A study of some of the factors affecting the formation of esophagogastric ulcers in swine

In 1963 the 82 million swine slaughtered in the United States grossed 3 billion dollars, or 7. 25 per cent of the gross farm income. Although per capita consumption varied only 0,1 of a pound between 1960 and 1964 (65.2 and 65.3, respectively), it is known that an increasing population demands more total pounds of pork products each year. For example, in 1964 the consumption of pork products was 165 million pounds greater than in 1963. In Tennessee, farmers grossed 49.981,000 dollars from the sale of swine in 1963. This represented 8 to 9 per cent of the gross farm income, placing Tennessee thirteenth in the United States in swine production. Esophagogastric ulcers have been diagnosed in swine of all age groups, and death losses due to ulcerated conditions have been reported at all intervening ages. These deaths, however, have not usually occurred in large numbers. To maintain and improve present efficiencies in swine production, attention needs to be given to the problem before it becomes more extensive. With this in mind the objectives of this study were: 1. To determine the effect of feed processing on the incidence of gastrointestinal disturbances in growing-finishing swine. 2. To determine the age that introduction and/or omission of an ulcer-inducing ration affects the degree of ulceration observed. 3. To determine the relative value of different rationing for prevention of ulcers in growing-finishing swine on pasture and/or in confinement.