The study presented by Dr Thais Vila, Merial Animal Health Swine Technical Director, was conducted on two Spanish farms and involved a total of 1239 piglets. Of these, 619 were vaccinated with Circovac® at weaning, while a further 620 were injected with a placebo. Depending on the site piglets were weighed at 168 or 189 days.

The gain per carcass (GPC) for pigs vaccinated with Circovac® was £2.12 on the first farm and £3.60 on the second. A simulation study showed an average expectation of £3.50 and £3.26 GPC respectively. The gain due to homogenization of the bodyweights was estimated to a 24p-27p GPC and could reach £1.22. Under the conditions of the study, a clear economic gain of approximately £3.28 per pig could be expected following Circovac vaccination in piglets.

Findlay MacBean, Merial Animal Health’s Head of Large Animal Business, said: “We are building a body of evidence to support the proposition that Circovac® is an excellent choice for piglet vaccination. This research further boosts the credentials of Circovac® as a piglet vaccine by clearly demonstrating its ability to boost producers’ profitability.”