Rotation, ractopamine and retrofitting in Pig Progress 4

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ESPHM: How feeding affects swine health

Pig health was highlighted during the digital European Symposium of Porcine Health Management in April, as detailed on pages 6-7. In addition to presentations on live vaccines and the use of drugs, the outcomes of a study into controlled fermentation were presented, as well as the combination of precision agriculture and big data analysis as the way ahead.

No reason to worry about new PCV2 genotypes

As reported on pages 8-9 by Oliver Duran of Boehringer Ingelheim, the Porcine Circovirus (PCV) has a high mutation rate and is continuously evolving, although the genetic changes do not seem to alter the structure of the capsid protein enough to evade protection from PCV2-a based vaccines.

There is clear evidence that a PCV2-a based vaccine provides effective protection against the most prevalent strains. – Photo: Boehringer Ingelheim

Retrofitting a sow barn – 8 ideas to consider

With rising pressure to enhance animal welfare, an increasing number of sow farms outside of Europe are switching to group housing for gestating sows. If a retrofit is under consideration, it may be useful to take a look at some strategies highlighted on pages 11-12 by Sylvain Blouin of Jyga Technologie, including sow inventory, flooring and feeding systems, all of which should be analysed.

A retrofitted barn in Arkansas, USA. – Photo: Jyga Technologies

Making any pig decision data-driven

Israeli tech company, FarmSee, was founded in 2018. Its camera-based weighing sensor offers pig producers valuable, real-time data on each individual pig. An article by correspondent Philippe Caldier deals with how it works on pages 14-15.

Hanging over the pigs’ heads are the FarmSee sensors: camera-based monitoring with individual pig recognition. – Photo: Philippe Caldier

7 ways to lower feed costs

This column by Dr Francesc Molist of Schothorst Feed Research on page 17 offers food for thought on feed, specifically when it relates to cost. Pork producers have a few options…

Organic pig farming with rapid field rotation

This edition’s cover story is on organic outdoor production which is taking off at a pig farm in northern Spain. Owner Eduard Cau Barrufet has opted for rapid field rotation. Pig Progress editor Vincent ter Beek reached out to him at a time when, for the first time, weaning is going to happen at the farm’s new organic pig site. Here, about 300 6-week-old weaners will be moved (at 4am) away from the huts in the field to mobile weaner houses. Read more on pages 18-21.

Each sow has an area of about 500m2 to explore, and piglets can roam around the huts and even visit neighbouring huts. – Photo: Cal Miqueló

New insights to control PRRS virus

The Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) has a big impact on the industry, but also of concern is the susceptibility of PRRSv-infected pigs to secondary bacterial or viral infections. The article on pages 22-23, authored by Olga Dansen of Framelco, looks at an immunomodulation strategy that could help control PRRS.

Glycerides of lauric acid appear to directly and/or indirectly assist in controlling the risk of secondary infections in PRRSv-positive pigs. – Photo: Bert Jansen

Sulphur and sulphate in diets: is it a concern?

Sulphur-containing compounds are essential for pigs, but an excess of sulphur sources in a pig’s diet could negatively affect not only gut health and effluent composition, but also soil, water and air. Read more in an article by Alessandra Monteiro, Arturo Piñon and Pascal Peu on pages 24-25.

Low sulphur feed ingredients can have an influence on the damage caused to intestinal mucosa while reducing the risks of human and pig toxicity in barns. – Photo: Odairson Antonello | Animine

3 key trace minerals for sow productivity

Modern-day hyperprolific sows in commercial conditions require accurate nutrition, and fortunately there has been much research done globally on this subject. The role of 3 trace minerals – zinc, copper and manganese – have been highlighted. The relevant details on these significant trace minerals can be read in a contribution of René Bonekamp of Novus on pages 26-27.

Supplementation of trace minerals continuously throughout the cycle contributes to meeting the sow’s daily nutritional needs. – Illustration: Fambros | Dreamstime

Probably the best-known feed additive in the world

Although the use of the feed additive, ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC), is banned in many countries, Dr Thompson of the Michigan State University notes that its use in pig production can safely and reliably improve average daily gain and feed efficiency by 10-12% and can offer a US$ 9 return on a US$ 3 investment in less than a month. The article by correspondent Treena Hein deals with this on pages 28-30.

Some expect that the US pork industry will keep pushing for the continued use of RAC as they believe it allows for cheaper lean pork production. – Photo: Craig Lassig, EPA | ANP

Column: The fight against viruses

On page 34, interdisciplinary researcher focusing on pig behaviour, welfare and production, Dr Irene Camerlink, cleverly encourages us to think about ‘humans’ and ‘governments’ instead of ‘pigs’ and ‘farmers’ in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. There are lessons to be learnt in both directions, she says.

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