Hello and welcome to the latest Pig Issue in which we cover a number of diverse topics from recent research on boar effect in relation to PMWS to the results of the competitions we held at our recent Farmer and Families day. The industry is certainly as buoyant and optimistic as we have seen it in recent times with a period of price stability certainly helping. Tie this in with a general will to reinvest in infrastructure and improve health across the industry, as mentioned in this issue, and we can hopefully look to continuing improvements through all sectors of the pork industry.

One word of caution comes from a recent conversation with a processor who warned that the supply of pigs is on the rise and that could lead to price suppression, lets hope they don't use this as rock to hide behind but continue to pay for the quality put before them. The industry bodies continue to lobby and promote themselves at all levels let us hope that continues for the good of us all.

Please continue to send in anything you would like included in the Pig Issue all contributions are welcome.

PMWS Associated Mortality Depending on the Breed of Boar Used

Recently there has been interesting work published from researchers in Spain showing that the boar breed can affect the level of mortality associated with circa virus (PMWS/PDNS disease). Sows were mated with three separate boar lines on two separate breeding farms. A total of 1063 pigs were accommodated in separate flat deck accommodation according to breed. In the attached table you see there is a significant difference in mortality varying with the breed of boar used. This is an area for discussion in relation to PMWS/PDNS associated mortality in farms the possibilities of a breed influence on the levels of PMWS/PDNS. Also another research paper from Korea from Kim Jung and C Chae published in the Veterinary Record showed approximately 13% of aborted foetuses in Korea showed evidence of circa virus infection. This indicates that we need to have an open mind in relation to circa virus causing reproductive effects particularly when a herd breaks down with PDNS/PMWS disease.

PMWS and Boar Breed
Farm		Farm 1	Farm 2
PMWS		5%	7.9%
DUE TO DISEASE		65.4	67.4
BOAR (A) 100 % Pietrain	No's Served % PMWS Deaths	20 1.5%	23 2.1%
BOAR (B) 50% Large White / 50% Pietrain	No's Served % PMWS Deaths	24 4.7%	29 5.9%
BOAR (C) 25% Large White / 75% Duroc	No's Served % PMWS Deaths	19 9.8%	15 26.3%
Total piglets born = 1063   -   Both are identical 5000 sow farms separated by 300m

BOAR EFFECTS ON PMWS/PDNS MORTALITY 3 - 21 WEEKS
No. of Different Boars Used	Breed	Total Mortality % Farm 1	Total Mortality % Farm 2
16	PIETRAIN	1.5%	2.1%
8	50% LARGE WHITE 50% PIETRAIN	4.7%	5.9%
4	25% LARGE WHITE 75% DUROC	9.8%	26.3%
1063 pigs in total trial   -    66% of all mortality was due to PMWS/PDNS

NUTRITION - Zooming in on zinc sources

Table 1. Effect of zinc oxide supplementation on post-weaning growth
	Zinc oxide supplementation (g/t)
	0	1,500		3,000		4,500
Duration	n/a	14d	21d	14d	21d	14d	21d
Liveweight:
Day 0 (kg)1	7.86	7.78	7.77	8.25	7.82	7.8	8.54
Day 21 (kg)2	13.93a	14.95ab	15.98b	15.25ab	17.02b	15.33a	14.75a
Daily Liveweight
Gain (g/day)3	289.1a	341.3ab	391.2b	333.3ab	438.1b	358.7ab	295.7a
Source: Mullan et al, 2002 Different superscripts within each row denote significant differences 1 p=0.382; 2 p=0.002; 3 p<0.001

Table 2. Effect of zinc supplementation source on post-weaning growth
	Zinc supplementation source
	Control	Zinc oxide	Organic zinc proteinate²
Supplementation rate
1st stage: 0d-14d (g/t)	0	3,000	100	250
2nd stage: 15d-39d (g/t)	0	2,000	100	250
Liveweight
Day 0 (kg)	6.41a	6.47a	6.85b	6.57a
Day 39 (kg)	20.87a	21.75b	22.37b	22.23c
Daily Liveweight
Gain (g/day)	367a	389b	405b	427c
Feed conversion ratio (g/g)¹	1.58	1.38	1.36	1.37
Source Mullan et al 2002 Different superscripts within each row denote significant differences (p<0.001) 1 not significant (p=0.057)   2 supplied in the form of Bioplex, Alltech Inc USA

British Pig Health Scheme - Abattoir Monitoring

As I am sure all producers must now be aware, due to extensive coverage in Pig World, NPA website, BPEX mailings etc, the main abattoir monitoring scheme will commence in 19 assured UK abattoirs during the first week of July. On the back of a successful pilot scheme, which has given the opportunity to iron out most of the complications associated with moving large chunks of data around electronically.

So to the main scheme, as a practice Garth Partnership have joined a group of other UK practitioners to form Vetscore. Vetscore were fortunate to successfully bid for the assessment tender covering the UK abattoirs. The tender, for a three year period, was won on the quality and experience this group could bring to the process ensuring that the information provided to producers was of the highest quality from day one. This will enable the industry to quickly form a picture of current health status both at individual and national level a definite benefit to all sectors of the pork chain. We urge all producers to register and be involved for what is a minimal cost of £100 for the three year period.

Our veterinary team will be involved with the assessment of pigs through Grampian Malton and also providing cover at Cranswick Country Foods. In addition Ian Carroll is heavily involved with the coordination of the Vetscore group as a whole and can answer any questions you may have as to the validity and value of the scheme, when and where pigs are being monitored etc. Please get in contact with him on 07711 824659 if you need further information and please support this scheme.

Farmers and Families Dayg

We recently entertained 75 customers and members of their families at Driffield Rugby Club consisting of lunch, drinks and general socialising. There was also the option of watching one of our partners, Ian, going through ritual humiliation on the rugby pitch.

Also as part of the day we ran a number of light hearted competitions which had some good prizes attached (and kindly supplied by Intervet and Pfizer)

The results of the competition are as follows:

Spot the Pig Guess the Breeds First Try Scorer

Mr D Dodgson Pitwherry wins £200 of product for his business. 1st Mr Stephenson Lockington Grange wins a Musto jacket 2nd The Pitwherry team win rugby shirts 3rd Warkups win 2 bottles of wine Amy Warkup wins a £20 voucher

Prizes for the Predict the Score and Score Spread went begging as your are such a loyal bunch and everyone went for a Driffield win!!

Our thanks to all who attended and we look forward to holding something similar next year.

Illegal Medicine Supplies

Below are 3 recent examples of individuals prosecuted for obtaining veterinary prescription only medicines originating from non-UK sources. These products do not hold a marketing authorisation for use in the UK.

The following were fined:-

Mr E Tower, Lancaster Mr G Hadand, Saltburn Mr A Cole, Hundleton

£1,000 £3,500 £2,500

It is also worth remembering that with unlicenced medicines in the event of product failure the pharmaceutical companies will not support any investigation or compensation. And you have potentially illegal, incomplete medicine record book as those products cannot be legally entered.

If you need any guidance on legal/illegal routes of supply please contact us at the practice.

Clients in the news

A Yorkshire farmer, who has established his own wind energy solution for his farm, believes the technology will play an increasingly important part in helping electricity companies meet their obligation to source 10% of their energy from renewable sources by 2010.

Mr Milner decided to install a turbine in 1992 to serve his 230-sow pig unit on their 202 hectare (500 acre) arable farm.

The idea was driven by escalating electricity bills in the early 1990s. "I knew I had to do something when my bills topped "20,000 a year," he says. The turbine was erected in a matter of hours. The total cost to the Milners was £80,000. But the payback was immediate, the blades were turning and generating electricity within eight hours.

"It's difficult to quantify the return to our business because the power output is so cyclical. But I would suggest that we have cut our electricity bills by around 40% per year since then," he says.

Mr Milners advice for any farmer considering following his lead and developing a wind turbine - or going the whole hog and going into a partnership with a power company for a wind farm - is simple: "make sure you live in an area where the council views wind power favourably! And bear in mind the upward trend in interest rates".

New Product - Aivlosin by Schering Plough

UK pig producers seeking to manage Enzootic Pneumonia (EP) in their finishing herds now have access to a powerful new in-feed antibiotic option from Schering-Plough Animal Health.

Derived from further fermentation of Tylosin and available as a premix for medicating pig feed, Aivlosin demonstrates a three-fold increase in bio-availability. The specific activity against M . hyopneumoniae has been enhanced several times over its parent molecule. In field trials in the UK and Ireland Aivlosin has proved highly successful in the treatment and prevention of EP.

Aivlosin is categorised as MFS and can only be included in pig feed subject to a Medicated Feedstuffs (MFS) Prescription written by the herd vet. Producers should discuss any intended medication programmes with their vet and feed company.

New Product - Colivet by Ceva

CEVA Animal Health have recently licenced Colivet solution an antimicrobial for use in pigs. This product consists of Colistin Sulphate on a water soluble base.

It is particularly useful in the treatment of gram-negative infections, especially those due to E. Coli and all species of Salmonella.

The product has a short withdrawal period of 1 day.

If you require any more information on the suitability of the product for use on your unit speak to your vet direct, for information on pricing or the use of the product contact the practice.

New Product - Porcilis Glässer by Intervet

Porcilis Glässer is a vaccine used for active immunisation of pigs to reduce typical lesions of Glässer's disease caused by Haemophilus parasuis serotype 5.

The vaccine is of benefit when animals with no or low levels of antibodies against H. parasuis serotype 5 are mixed with pigs from or in an environment with a high prevalence of Glässer's disease.

Legal Category: POM

Please speak to your unit veterinary surgeon for more information on this product.

Stockman Relief Service

Need some help when someone is ill, at holiday time, or just when you are busy?

• Fully experienced stock manager worked with all classes
• LGV licence and fork lift certificate
• Specialist in pigs
• Computer recording etc
• Other agriculture jobs undertaken
• Independent references
• Reasonable fees

Contact:
Clive Sledger, Namen's Leases Farm, Aldbrough St. John, Richmond, N.Yorks, DL11 7AQ
Tel: 01325 374350 Mob: 07779671214

Future Newsletters

If you have nay items or news that you would like included in future 'Pig Issues' please forward them to Christine at the practice - all contributions welcome.