SWINE

Swine Herd Health

By LeRoy G. Biehl.

Since swine management systems may range from a small pasture herd to a large commercial, complete confinement operation, no single preventive medicine program will work for all farms.

Preventive medicine or swine herd health is an important part of overall swine management. A low level of disease in the swine herd may limit top performance and result in lower profits. A severe disease outbreak can cause heavy death loss and serious economic losses.

The well-managed, predetermined swine herd health program can minimize either type of disease problem by preventing exposure to disease organisms and by increasing a herd's immunity against known diseases. A sound herd health preventive program includes excellent sanitation, isolation of herd replacements, good nutrition and housing, genetic resistance and vigorous parasite control.

Since swine management systems may range from a small pasture herd to the large commercial, complete confinement operation, no single preventive medicine program will work for all farms.

Some swine farms close their herds to new additions of breeding stock, and rigidly control traffic of outside personnel. They rely on strict isolation and sanitation to prevent introduction of disease agents.

Open herds that bring in new breeding stock and allow human traffic on the farm will need a more complete immunization schedule as part of their preventive medicine program. If the herd is likely or known to be exposed to diseases, these disease agents will be included in the immunization program.

The swine farm's immunization program will be accomplished either by injecting a vaccine or by exposing the pig to disease agents during a period in the production cycle when no harm will be done. Most swine producers use a combination of vaccination and planned exposure.

When determining which type program is best for the individual farm, consult the local swine veterinarian. All the vaccinations are neither practical nor feasible for all farms, but the local vet is familiar with what diseases are in the area and which ones are most likely to strike the herd. The veterinarian and the herd owner can also discuss what type of vaccines are available, along with when and where to administer them.

Breeding Stock

A healthy swine herd begins with selection of healthy breeding stock. When new breeding stock is brought onto the farm, numerous diseases can be introduced into the herd by carrier animals which show no signs of disease. Some of these diseases include: External and internal parasites, leptospirosis, brucellosis, rhinitis, pneumonia, arthritis and scours. Virus diseases spread by herd additions are parvovirus, pseudo-rabies, TGE and influenza.

Negative blood tests for brucellosis, pseudorabies and leptospirosis should be required when purchasing a boar or gilts.