ABSTRACT:The present report describes a series of adverse events recorded in gilts and sows at a pig-breeding farm. The animals were listless, had poor appetite and dyspnea, sneezed and coughed, but were afebrile. Subsequently, an increased number of spontaneous abortions occurred, eventually rising to 50 times their average number. The usual infective causes of abortion were ruled out by diagnostic testing; however, the results of drinking water analysis pointed to over-chlorination, with a free chlorine residual concentration of 2.11 mg/l, caused by failure of the chlorinator dispenser connected to the water supplying system seven days previously. Analysis of data on reproductive parameters indicated that the over-chlorinated drinking water directly induced an increase in the number of abortions after only two days of consumption, whereas 7-day consumption of over-chlorinated drinking water had a direct delayed effect on the increased return to oestrus in gilts and sows, and on the increased percentage of stillborn piglets (all P < 0.001). The consequential indirect delayed effect manifested itself as a reduced number of farrowings in gilts and sows, and a lower total number of piglets born (both P < 0.001).

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This test consisted of 2 parts, a field application of the granular insecticides and a laboratory bioassay. Insecticides were applied to conventionally planted and tilled peanuts in a light loamy sand soil at the Wiregrass Experiment Substation at Headland, AL. Eight treatments and a control were replicated 4 times in a RCBD. Each plot was 6 rows wide (36 inch row spacing) and 50 ft long. All insecticides were applied with a small plot granular applicator in a 7 inch band over the row. Dyfonate II 15G was applied at planting on 11 May and again with the other insecticides at flowering on 8 Jul. A second application of Lorsban 15G was made 27 d after flowering, on 3 Aug. Soil samples were taken from each plot once a wk by collecting a subsample (12 inches wide × 4 inches long × 1 inch deep) from 3 randomly-selected rows within each plot. Each subsample was taken by centering the longitudinal axis of the sample over the row. Samples were taken to the laboratory and refrigerated at 0°C until assaying. Soil was air dried to less than 1% moisture, and poured to a depth of 0.5 inches in a 1.0 oz plastic diet cup. Three cups were used for each plot, for a total of 12 cups per treatment. Three 1st instar larvae were put into each cup and were given a plug of artificial diet. Effectiveness of each insecticide was evaluated by exposing 36 larvae (4 replicates times 3 cups per plot times 3 larvae per cup) to each treatment. Larvae were incubated in a controlled environment chamber at 30°C. The number of living and dead larvae was recorded at 72 h.

This field test was conducted in conventionally planted and tilled soybeans at the Plant Breeding Unit of the E. V. Smith Agricultural Experiment Station near Tallassee, AL. Twelve treatments and a control were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Each plot was 6 rows wide (36 inch row spacing) and 50 ft. long. Replicates were separated by a 25 ft alley. Insecticides were applied in water on 4 Sep using a CO2 boom sprayer equipped with 2, TX-3 hollow cone nozzles/row operating at 40 psi and delivering 10 gal/acre. Insect populations were sampled by placing a standard 3 ft beat sheet between the rows and beating both rows. Two samples were taken from each plot 18 h before treatment and at 4 and 7 DAT.

This field test was conducted in conventionally planted and tilled peanuts in a light loamy sand soil at the Wiregrass Agricultural Substation at Headland, AL. Nine treatments and a control were replicated 4 times in a RCB design. Each plot was 6 rows wide (36 inch row spacing) and 50 ft long. Insecticides were applied in water on 15 Sep using a CO2 boom sprayer equipped with 2, TX-2 hollow cone nozzles/row operating at 40 psi and delivering 10 gal/acre. Threecornered alfalfa hopper populations were sampled by using a standard canvas sweep net and taking two 10 sweep samples/plot. Sampling took place 18 h before treatment and at 2 and 7 DAT.

This test consisted of two parts, a field application of the granular insecticides and a laboratory bioassay. Insecticides were applied to conventionally planted and tilled peanuts in a light loamy sand soil at the Wiregrass Substation of Auburn University at Headland, AL. Twelve treatments and a control were replicated four times in randomized complete block design. Each plot was six rows wide (36 in row spacing) and 50 ft long. Insecticides were applied, at flowering, on 30 Jun with a small-plot granular applicator in a 7 inch band over the row. A second application of Dyfonate 20G and PCB-coated Dyfonate was made 27 d after flowering on 27 Jul. The soil sample was taken from each plot once per wk by collecting 3 subsamples (12-in wide by 4-in long by 1-in deep) from within each plot. The soil sample was collected from underneath the peanut canopy by removing the plant. Soil samples were taken to the laboratory and refrigerated at 0°C until assayed the following week. Soil from each treatment was air dried to &lt;1.0% moisture and placed in 1-oz plastic diet cups at a depth of 0.5 in. First instar larvae placed in these cups were provided diet as a continuous food source. Pesticide efficacy was evaluated by exposing 36 larvae (4 replicates times 3 cups per replicate times 3 larvae per cup) to each soil sample or treatment. At the end of a 72h exposure, the number of live and dead insects were counted.

This field test was conducted in conventionally planted and tilled ‘Florunner’ peanuts at the Wiregrass Agricultural Experiment Substation of Auburn University at Headland, AL. Five treatments and a control were replicated 4 times in a RCBD. Each plot was 6 rows wide (36 inch row spacing) and 40 ft long. Replicates were separated by a 15 ft alley. Treatments were applied in water on 27 Aug using a boom sprayer equipped with one TX-3 nozzle per row operating at 40 psi and delivering 8.0 gal/acre. Insect populations were monitored with an 18 inch sweep net and taking 10 pendulum sweeps over the same row within each plot. Samples were taken 18 hrs before treatment and at 4 and 6 DAT.

Following our report on reproductive failure in gilts and sows caused by drinking over-chlorinated water at a pig-breeding farm, the present study investigated the impact of water over-chlorination on the different pig production categories on the farm. Pigs were given over-chlorinated water with a free chlorine residual concentration of 2.11 mg/l for seven days, from the onset of mechanical failure of the chlorinator dispenser connected to the water supplying system until its detection. Data analysis revealed that the adverse effect of overchlorinated drinking water manifested as an increase in the percentage of death losses in suckling, nursery and fattening pigs (all P < 0.01).