-stories/2001/06/06182001/eco-terror_44022.asp