The protocol used to estimate the number of rodents in a swine facility is from the Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Program (PEQAP). The protocol has been adjusted for use with swine facilities. An infrared camera was used to see the rate of infestation. By using both methods to estimate the severity of the problem, the confidence of the protocol was raised. Dr. Karsten, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Sciences at Kirkwood, stated that mice were very seldom seen. Evidence of mouse droppings and chewing on paint sticks was observed. At the Kirkwood facility no mice were filmed with the infrared camera and no mice were trapped. At a producer’s farm, the manager stated that mice are seen during the day and he stated that the feeders show signs of mouse droppings. When the lights are turned on, many mice are scrambling to hide. The infrared camera filmed up to seven mice per feeder. Fortythree mice were trapped at day 3 and 29 more by day 7, for a total of 72 mice trapped. Estimating rodent infestation with the Tin Cat rodent traps appears to be an effective estimation method. The Mississippi State visual estimation is a good indicator for assessing a need to check for rodent infestations. The “Robo-Rat” works for visual evaluation, but is not a practical on farm tool for assessing rodent populations.

PRESENTERS: Mark Honeyman, coordinator, Research and Demonstration Farms, ISU; Don Lay, Department of Animal Science, ISU; Larry Jedlicka, producer and Practical Fanners of Iowa member, Solon; Paul Mugge, producer and Practical Farmers of Iowa member, Sutherland; Jim Kliebenstein, Department of Agricultural Economics, ISU; Mike Duffy, Department of Agricultural Economics, ISU MODERATOR: Terry Steinhart, ISU Extension swine specialist, East Central Area RECORDER: Dave Stender, ISU Extension swine specialist, Southwest Area

This demonstration project studied the differences in farrowing crate designs and the survival of piglets. Three basic crate designs were studied: crates with hydraulic side rails, crates with solid rod finger side rails, and freestall crates. Crates with hydraulic sides in this study had more pigs born alive, had fewer pigs born dead, weaned more pigs, and had higher weaned litter weights than any other crate studied. The freestall crates had the least number of pigs born alive, weaned fewest pigs, and had the lightest litter weaned weights. Freestall crates fell in the middle of hydraulic and solid rod crates for pigs born dead. The solid rod crates fell in the middle of hydraulic and freestall crates for pigs born alive and weaned litter weight. Solid rod crates weaned slightly more pigs than freestalls. Solid rod crates had the most number of pigs born dead. Flooring layout was not replicated for all crate designs. Although flooring may have had an influence on the results it was not measurable in this study.

Nine different terminal sire lines were a Yorkshire/landrace sow herd at the Kirkwood Community College over a 30-month time span to determine production and economic merits of different sire lines. 1 The lowest backfat of the progeny came from the Danbred sire line. Premier T-Max sire line gave the progeny the largest loin muscle area and the highest per cent lean. The Waldo Duroc sire line produces the lowest selling age, lowest days to 250 lb., highest terminal sire index and highest overall economic value. The data indicate all the mated sire lines can provide positive contributions to commercial swine production. The use of a particular sire line within a herd will depend on the compliments of the sow herd, the desired progeny results, and the anticipated marketing outlet.