Have you ever wondered how you can measure performance and welfare benefits from pig vaccination? With pig prices staying buoyant, farmers are being encouraged to maximise production through vaccination.
“There’s never been a better climate for farmers to make changes on farm to increase finishing weights and reduce FCR,” said Swine Specialist at MSD Animal Health, Aidan Byrne.
“Using vaccination against ileitis to improve feed efficiency, lower mortality and produce a better finished pig will provide better returns for businesses that have had a pretty rough time over the last few years.”
Ileitis is a common digestive disease in growing pigs that is caused by the Lawsonia bacteria. It causes inflammation of the ileum, the part of the small intestine responsible for nutrient absorption.
When the infected villi in the ileum become damaged and unable to absorb nutrients efficiently, the pig’s growth rates are affected.
Although ileitis is mostly associated with scour in weaned piglets, the long-term damage to gut integrity remains for the rest of the pig’s life, impacting feed conversion rates (FCR) and average daily weight gain (ADWG) until slaughter.
“The economic cost of ileitis to farmers is significant, especially in terms of feed costs. Feed accounts for 76% of the cost of pig production, and compromised gut health due to ileitis can lead to reduced growth rates, resulting in higher feed costs for farmers.
“Additionally, the reduced nutrient absorption caused by ileitis can lead to the wastage of expensive additives like lysine, further increasing the cost of feed,” explained Aidan.
Vaccination against ileitis with Porcilis Lawsonia has been shown to increase ADWG by an average of 57g compared to unvaccinated pigs, and the same field trial also showed a reduction in FCR from 2.47 to 2.21.
A recent study in the UK measured a range of production and welfare benefits in subclinically infected pigs vaccinated with Porcilis Lawsonia.
Key findings included a reduction in bacterial shedding between the vaccinated and control groups.
Finished pigs receiving the vaccine showed significant reduction in back fat and increased lean meat with an average increase of nearly 2kg in carcass weight.
Pig vaccination
Interestingly the same study also observed a significant reduction in tail biting.
“We’re seeing more farms starting to vaccinate against Lawsonia, especially with the removal of zinc oxide and reduction in medicated feed,” Aidan added.
“While every farm has its own challenges, it’s great to see a positive approach to preventing disease and improving results.”
The Porcilis Lawsonia vaccine can be given by intramuscular injection or intradermally using the IDAL vaccination device.
It can be given from three weeks of age and gives 21 weeks of immunity to protect growing pigs through the fattening stage.
Vaccination with Porcilis Lawsonia has been proven to reduce diarrhoea, reduce intestinal lesions and reduce loss of daily weight gain.
It is possible to administer Porcilis Lawsonia at the same time as other MSD Animal Health vaccines against porcine circovirus, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and PRRS to provide four-way protection against the most significant diseases affecting young pigs.
More information
Farmers should discuss their vaccination regime with their vet who can also advise on infection control and on-farm biosecurity.
Further information is available from your veterinary practitioner or MSD Animal Health, Red Oak North, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland.
MSD Animal Health can be contacted at: 01-2970220 or emailed at: [email protected]
Your vet will advise the most appropriate vaccination strategy for your farm.
