Biosecurity was Target of Meeting on Health

UK - It was another great turn-out in Cirencester, Stowmarket and Wetherby for the BPEX 2TS 'Focus on Health' conferences. Five speakers from the UK, US and Denmark discussed current research and knowledge associated with health and how the industry can shift towards a more collaborative approach to combat disease for the long-term.

23 November 2011

4 minute read

Europe

The three events were held in Cirencester, Stowmarket and Wetherby on 17 to 19 October 2011.

Richard Pearson (George Veterinary Group) discussed 'Managing Health and Disease Indoors and Out'. He said that good herd health adds value to the bottom line and must be protected. There are many practical steps to tighten biosecurity on both indoor and outdoor units, from using an all in all out system to the positioning of loading ramps – and always remembering that the majority of diseases move via a pig.
To see Mr Pearson's presentation, click here.

'Feeding a healthy versus a challenged pig' was the topic chosen by Paul Toplis of Primary Diets. He stressed that good pig health can earn an extra UK 31 per pig because it is so much more efficient at converting feed for growth than a disease-challenged one. Feed intake is key to growth so, even when there is a herd health problem, producers can make just as much difference as the vet and nutritionist by reducing all other stressors.
To see Mr Toplis's presentation, click here.

Pipestone Systems' Luke Minion spoke on porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome (PRRS) eradication, mapping and filtration. He explained that PRRS is a massive economical issue for producers in the mid-west of America. They continue to press vets for a solution – to save them the US$5 to $10 a pig that the disease currently costs them.

Real progress has been made in Pipestone county in the last couple of years due to collaboration between vets and producers to improve biosecurity in every way they could. Air filtration has proved to be a real breakthrough.
To see Mr Minion's presentation, click here.

Regional PRRS eradication was discussed by Anders Elvstroem of Odder Dyreklinik. In east Jutland in Denmark, he said, they reduced the number of PRRS-positive units from 80 per cent to just 20 per cent between 2000 and 2008. Sharing health information via a public swine register has been central to this, along with targeted vaccination of gilts and strict all-in all-out systems. One unit even moved weaned piglets through a window to avoid the risk of infection.
To see Mr Elvstroem's presentation, click here.

Finally, producer, Robin Brice, explained how his business deals with health challenges. Good stockmanship helps to spot clinical signs early, vaccinating at the optimum time for the pig is more important than just fitting into routine and good rodent control must come hand in hand with good cleaning and disinfection. A case study shows how Rattlerow went about a PPRS eradication programme over at total of 42 months, which Mr Brice believes was very worthwhile.
To see Mr Brice's presentation, click here.

One producer attendee at the events said: "Biosecurity is what I will take from today. We're in the process of a de-population and it's made us think even harder about making sure we do a good job for when we start afresh with the new ."

Another commented: "This is the second time we'e been. It's useful to come and hear about some of the challenges coming up."