IN BRIEF
Replacement policy – time for review
WITH cull sow prices recovering to within £50/head of gilts, producers who have shied away from buying replacement gilts should review their decision if maximum unit output is to be achieved.
Cull sow prices have averaged £70/head at larger markets recently, narrowing the gap with replacement maiden gilts which are trading at about £120/head. Some breeders link gilt costs to finished prices and with a slow recovery in spot markets gilt costs could rise, increasing the need for action.
Signets Dan Morgan says that average sow age has crept up in many herds where culls have been kept for additional litters during the crisis. "This is taking a big gamble because older sows are less productive."
According to Signet figures, gilts rear two piglets a litter more than sows which have produced 10 litters or more – 8.7 piglets a litter for sows compared with 11 piglets a litter for gilts. "Each piglet is worth an extra £35 at a finished price of £1.20/kg liveweight accounting for feed and some other variable costs," says Mr Morgan.
"While these prices seem a long way off, progeny of sows served today will not finish until the year end."
To assess gilt numbers required, Mr Morgan suggests looking a couple of months ahead and checking farrowing groups for sows which should have been replaced. This will allow sufficient time to order and acclimatise gilts before service.
Where producers have no capital for replacements, it is possible to use home-bred gilts as a short-term measure. But this is only an option where meat line boars are not used extensively as these can affect maternal traits such as litter size, he says.
To help spread the cost of replacements, gilt suppliers are offering extended payment terms. Larger breeding companies are offering individual payment plans spread over several months, while smaller breeders are operating normal credit facilities of 14-28 days after delivery.
While this will reduce financial pressure on some, breeders warn that gilt costs will be pushed up as finished prices recover. PICs Steve Dunston says gilt prices are linked to the AAPP, likewise for Cotswold – who use the ACER – and Newsham.
As a result, many producers should now be buying gilts, adds Mr Morgan. "Where break-even costs have been calculated on maximum output, a reduction in older sow performance could see empty finisher places. This will increase fixed costs a pig which will delay recovery from a prolonged period of low prices," he warns.
Replacements
• Lower output from old sows.
• Cull sow price recovering.
• Aim to fill finisher houses.
Finished pig and cull
sow prices are slow to
recover, adding more
pressure to cash-
strapped producers.
Here we look hard at
how strategic
investment, managing
costs and creditors
could ensure the future.
Edited by Simon Wragg
Mixing weaners can be risky…
MIXING three-week old weaners into pens of equal-sized pigs increases susceptibility to respiratory disease, having a significant effect on post-weaning performance.
Stan Done, a consultant pathologist at the Weybridge Vet Lab Agency, told delegates at the Larkmead Vet Centre/Elanco pig health forum at Culham Science Centre, Oxford, last week that a piglets immune system doesnt mature and function effectively until six-weeks-old. "Weaners are the most vulnerable age group of pigs to be affected by respiratory disease; it only affects 5% of growers and 10% of finishers.
"But its common practice on units to mix piglets at three weeks old post weaning to get pens of equal sized pigs. This increases risk not only from primary infection, but also leaves piglets open to secondary infection," said Dr Done.
To limit infection risks, mixing of young pigs should be minimised. Reducing stocking density will also cut risk, as will increasing ventilation rate. Dr Done suggests a two-fold increase in stocking density requires a ten-fold increase in ventilation rate to remove the higher level of pathogens.
Limiting build up of ammonia and dust in pig houses is also important as this can damage the respiratory tract – a pigs first line of defence against disease.
To reduce risks, consider increasing ventilation using fans to direct air down on to bedding and out of buildings at floor level. This is a better way of removing pathogens in straw and slat-based systems compared with normal stack effect ventilation, he said.
Also ensure plentiful water; pigs deprived of water are most at risk of respiratory disease. Water is needed to keep mucus and nasal surfaces in the respiratory canal moist to trap infective particles entering the nostrils.
REPLACEMENTS
• Lower output from old sows.
• Cull sow price recovering.
• Aim to fill finisher houses.
Keep draughts at bay
CUTTING draughts in pig houses can reduce stress and aggression in growers and finishers while improving growth rates, according to European pig vet Kees Scheepens.
Speaking at a pig health forum at Culham Science Centre, Oxford, he warned producers that pigs cannot tolerate draughts. "Pigs dont acclimatise to draughts because they are unpredictable and a constant stress factor."
Typically, draughts increase coughing, sneezing and aggression – resulting in more ear lesions and flank biting – in almost all circumstances, said Dr Scheepens. Pig activity in draughty pens rises from one-third to two-thirds of the day.
Increasing pen size does not make up for draughts; it reduces contact between pigs, but not the level of aggression. However, as pigs react differently to stress, he advised identifying which pigs reacted aggressively and mixing these with passive pigs.
"While mixing aggressive and passive pigs may boost growth rates, aim to keep pigs in litter groups together through to finishing," he said.
IN BRIEF
• CHOOSING appropriate disinfectants for wheel dips and footbaths can increase defence against disease on units, particularly in cold weather. Pig breeder Cotswold says some disinfectants, particularly aldehydes, are inactive in typical outdoor winter temperatures. However, acidic phenols and organic acids still offer protection. Idophors should not be used in foot and wheel dips because they have little effect where organic matter is present.
• RECOMMENDATIONS on control of growth promoter use in pigs, including introducing a Code of Practice and better recording of on-farm use, has been suggested by the governments Veterinary Products Committee. The committee also recommends that prescribed use of growth promoters should be reviewed when new research is completed. This may lead to further restrictions.
Food for thought…dry sows at Plumpton College, Sussex, are being fed ad-lib grass silage in preference to wheat straw to ensure good intakes of concentrate through to farrowing. Adequate concentrate helps ensure sows have a good supply of milk during suckling. Daily intake of silage averages 5kg a sow. This apparently has a calming effect on sows queueing at the electronic feeder, says herd manager Dan Leggett.