Research Into Value of Play has Far Reaching Implications

Jan 22, 2024

Research conducted by the Western College of Veterinary Medicine is expected to change how pork producers view the value of play. Research conducted through the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Swine Welfare Research Program, highlighted earlier this month as part of a forum held in conjunction with the 2024 Banff Pork Seminar, shows grower finisher pigs exposed to play display less aggression, recover quicker when exposed to disease and demonstrate higher average daily gain, than those not exposed to play.

Karolina Steinerova, a PhD student with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, says this work has multiple implications.

Quote-Karolina Steinerova-Western College of Veterinary Medicine:

Because our results are showing that play is positive for the pigs, this can be added as an animal-based measure in the code of practice as an animal welfare indicator of positive emotions, which is currently lacking in the code of practice.The code of practice is due for renewal so this could be one thing to consider for addition.

Also, the significance of disease findings, that promotion of play and increasing positive welfare in pig production is very positive for the public.It supports sustainability of intensive systems and also improves public trust.

This project is targeting producers.We would really like them embrace the value of positive welfare through the promotion of play and also try to understand that it can be beneficial to promote positive welfare on farms.

We also want to incorporate this into animal care assessment programs and add it to pork quality assurance.This work can also open doors for international markets demanding higher welfare or also create opportunities for niche markets.

Source : Farmscape.ca

Video: Why Invest in Canada’s Seed Future? | On The Brink: Episode 3

Darcy Unger just invested millions to build a brand-new seed plant on his farm in Stonewall, Manitoba so when it’s time for his sons to take over, they have the tools they need to succeed.

Right now, 95% of the genetics they’ll be growing come from Canadian plant breeders.

That number matters.

When fusarium hit Western Canada in the late 90s, it was Canadian breeders who responded, because they understood Canadian conditions. That ability to react quickly to what’s happening on Canadian farms is exactly what’s at risk when breeding programs lose funding.

For farmers like Darcy, who have made generational investments based on the assumption that better genetics will keep coming, the stakes are direct and personal.

We’re on the brink of decisions that will shape our agricultural future for not only our generation, but also the ones to come.

What direction will we choose?

On The Brink is a year-long video series traveling across Canada to meet the researchers, breeders, farmers, seed companies, and policymakers shaping the future of Canadian plant breeding. Each week, a new story. Each story, a piece of the bigger picture.

Episode 3 is above. Follow Seed World Canada to catch every episode, and tell us: Do you think the next generation will have the tools they need to success when they takeover? How is the future going to look?