Impact of early life nutrition on nutrient utilization, physiology, and health status of piglets

An improved knowledge of the interaction between birth weight and early-life nutrition is necessary to improve growth performance and health status of piglets. Studies will be conducted that examine the physiological differences between low and normal birth weight piglets, the impact of early-life nutrition on nutrient use and growth performance, and the impact of nursery diet on health status and ability to resist disease challenge. The swine industry is an economically important industry in Canada and it is expected that the information generated from these projects will help to improve the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of the Canadian pork value chain.

Faculty Supervisor:

Andrew Van Kessel

Student:

Michael Wellington

Partner:

Prairie Swine Centre Inc.

Discipline:

Animal science

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

University of Saskatchewan