EFFECTS OF CLIMATIC ELEMENTS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF PIGS IN MIZORAM
Loading...
Date
2012-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati
Abstract
The study was carried out in four districts of Mizoram namely Aizawl, Lunglei, Champhai and Kolasib. To study the effect of climatic elements on the performance of pigs in Mizoram, monthly information i.e. meteorological data and pig performance data were collected from MIRSAC (Mizoram Remote Sensing Application Center) and organized piggery farms located in selected districts of Mizoram (from 2002 January till 2012 December). The average maximum temperature, minimum temperature, mean temperature, rainfall and relative humidity were 29.019±0.2°C, 16.18±0.27°C, 22.60±0.18°C, 254.03±0.15 mm and 79.721±0.49 per cent respectively. There was a significance variation in climatic elements from 2002- to 2012. It was also found that summer/monsoon is the longest season. The average birth weight of piglet ranges from 1.003 Kg-1.172 Kg and average weaning weight ranges from 8.261- 9.605 Kg. There was no significant difference in different years and season has no significant effect on weaning weight but significant effect on birth weight (P<0.05). Maximum temperatures and relative humidity was found to be negative correlate (P<0.05) with the weaning weight. The average range of litter size at birth was 5.910- 7.656 and litter weight at birth was 6.144-8.684 Kg. The average litter size at weaning ranges from 5.001-6.758 and litter weight at weaning ranges from 45.353-61.148 Kg. The year wise studies revealed the significant difference (P<0.05) in litter size at birth with highly significant difference (P<0.01) in litter weight at birth, litter size at weaning and litter weight at weaning indicating that period has significant effect on the reproductive performance of pigs. Winter and summer/monsoon seasons had negative correlation (P<0.05) with the litter traits. There is a positive correlation between the climatic elements and the litter size at weaning and litter weight at weaning. Secular trend showed that ambient temperature is having a positive correlation with the litter size and litter weight. The average farrowing interval ranges from 6.188±0.20 to 7.688±0.23 months. Period had significant effect on the farrowing interval (P<0.01). Secular trend revealed the correlation between ambient temperature and farrowing intervals. The average pre-weaning mortality per cent ranges from 8.15 to 22.93 per cent over the 11 years and there was significant effect of year on the pre-weaning mortality (P<0.01). Secular trend revealed that pre-weaning mortality is having a correlation with mean temperature. Causes of piglet mortality were diarrhoea, respiratory diseases, cold stress, overlying, general weakness and hereditary. Diarrhoea was highest during monsoon, cold stress during winter, overlying in autumn and monsoon and respiratory problem during autumn and winter season. Forecasting from 2012-2015 revealed that climatic elements showed almost straight trend line. However, the mean temperature slightly decreases from 2013 to 2015. Forecasting analysis revealed that average litter size, total litter at birth, litter size at weaning, total litter at weaning will significantly increase (P<0.01) from 2012-to 2015. The significant increase (P<0.01) in the forecasted value of total pre-weaning mortality (2013 to 2015) might be having a negative correlation with decreasing trend of ambient temperature. The present study revealed that warm temperature is required for the better performance of piglets. Cold temperature was found to be less stressful for the sows and heavy rainfall increased the piglet mortality. Overall, study of climatic elements during 11 years (2002 to 2012) was found to have direct and indirect effect on the performance of pigs in Mizoram.
Description
Keywords
null