New Book 2003 - Review

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Pig Production Problems - John Gadd's Guide to their Solutions
by Dr. John N. Gadd
Hardback 591 pages, 31 chapters ISBN 1-897676-34-4
List price: US$109.99   UK£60.00 currency converter
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Contents     Review

 

 

 

Review:
Right from the earliest experiences with pigs in practice, one recognised there was more to the problems than just treating them. Many of the problems were production related and hence a fuller understanding of the production methods was essential to get a successful response. 'Putting the fire out' was one aspect, but preventing it was the most important and the most fascinating challenge in pig medicine. This book covers many of those aspects, about which veterinarians are not necessarily taught and have to learn from practical experience.

The book is divided into three sections. The first deals with reproductive performance problems (8 chapters) such as litter size, birthweights, a large section on cutting down on post-weaning checks to improve overall performance, empty days, culling strategy, prolapses, choosing a gilt and seasonal infertility. Each chapter has at least one checklist to help determine the cause of the problem and also gives economic examples and solutions to the problem. Section two 'Business and Management' (8 chapters) really was fascinating to read with, again, many examples and basic checklists. It introduces new terminology and ways of calculating profit-related returns (econometrics) when changes are made such as 'Return to Extra Outlay Rate,' e.g. saleable meat/tonne of feed, rather than the simple performance parameters of average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency. It also covers common recording problems, risk management, diversification, franchising, people management (including the manager himself), partnerships (essential for practitioners) and dealing with a cash crisis. I have often shied away from putting financial figures to problems, for as soon as one does, the prices of feed or pigs change, making them redundant. However, the book's examples do demonstrate the benefit of their use for good decision-making.

The third section deals with the growing and finishing side and examines growth rate, feed conversion efficiency, hot weather (including tropical conditions), mixing, tail biting, lameness, mycotoxins, immunity, biosecurity, liquid and fermented liquid feeding and ventilation - a comprehensive list. It is followed by an extensive glossary of technical terms.

Overall, it is a very readable and practical book, which reflects the author's 50 years' experience in agriculture and pig production. The checklists are very useful reminders for anybody investigating a problem, whether producer, nutritionist or veterinarian. It does not try to cover the veterinary aspects, but fills those gaps relating to production, which are often in the background and lead to the emergence of disease problems.

Publisher: Nottingham University Press, Manor Farm, Thrumpton, Nottingham, NG11 0AX, United Kingdom

Review by D.G.S. Burch

 

Contents:

New terminology for the future Common problems with records Dealing with a cash crisis Risk management Mostly about people:   you, your stockpersons,   people you deal with commercially Another string to your bow? Partnerships Franchising Choosing a gilt Culling strategy Empty days Seasonal infertility Litter size Birth weights Biosecurity Ventilation Stocking density Wrong mucking / pen fouling Problems with hot weather Stress and stressors Immunity Mycotoxins Legs and lameness Growth rate Food conversion Pig mixing Tail biting Prolapse: rectal, vaginal, cervical The post weaning check to growth Glossary Index

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