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Farming '92, 1992-03-18, Page 20A20. FARMING ’92, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18,1992. . Kill .S il! ill Farming '92 Comfortable pigs do best, studies show BY ED BARRIE OMAF SWINE SPECIALIST FOR PERTH COUNTY Finishing pigs perform best with warm dry pens, fresh air, constant temperatures and no drafts. Records have shown production costs can increase by 15 per cent if the animals environment is not suit­ able. Pigs weighing 20 to 50 kg. require a temperature of 20°C, but within a range of 18 to 28°C. Above 28° feed intake is decreased. Below 18°C feed is converted to heat, and growth performance is reduced. Another area of concern directly affected by management is group size. For production purposes no group should exceed 16 animals. If more than 16 animals are housed together, feed intake will decrease, and aggression and activity in the pen will increase. This results in longer days to market of the less aggressive pigs in the pen, and often produces tail enders, or poor doing pigs. Performance appears to improve if group size is established when animals are in the 50-55 kg. size and kept together until marketed. Overcrowding is a management error that is easy to commit. Any pen should have defined areas for eating, sleeping, and manuring. Too little space will reduce feed intake and rate of gain and increase fighting, tail biting and pen dirty­ ing. Partially slotted floored pens should be stocked at a rate of 25 lbs. of pig per square foot. To achieve the best levels of per­ formance under any set of condi- tions, the feed must meet the requirements of the animals. The common problem with farm mixed rations is that they are below the minimum requirement levels of the Pigs- Poor mixing practises, and failure to test the ingredients and the fin­ ished product are the most frequent errors producers make. Because the requirements of the pig change considerably, it is recommended to have at least two diets, one from 20 to 50 kg., and a second from 50 to 100 kg. If split-sex feeding is prac­ tised, the groups should be separat­ ed at 20 kg., and the females fed a diet higher in energy protein and lysine. Management practises involve strict attention to fine detail, and careful adjustments when problems are noted. INSTANT FAX PROPERLY TILED FARM LAND IS A NECESSITY!^! OUR CREW IS READY AND WAITING FOR YOUR CALL AS F.A.S.T. AS PHONE Excise fax removal could spur rural jobs The 1992 Federal Budget of Finance Minister Don Mazankows- ki, removing the excise tax on ethanol-blended fuels, is a strong signal to the marketplace support­ ing renewable fuels, improved air quality and value-added agricultur­ al products, says the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA). “The removal of the 8.5 per cent excise tax on the ethanol portion of blended fuels puts ethanol on a level playing field with other alter­ native fuels,” says Jim Johnson, president of CRFA. “Ethanol- blended fuel is the only automotive fuel designated by Environment Canada as an Environmental Choice product and this decision is in keeping with federal environ­ mental and agricultural policy.” The CRFA appreciates the strong support of Finance Minister Don Mazankow ski, Agriculture Minister Bill McKnight, Grains and Oilseeds Minister Charles Mayer and members of the government caucus who brought forward the representations from association members. “The impact of the decision will be broad based,” says Johnson. “The agriculture community will benefit from a new domestic mar­ ket, rural communities will receive a needed economic boost, proces­ sors and retailers can market an economically competitive and envi- ronmentally-friendly product, and the environment is enhanced through improved air quality.” CRFA also appreciates the strong support from other political parties which have called for the develop­ ment and production of ethanol. Particular mention must go to Lambton M.P. and former federal Agriculture Minister Ralph Fergu­ son for his solid campaign in sup­ port of ethanol and improved air quality. The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association has already received news of processors and retailers interested in producing and market­ ing ethanol and ethanol-blended fuels in Ontario, as a result of the announcements. “This measure will assist in the development of a national ethanol industry. It’s a case of a little investment for a big return,” says the CRFA president. “The $25 mil­ lion cost of eliminating the excise tax will be offset by reduced sup­ port payments to farmers as a result of increased demand and higher prices.” CRFA is a partnership of farm organizations, energy companies, environmental groups, the academ­ ic community, agri-business, pro­ cessors, and retailers committed to the development and promotion of renewable fuels such as ethanol. 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