Swine Production Phases and Principals of Biosecurity

Lecture 26

Why did the pig industry switch from live cover to AI use?

PRRS virus

List the pig flow in a typical pork production system.

breeding stock arrives —> breeding and gestation —> bred animals to farrowing —> farrowing —> weaned animals —> nursery —> finishing —> market

What desired traits are selected in maternal lines?

litter size, fertility, milk production, usually white in color

What desired traits are selected in terminal lines?

fast growth, lean carcass, often colord

What pig breed is described:

• common maternal breed

• originated in England

• white, erect ears

• excels in litter size, milk production, fertility

Yorkshire

What pig breed is described:

• maternal breed

• originated in Denmark

• white, large drooping ears

• excels in litter size, milk production, fertility

Landrace

What pig breed is described:

• paternal sire

• originated in New York/New Jersey

• solid red color

• excels in leanness, growth, muscling

Duroc

What pig breed is described:

• paternal sire

• originated in Boone County, KY

• black with white belt

• excels in leanness, growth, and muscling

Hampshire

AI has created less need for boars, which has led to fewer boars in the industry. Fewer boars has created what when it comes to breeding?

increased selection pressure

What is the minimum motility for pig semen?

60%

How many sperm are in each dose for AI?

3-5 billion

What is the AI volume of semen plus extender?

80mL

Blood testing for what must be done before using semen for AI?

PRRS virus

When do gilts reach puberty?

7-8 months of age, 275-300 pounds of body weight

When should we breed gilts?

generally bred at second heat and when gilt is at >300 pounds

Sows are divided into breeding groups in the farrowing room based on what?

the week they are bred / expected farrow date

What is designed to reduce the chance of a sow laying on and crushing piglets?

farrowing stalls / crates

What is the biggest contributor to pre-wean mortality?

sow laying on and crushing piglets

What type of medication is generally used for treatment of disease?

water meds

What type of medication is generally used for prevention of disease?

feed meds

What are key parameters in pork production?

pigs/sow/year

mortality rates —> in utero, birth to weaning, wean to market

growth performance —> ADG, Feed/Gain, weight at marketing

What does a F/G ratio of 2.5 mean?

that for every pound of weight gained, the pig consumed 2.5 pounds of feed

What are the major advantages of multi-site production?

disease control and management

maximize efficiencies and focus on specific needs of pig —> environment, diet, management, medications

minimize lateral transmission of disease between age groups

What is the problem with farrow to finish swine farms in reference to disease?

since all animals are on one site, older animals will constantly reinfect younger pigs and replacement stock which makes disease eradication impossible

What is All in / All out production?

pigs move as a group from nursery, through growing and finishing to market

rooms/barns are washed, disinfected, and dried between groups

What is a benefit of built in separations paired with All in / All out production?

provides opportunities to break the cycle of disease transmission

Approximately how much drying time will detroy most remaining pathogens after disinfecting?

12 hours

Define internal biosecurity.

measures taken to prevent disease spread within a farm

Define external biosecurity.

measures taken to prevent disease introduction and “lkeep the bad stuff out”

How should a veterinarian structure biosecurity into their visit?

start with the “cleanest” farms early in the week (usually sow farms / boar studs)

start with youngest pigs first and work your way toward the oldest group

nurseries and early finishing mid-week

sick / dirty herds late in the week

weekend “downtime”