@article{martinez aguiriano_salazar_pietrosemoli_schmidt_awosile_garcia_2024, title={Understanding Communication Barriers: Demographic Variables and Language Needs in the Interaction between English-Speaking Animal Professionals and Spanish-Speaking Animal Caretakers}, volume={14}, ISSN={["2076-2615"]}, DOI={10.3390/ani14040624}, abstractNote={Simple Summary This study aimed to understand the language challenges faced by English-speaking animal professionals when communicating with Hispanic/Spanish-speaking animal caretakers. A survey was conducted among bilingual and non-Spanish-speaking professionals, revealing that non-Spanish-speaking individuals struggled with both written and oral communication compared to bilingual counterparts. Female professionals exhibited differences in their responses, particularly regarding the importance of certain aspects of the Spanish language while interacting with Hispanic caretakers. These findings highlight communication gaps that need to be addressed to improve interactions with on-farm Hispanic/Spanish-speaking animal caretakers and consequently contribute to enhancing animal health, welfare, and production. Abstract This study focused on assessing the language needs of English-speaking animal professionals in their interactions with Hispanic/Spanish-speaking animal caretakers. A survey was administered to a target audience of non-Spanish speaking and bilingual animal professionals to identify communication gaps while interacting with Hispanic/Spanish-speaking animal caretakers. The data was analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics, including ordinal regression analyses to examine the impact of demographic variables on respondents’ answer choices. The results showed that English-speaking professionals struggled with written and oral communication, which differed compared to bilingual professionals (p < 0.05). Additionally, responses of female professionals varied regarding the aspects of Spanish necessary for interacting with Hispanic/Spanish-speaking animal caretakers, as well as the topics likely to be addressed when agriculture professionals communicate with animal caretakers (p < 0.05). Communication difficulties in the oral medium for both oral receptive skills (listening) and oral productive skills (speaking) were reported as the major barriers that animal professionals need to overcome in their attempt to communicate with the Hispanic/Spanish-speaking workforce in farm settings. This emphasizes the need to address oral communication barriers, and to a lesser degree, the development of reading and writing skills. The topics: typical clinical signs of illness, euthanasia, treatment—drugs, and identification of sick or injured animals were identified as the most likely to be addressed during on-farm interactions. These findings indicate that there are gaps in communication that need to be overcome to improve communication with on-farm Hispanic/Spanish-speaking animal caretakers and consequently contribute to enhancing animal health, welfare, and production.}, number={4}, journal={ANIMALS}, author={Martinez Aguiriano, Allen Jimena and Salazar, Leonor and Pietrosemoli, Silvana and Schmidt, Marcelo and Awosile, Babafela and Garcia, Arlene}, year={2024}, month={Feb} }
 @article{pietrosemoli_green_villamide_2020, title={A Comparison of Stocking Methods for Pasture-Based Growing-Finishing Pig Production Systems}, volume={10}, ISSN={["2076-2615"]}, DOI={10.3390/ani10101885}, abstractNote={Simple Summary A sustainable pasture-based production system should provide benefits to the vegetation, soil and animals while providing means of economic support for the household that operates the system. If best management practices are implemented, this would allow the development of resilience for the pasture system and ameliorate the natural resources for present and future generations. Pasture-based pig production represents a production alternative for small scale or limited-resources farmers, offering them the possibility to brand their products. The implementation of best management practices would allow managers to reach productive and conservation goals. This study was conducted to compare the effects of continuous, rotational and strip-grazing stocking methods for growing-finishing pigs on tall fescue pastures. Stocking methods had effect on soil bulk density and some soil nutrients, vegetative ground cover, animal weight gain and feed use efficiency. The rotational and strip grazing stocking methods offer potential to improve the sustainability of pasture-based pig systems. Abstract Two alternative stocking methods (rotational and strip-grazing) were compared to continuous stocking at a stocking rate of 47 pigs ha−1 in tall fescue pastures. The research was conducted during two twelve-weeks grazing periods in North Carolina (USA). In total 144 (females and castrated males, 17.5 and 29.1 kg initial body weight) crossbred Yorkshire X Berkshire, Yorkshire/Landrace X Hampshire and Yorkshire/Landrace X Duroc pigs without nose rings were used. Greater soil bulk density and soil concentrations of NO3−, P, K, Mn, Zn and Cu were observed in paddocks managed continuously, while greater final ground cover (+22%) was recorded in paddocks managed with rotational and strip-grazing stocking methods. No differences were detected in botanical composition of the paddocks. Greater weight gains (+8.5%) were registered for rotationally managed pigs. Feed efficiency was better (+8%) for rotationally than for continuously stocked pigs, while strip-grazed pigs presented intermediate values. The results indicated the potential of both alternative stocking methods to be implemented in sustainable pasture-based pig production systems.}, number={10}, journal={ANIMALS}, author={Pietrosemoli, Silvana and Green, James T. and Villamide, Maria Jesus}, year={2020}, month={Oct} }
 @misc{pietrosemoli_tang_2020, title={Animal Welfare and Production Challenges Associated with Pasture Pig Systems: A Review}, volume={10}, ISSN={["2077-0472"]}, DOI={10.3390/agriculture10060223}, abstractNote={A review of published literature was conducted to identify pasture pig production system features that pose risks to animal welfare, and to develop recommendations aimed at improving the wellbeing of the animals managed in those systems. Pasture pig production systems present specific challenges to animal welfare that are inherent to the nature of these systems where producers have little room to make improvements. However, these systems present other challenges that could be reduced with a carefully designed system, by adopting appropriate management strategies and by avoiding management practices that are likely to negatively affect animal wellbeing. In pasture pig production systems, exposure to extreme temperatures, potential contact with wildlife and pathogens (especially parasites), vulnerability to predators, risk of malnutrition, pre-weaning piglet mortality, complexity of processes for monitoring and treating sick animals, and for cleaning and disinfection of facilities and equipment are among the main threats to animal welfare.}, number={6}, journal={AGRICULTURE-BASEL}, author={Pietrosemoli, Silvana and Tang, Clara}, year={2020}, month={Jun} }
 @article{pietrosemoli_raczkowski_green_villamide_2020, title={Effects of Growing-Finishing Pig Stocking Rates on Bermudagrass Ground Cover and Soil Properties}, volume={10}, ISSN={["2076-2615"]}, DOI={10.3390/ani10091666}, abstractNote={Simple Summary A common challenge for most livestock industries is to identify more productive, efficient and sustainable pasture-based production systems that have a positive effect on animal welfare, biodiversity and long-term operation profitability without negatively influencing the environment. Implementing best management practices allows producers to achieve profitability and environmental goals. Maintaining an appropriate ground cover, minimizing the use of external inputs as fertilizers and pesticides and adopting agroecological approaches are key for sustainable pasture management. Pasture-based pig production systems are considered animal welfare and environmentally friendly. However, the number of animals grazing can influence the vegetation ground cover and the amount of nutrients imported to the systems. This study compared the effects of four different pig stocking rates (37, 74, 111 or 148 pigs ha−1) over two 14-week grazing periods, on the vegetation ground cover and soil properties of bermudagrass paddocks. Increasing the number of animals aggravated the damage to the vegetative ground cover and raised the amount of nutrients deposited on the soil. For conservation purposes, the number of pigs grazing bermudagrass should be equal to or less than 37 pigs ha−1. Abstract This study compares four stocking rates (37, 74, 111 and 148 pigs ha−1) for growing to finishing pigs (18.4 ± 0.5 kg and 118.5 ± 2.0 kg and 35.7 ± 2.1 kg and 125.7 ± 2.3 kg initial and final BW for grazing periods 1 and 2, respectively) and their effect on ground cover and soil traits in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers) pastures, over two 14-week grazing periods (July–September and May–August). The study was conducted at the Center for Environmental Farming systems at the Cherry Research Station, Goldsboro North Carolina. A continuous stocking method was implemented to manage the pasture. The percent ground cover was estimated with a modified step point technique. Soil samples were collected in three sampling positions (center, inner and outer areas of the paddocks) and two soil sampling depths (0–30 and 30–90 cm). The experimental design was a completely randomized block with three field replicates. Data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS/STAT ® Version 9.4. Greater ground cover and lesser soil nutrient concentrations were registered in bermudagrass paddocks managed with 37 pigs ha−1. The results of this study also validated the existence of a spatial pattern of soil properties, which differed among sampling positions and depths.}, number={9}, journal={ANIMALS}, author={Pietrosemoli, Silvana and Raczkowski, Charles and Green, James T., Jr. and Villamide, Maria Jesus}, year={2020}, month={Sep} }
 @article{pietrosemoli_green_jesus villamide_2020, title={Sows-Gilts Stocking Rates and Their Environmental Impact in Rotationally Managed Bermudagrass Paddocks}, volume={10}, ISSN={["2076-2615"]}, DOI={10.3390/ani10061046}, abstractNote={Simple Summary Maintaining a ground cover greater than 75% and controlling nutrient loading and distribution are considered best management practices for pasture pig operations. These practices improve soil health and water quality, by minimizing runoff containing soil, water and nutrients. Those goals are not easily reached when managing pigs on pastures. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of three sow stocking rates (10, 15 or 25 sows-gilts ha−1) on ground cover and soil nutrient concentrations of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers) paddocks managed in a rotational stocking system. Increasing the Stocking rates were inversely related with the deterioration of vegetative ground cover and directly related to soil nutrient loads in the soil. The stocking rates should be kept in the range of 10 to 15 sows-gilts ha−1 to minimize the environmental impact of sows-gilts managed on bermudagrass. Abstract Ground cover maintenance and nutrients management are key elements to reduce the environmental impact of outdoor swine production. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of sows-gilts stocking rates on vegetative ground cover and soil nutrient concentrations in rotationally stocked bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers) pastures. Three stocking rates (10, 15 and 25 sows-gilts ha−1) were compared during three 8-week grazing periods. Increasing the stocking rate from 10 to 25 sows-gilts ha−1 decreased the ground cover of the paddocks from 65 to 48%, and increased soil nutrient concentrations (ammonium 47%; nitrate 129%; phosphorus 53%; zinc 84%; and copper 29%).}, number={6}, journal={ANIMALS}, author={Pietrosemoli, Silvana and Green, James T., Jr. and Jesus Villamide, Maria}, year={2020}, month={Jun} }
 @misc{jordana rivero_rodriguez-estevez_pietrosemoli_carballo_cooke_kongsted_2019, title={Forage Consumption and Its Effects on the Performance of Growing Swine-Discussed in Relation to European Wild Boar (Sus scrofa L.) in Semi-Extensive Systems: A Review}, volume={9}, ISSN={["2076-2615"]}, DOI={10.3390/ani9070457}, abstractNote={Simple Summary Outdoor-reared European wild boar (Sus Scrofa L.) is regarded as a delicacy by consumers due to its favourable meat properties and an association with high welfare standards. The rearing of wild boar on pasture has the potential to minimise input costs relative to conventional production systems. However, some pasture production systems have been found to perform poorly due to low growth rates. This review collates the available scientific evidence on pasture-based production of wild boar and domestic pigs, to identify factors that influence feed intake, performance, and behaviour. Factors explored include season/weather, dietary supplementation, grazing management, forage availability, herbage quality, and sward type. For example, the additional feed availability associated with pasture grazing has been shown to be a significant factor that positively correlates with dry matter intake of wild boar. This has been demonstrated to result in better feed conversion efficiency and reduced feed costs without reductions in growth rates compared to animals without access to pasture. Furthermore, the increased availability of favoured species in pasture may also promote dry matter intake. The long-term sustainability of wild boar production is dependent on the economic, social, and environmental viability of the systems. Pasture-based production systems may be one way by which this can be achieved, but only if implemented correctly. Abstract Due to its distinct properties, wild boar meat is considered a highly desirable consumer product, in a market that is expanding. Outdoor production is also favoured by consumers who value animal welfare and environmental sustainability when choosing meat products. There is evidence that farms that include pasture for grazing typically have reduced feeding costs. Such production systems can also be more environmentally sustainable as the input (pasture) is inedible to humans, compared to conventional indoor systems, which use human-edible feeds (e.g., soya). However, some wild boar farms have performed poorly compared to those rearing other swine such as hybrid wild boar and domestic pigs. Diet is central to all livestock production and is likely a significant influencing factor of wild boar performance, both in terms of forage consumption and nutritional composition. Other factors may also influence performance, such as weather, behaviour and grazing management. Wild boar production systems hold their own intrinsic value in a growing marketplace. However, information gathered through the study of wild boar has external applications in informing outdoor domestic pig production systems to encourage the use of pasture as part of the habitat of domestic pigs.}, number={7}, journal={ANIMALS}, author={Jordana Rivero, M. and Rodriguez-Estevez, Vicente and Pietrosemoli, Silvana and Carballo, Cecilia and Cooke, Andrew S. and Kongsted, Anne Grete}, year={2019}, month={Jul} }
 @article{picardy_pietrosemoli_griffin_peters_2019, title={Niche pork: Comparing pig performance and understanding producer benefits, barriers and labeling interest}, volume={34}, ISSN={["1742-1713"]}, DOI={10.1017/S1742170517000230}, abstractNote={Abstract Opportunities for alternative swine production and marketing are emerging across the value chain. Given the developing nature of the differentiated pork industry, measurements of niche performance and success are not yet fully known. For this reason, the objectives of this study were to determine performance metrics across all major life phases for niche pork production and compare such metrics with national averages of conventional commodity pork production. Additionally, this study aimed to quantify producers’ reasoning and barriers to successfully raising niche swine. Niche meat producers in the USA self-identified for this study (n = 176); their swine production had alternative characteristics that included small- to mid-sized farms, farrow-to-finish operations, heritage breeds, housing with bedding and outdoor or pasture access, no use of antibiotics (sub-therapeutic for growth promotion or no antibiotics ever), vegetarian feed, diverse agricultural enterprises and alternative marketing avenues. This study focused on the metric categories regarding reproduction, mortality, culling and growth characteristics. The niche system produced approximately 15% fewer weaned piglets per bred sow per year than the conventional system due to fewer breeding cycles, smaller litters and higher piglet mortality in alternative production. Similarly, niche production finished 12% fewer hogs per bred sow per year than conventional production. Regarding age benchmarks of finishing and breeding, the niche system averaged 18 additional days to finish hogs at a standardized market weight of 124 kg. Likewise, niche production gilts were first bred at 283 days, whereas conventional production breeds gilts at 225 days. All directly comparable metrics were found to be statistically significant with 95% confidence for the one-sample test of means. Regarding farmer attitudes toward niche pork, survey participants shared personal reasons for raising swine and barriers to successful niche production. Choosing niche over commodity swine, participants’ reasons were grouped into three intra-related categories: (1) farm and producer viability, (2) animal and environmental welfare, and (3) consumer preference and taste. Despite these benefits, participants were faced with numerous challenges, which were organized into four intra-related categories: (1) alternative production requirements, restrictions and knowledge; (2) access and affordability of credit and inputs; (3) alternative supply chain for processing, marketing and customers; and (4) non-niche production competition and governmental policies. In sum, the success of these niche pork operations equates to high welfare for the pigs, economic viability for the operation, personal enjoyment for the farmer, customer satisfaction with meat flavor and quality, and responsible environmental practices, inclusive of many components of an alternative food system.}, number={1}, journal={RENEWABLE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS}, author={Picardy, Jamie A. and Pietrosemoli, Silvana and Griffin, Timothy S. and Peters, Christian J.}, year={2019}, month={Feb}, pages={7–19} }
 @article{pietrosemoli_green_2018, title={Pasture systems for pigs}, ISBN={["978-1-78676-096-8"]}, DOI={10.19103/AS.2017.0013.21}, abstractNote={The inclusion of pastures in outdoor pig systems contributes significantly to improving the sustainability of these farming systems. This chapter examines the characteristics of pasture pig systems, including forages and pasture management as well the effects of pasture on meat quality. The chapter also provides a detailed case study of the pasture pig system developed at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in the United States. Finally, the chapter looks ahead to future research in the field of sustainable pasture pig systems and provides guidance on further reading in this area.}, journal={ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF PIG MEAT, VOL 3: ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE}, author={Pietrosemoli, Silvana and Green, James T.}, year={2018}, pages={151–202} }
 @article{pietrosemoli_moron-fuenmayor_paez_villamide_2016, title={Effect of including sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam) meal in finishing pig diets on growth performance, carcass traits and pork quality}, volume={87}, ISSN={["1740-0929"]}, DOI={10.1111/asj.12546}, abstractNote={The partial replacement of a commercial concentrate at 10-20% and 15-30% (the first percentage of each dietary treatment corresponded to weeks 1-3 and the second to weeks 4-7 of the experiment, respectively) by sweet potato meal (SPM; 70% foliage: 30% roots) was evaluated for growth performance, carcass yield, instrumental and sensory pork quality using 36 commercial crossbred pigs (56.8 ± 1.3 kg initial body weight). Three dietary treatments were compared in a randomized complete block design. Most growth, carcass traits and pork quality variables were not affected by the SPM inclusion. Growth performance averaged 868 g/day and feed efficiency 0.24 kg/kg. However, feed intake increased 2.2% (P = 0.04) in pigs fed the 10-20% SPM diets, in a similar order of magnitude as the decrease in dietary energy. Despite an increase in gastrointestinal tract as a percent of hot carcass weight (+14.7%) (P = 0.03) with SPM inclusion, carcass yield averaged 69.4%. Conversely, decreases in loin yield (-4.2%) (P = 0.05), backfat thickness (-6.0%) (P < 0.01) and pork tenderness (-13%) (P = 0.02) were observed with 15-30% SPM inclusion. Results suggest that up to 20% SPM inclusion is a viable feed strategy for finishing pigs, easily replicable in small farm settings. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science.}, number={10}, journal={ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL}, author={Pietrosemoli, Silvana and Moron-Fuenmayor, Oneida Elizabeth and Paez, Angel and Villamide, Maria Jesus}, year={2016}, month={Oct}, pages={1281–1290} }
 @article{bordeaux_grossman_white_osmond_poore_pietrosemoli_2014, title={Effects of rotational infrastructure within pasture-raised pig operations on ground cover, soil nutrient distribution, and bulk density}, volume={69}, ISSN={["1941-3300"]}, DOI={10.2489/jswc.69.2.120}, abstractNote={Interest in pasture-based pork products has increased significantly in recent years. However, nitrogen (N) losses resulting from these systems are common due to importation of feed, high stocking rates, and pig behavior. This study was conducted to evaluate soil inorganic N, soil-test phosphorus (STP), ground cover, and compaction changes as impacted by rotational shade, water, and feed structures in a pasture-raised pig operation over two 12-week pig occupations. Shade and watering structures were rotated weekly for 12 weeks within a rotational (mobile) scheme; data were compared to a stationary structure system as well as to a managed hay operation with no pigs. Soil samples were acquired from subplots and analyzed for distribution of inorganic N concentrations among main plot treatments, including nitrate (NO3), ammonium (NH4), and STP values. Soil inorganic N concentrations were higher in exterior subplot positions than in interior positions. This pattern was not maintained after a second pig group occupied the plots. Soil test phosphorus was unaffected by either pig occupation. Ground cover percentages were higher in control (hay) treatments than for pig treatments, however no difference was found between mobile and stationary structure treatments in either pig occupation. Soil compaction, as measured by soil bulk density, was found to be higher under permanent shade structure locations as compared to mobile and control treatments. Mobile and control compaction levels were not different for the second occupation, utilizing a more intensive sampling scheme, suggesting a benefit to the rotation of shade, water and feed infrastructure. The weekly rotation of infrastructure performed during both occupations was both labor intensive and time consuming. The observed lack of improvement in nutrient distribution to a rotational infrastructure may limit its utility in pastured-pig systems. However, further options are available that would allow the production of pasture-raised pigs while minimizing associated nutrient loading and pasture degradation.}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION}, publisher={Soil and Water Conservation Society}, author={Bordeaux, C. and Grossman, J. and White, J. and Osmond, D. and Poore, M. and Pietrosemoli, S.}, year={2014}, pages={120–130} }