Transportation Quality Assurance for Pigs

Study Notes

Transportation

Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) involves proper handling, ensuring the pig's fitness for transport, and adhering to transportation guidelines.
Pigs should have enough space to lie down and stand up comfortably during transport.
Handling tools can be used as:
- Physical barriers, like a sort board
- Visual barriers, like a "Matador's cape"
- Auditory stimuli, like a rattle or shaker paddle
- Visual stimuli, like a nylon flag
Proper handling by handlers involves:
- Calm demeanor
- Avoiding sudden movements, loud noises and distractions
- Moving pigs at their natural walking pace
- Avoiding aggressive handling.
Aggressive handling includes:
- Overuse or improper use of electric prods
- Yelling at the pigs
- Moving pigs too fast or in large groups
- Overcrowding pigs in chutes and ramps
Willful acts of abuse are strictly unacceptable.
Herding is effective as pigs like to:
- Stay in visual and physical contact with each other
- Follow each other.
Herding helps to move pigs:
- Up or down ramps and chutes
- Through hallways and alleyways
- Into or out of pens and rooms.
Pigs are sensitive to environmental changes including:
- Floor surface
- Footing
- Temperature
- Lighting.
Other distractions include:
- People
- Drafts and wind
- Shadows
- Noises.
Any pig unable to walk, is ill or significantly injured should not be transported.
In cases where likelihood of recovery is low, pigs should be humanely euthanized.
Transporters have the right and responsibility to deny transport to unfit pigs.
Stress signs in pigs include:
- Open mouth breathing
- Vocalization
- Blotchy skin
- Stiffness
- Muscle tremors
- Reluctance to move
- Increased heart rate
- Elevated temperature

Marketing

Marketing strategy depends on various factors:
- Biosecurity protocols
- Pig flow
- Floor space
- Feed resources
- Market outlets
- Packer buying matrix
Split marketing involves marketing:
- The heaviest 25% to 50% of pigs in pens earlier than their pen mates
- Aiming to maximize premiums paid by processors.
Split Marketing may:
- Increase weight variation among market pigs
- Reduce the opportunity to maximize benefits
- Influence performance and social dynamics
All in-all out systems are typically used in swine production.

Procurement

Procurement refers to the acquisition of goods.
Contracts and spot markets are used to acquire hogs.
Pork Procurement Managers are the link between pork producers and packing companies.
Procurement Manager Responsibilities include:
- Purchasing hogs
- Managing contractual relationships
- Ensuring all hogs are handled properly and animal welfare guidelines are followed
- Encouraging pork producers to improve their hog quality.