Pigs producers who fail to quarantine new stock for at least three weeks are not only jeopardising the health status of herds but ar
e compromising their business productivity and profitability, warns a pig vet.
Bob Stevenson says isolating new pigs is a must, and more so now than ever as routine use of antibiotic is discouraged and diseases become harder to treat.
Mr Stevenson has been overseeing the introduction of Welsh Pigs to the new pig unit at Glynllifon College, a Farming Connect Innovation Site near Caernarfon.
These were isolated from the existing herd for three weeks and another three weeks was spent integrating those pigs with additional pigs sourced from Rattlerow.
During a Farming Connect open day at Glynllifon, Mr Stevenson said it took a number of simple measures to keep disease at bay, and these centred on good hygiene and biosecurity controls.
“When farmers get a disease outbreak after they have brought in pigs, they are often puzzled by the source. They must understand that there is no spontaneous generation of disease on a farm, disease arrives because it is brought in on hoof or on vehicle transport or often on footwear as a result of poor biosecurity.
“Pigs are carriers of viruses and bacteria and the stress of transport and a new environment may make them either reveal signs of disease or excrete the bacteria or viruses.
“If you are involved with high health pigs you need to take particular attention with isolation and integration. They may be especially vulnerable and are likely to get infected from pigs that are already be present on your unit.’’
Mr Stevenson recommends putting a physical barrier in place to prevent vehicles and people without the right biosecurity clothing from coming into contact with pigs. “The barrier tells people visiting the farm that you can go this far, but no further.’’
He said taking blood profiles from both incoming pigs and the existing herd provides valuable information. “Routine monitoring of this type can be at low cost and will provide confidence that you are unlikely to be introducing damaging infections. Six blood samples are taken and these will give you answers on how the health status of incoming pigs matches your own pigs. The value in this is huge.’’
Incoming pigs should be isolated in a building that does not share air space with other pigs; if this is not possible, a field can be used provided there is a three metre barrier from the existing herd.
“Don’t think it is done and dusted when you’ve isolated pigs!’’ warned Mr Stevenson. “There must be separate wellies and clothing for the isolation unit, or better still a separate person to tend to the incoming pigs. Muck from those pigs must remain in the isolation area.
When pigs are in isolation they should be observed twice daily. “Glean information from those pigs with twice daily observation,’’ said Mr Stevenson.
No vaccinations should be given during the isolation period.
After three weeks, the process of integration with other pigs can begin. “Get pigs used to each other’s bugs before full introduction,’’ said Mr Stevenson
Pigs should be vaccinated according to the herd health plan, with the correct storage, dosage and administration protocols. “Vaccinate, especially if pigs are to be exhibited at a show, against Enzootic pneumonia (EP), pig wasting disease (PMWS) and blue ear pig disease (PRRS). Additional vaccines may be recommended by your vet for those on-going, endemic conditions that exist on many pig farms,’’ advised Mr Stevenson. These might include E.coli scour, clostridial disease, Porcine parvovirus and erysipelas.
Mr Stevenson recommends obtaining feedback from abattoirs. “The slaughter house is an invaluable source of information about the condition of the pigs’ lungs, livers, joints and skin. Such information will assist in your pig health planning for better performance.’’
In the face of epidemic diseases, a pig unit is more likely to be safeguarded if good hygiene and biosecurity protocols for endemic diseases are already in place.
With major restraints on antibiotic use, the industry had to act now, cautioned Mr Stevenson. “We are moving from an era of antibiotics; the World Health organisation and Government are responding to the crucial need to preserve effectiveness of antibiotics in treating disease like sepsis in humans and bacterial disease in pigs, by calling on doctors, vets and farmers to use antibiotic as little as possible but as much as necessary”
But disease control alone is not the only influential factor in herd productivity.
Improving piglet mortality rates, increasing weaning weights and accelerating finishing are hugely important, according to David Moorhouse, ADAS national pig specialist.
He told farmers attending the Farming Connect event that sow body condition had to be good to ensure good piglet weights at birth.
And attention to water and feed intakes during lactation would boost piglet weights pre-weaning.
The water flow rate should be 0.5 litres a minute to encourage higher feed intakes. “Often flow rates can be less than this because of water quality issues or obstruction from mineral and grit build up,’’ said Mr Moorhouse.
Sows that get the right nutrition will produce more milk and their piglets will achieve stronger weaning weights. “There is potential to shave a week off slaughter dates,’’ Mr Moorhouse calculated.
Pigs at Glynllifion are fitted with EID tags to monitor performance and sire and dam combinations. This information is used when making management decisions.
“All of these things will help productivity and profit,’’ said Mr Moorhouse. “The pig market is currently in an optimistic situation, there is no better time to focus on efficiency.’’
The Welsh Government aims to double the Welsh Pig herd through a multi-pronged campaign utilising genetic and technological developments.
Project development officer Pat Stebbings said there would be targeted marketing of Welsh pork to offer Welsh farmers - young farmers in particular - opportunities to generate income from their farms.
The project, which begins in January, will offer support in business planning, husbandry, health, bio-security and marketing.
Funded by the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014 -2020, the project adopts a collaborative approach involving a range of supply chain partners with a view of developing local markets and products and increasing the expansion opportunities for existing producers and supporting the establishment of new producers.
For more information about this project please contact melanie.cargill@menterabusnes.co.uk / 01970 636565