Learn the best PRRS strategy for your herd.

Every year, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) infects an estimated 25% to 45% of sow herds in the US, according to Clayton Johnson, DVM, Carthage Veterinary Clinic, Carthage, Illinois. No other hog disease today exerts a larger economic toll on hog farms than PRRS. On farms that break with PRRS, producers should decide if they are going to control the virus and keep antibiotics available for secondary bacterial infections, or if they are going to eliminate it. “Elimination is very difficult,” he said. “And inappropriate attempts to do elimination may actually hinder PRRS management by creating naïve animals that won’t stay naïve. They will propagate the disease at a greater level than an immune animal.” A herd’s “break rate” for PRRS can help determine if a herd is a candidate for elimination. The break rate should be less than once every 3 years to consider elimination, Johnson said. If it is very regular, the herd probably needs additional biosecurity work or technology to minimize outbreaks.

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome control in Asia.

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome control in Asia. Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) continues to be one of the most economically devastating viral diseases affecting pig farms in major swine producing countries in Asia. Recent data from Japan showed a reduction of 53.7g per day on ADG and an increase of 2.2% in post-weaning mortalities in PRRS positive farms as compared to the production performance of PRRS negative farms. However, although many farms are infected, the clinical impact of PRRS infection varies. Different factors lead to such variability in the clinical presentation including the strain infecting the herd, the type of production (single site farrow-to-finish vs multi-site systems), the season (weather), the presence of co-infections prior to PRRS introduction, the pig density in the immediate locality of the farm and the way the farm manages their replacement breeders. Effective control programs focus on addressing the predisposing factors through management changes and on ensuring herd immunity is well established. Different approaches have been done to stabilise herd immunity to PRRS including exposing the sow herd to infected animals or live virus and doing whole herd vaccination. However, although vaccination is increasingly used in Asia to reduce the impact of PRRS, the results have been variable. Many factors may have contributed to the differences in efficacy of vaccines, but the major difference is PRRS vaccine strain used in the final formulation and its ability to provide effective cross protection against the predominant field PRRS strains.

Exposure to pig farms and manure fertilizers associated with MRSA infections.

Exposure to pig farms and manure fertilizers associated with MRSA infections.Researchers have found an association between living in proximity to high-density livestock production and community-acquired infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as MRSA. Researchers from Geisinger's Henry Hood Center for Health Research and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found an association between living in proximity to high-density livestock production and community-acquired infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Their analysis concluded that approximately 11 percent of community-acquired MRSA and soft tissue infections in the study population could be attributed to crop fields fertilized with swine manure. The study examine the association between high-density livestock operations and manure-applied crop fields and MRSA infections in the community.

RESEARCH : How to make pigs grow bigger and faster with vitamin c.

RESEARCH : How to make pigs grow bigger and faster with vitamin c.How to make pigs grow bigger and faster with vitamin c.According to a team of experts from UP at Los Baños, adding ascorbic acid or Vitamin C to the diet of pigs — 800 gms. for every kilo of feeds, will make them grow faster compared to those treated with normal diets. RESEARCH : How to make pigs grow bigger and faster with vitamin c. It was further noted that Vitamin-C treated pigs when slaughtered had a higher dressing percentage, leaner backfat and more lean cut yields.

One- on -one care for pigs ensures better pig health status on farm .

Taking time to walk the pens, make eye contact with each pig and pull the sick ones for individual care seems to conflict with the basic tenets and efficiencies of population medicine.One-on-one pig care means to make sure to look at every pig every day — and that we evaluate them essentially from tail to snout — to try to identify any potential problems that pig may have as quickly as possible. The approach involves three basic steps: Identifying the at-risk pig, being specific about its symptoms and effectively communicating the situation to others in the operation. Practically speaking, the process begins with spotting the outlier — the pig that simply strikes you as somehow unusual. Farmers shoulld walk through the barn to develop a pattern as they go through each pen, to make sure they get an opportunity to look at every pig. Basically, looking for any of the clinical signs that the pig isn’t normal such as For example: 1)Is he coughing?. 2)Does he have diarrhea? 3)Is he gaunt and not eating? 4)Is there nasal discharge?. 5)Does he appear stiff or lame when he moves? The next step will be to institute individual treatment protocols with an injectable antibiotic — typically already in place and specific for each farm and for each flow and system — can be called into use right away and used under veterinary supervision. Early intervention is really the key as we look at individual pig care,because we know that if we treat a pig later in the course of the disease, we have poorer response to treatment so if we can treat the pig earlier, we can have a better response. Research has shown that on farms with low health status, training caretakers to identify and treat sick pigs at an early stage of disease can improve growth and productivity during the all-important nursery and growing periods.

Urine sampling can reliably detect procaine penicillin G (PPG) residues in sows.

Urine sampling can reliably detect penicillin residues in sows.Urine sampling is an effective way to detect procaine penicillin G (PPG) residues prior to processing and may help producers avoid processing-plant violations. There has been an increasing incidence of PPG-residue detection in cull sows reported, due in part to changes in the PPG-testing method made by USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service in 2011. Residues of PPG in sows are not uncommon at processing, although plasma concentrations of PPG correlate well with tissue residue, collecting and evaluating plasma is complicated. Urine is easier to collect and handle. PPG residues are most often found in sows if extra-label doses of PPG have been administered or if treatment was continued for more than 3 consecutive days. A study carried out by Karriker, DVM, a professor at Iowa State University shown below: Karriker designed a study involving 47 sows, with three treatment groups: Group 1 received the labeled dose of 3,000 IU/lb (3 mL/lb). Group 2 received an average volume of sterile solution once a day for 3 days. Group 3 received an extra-label dose of 15,000 IU/lb (15 mL/lb) once a day for 3 consecutive days. Karriker found PPG residues persist longest in injection-site tissues — for at least 28 days after PPG administration. It stays in the skeletal muscles for 14 days. PPG depletes faster from the kidneys, and residues can be found for up to 6 days after administration to the sow. Sampling the sow’s environment was not reliable for determining residues. While PPG residues were easily found in the environment, they did not correlate with tissue residues, Karriker says. The current withdrawal time for PPG is 7 days. Although a 15-day withdrawal time has been proposed by the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank, it may not be sufficient to avoid processing-plant violations, Karriker says.

Urine-sampling options make it easier to evaluate gilt and sow health.

This is how urine-sampling options make it easier to evaluate gilt and sow health. Urine samples are an effective but underutilized diagnostic tool for evaluating the nutritional, physiological and health status of gilts and sows. The challenge is how to collect quality urine samples efficiently and reliably on the farm. The free-catch option, where a person collects a free-flow urine sample from the animal, is challenging and time consuming. These are other methods of urine collection proposed for speed and accuracy and the catch there is the means of collection did not alter values of calcium, phosphorus and creatinine. 1) The tampon technique : a super-sized, unscented tampon with a plastic applicator and umbrella absorbency was used. Once inserted into the gilt’s or sow’s vestibule, the exterior string was secured to the outside of the animal with waterproof tape. Following urination, the tampon was transferred to a urine cup. 2) The Whirl Pak® technique: a 24-ounce bag positioned around the vulva was used and secured with elastic tape. Following urination, the bag was removed and the sample was transferred to a urine cup. The urine samples were analysed including the samples from the free catch and it was observed that there was no significant difference between the results for the calcium, phosphorus and creatinine ratios between the three sampling methods. The samples were also analysed for blood, bilirubin, urobilinogen, ketones, protein, nitrite, glucose, leukocytes and ascorbic acid, as well as pH, specific gravity and sediment and there was no significant difference.

Three-step approach for spotting sick sows .

A three-step approach for spotting sick sows. A three-pronged approach to observing sows can help identify illness, lower mortality and increase productivity. When more attention is given to pigs,taking a closer look during farrowing, gestation and lameness can reveal potential problems before they become serious.When staff are trained to look and respond to signs of sickness quickly, producers can improve animal well-being and their bottom line in one move. Farrowing watchfulness. Farm staff should regularly check to see how the gilt or sow adjusts to being in a farrowing crate and whether she is eating and drinking, cleaning the feeder, or is in distress. Most operations have someone in the room during the farrowing process, checking the sow regularly. If too much time passes between pigs being born (more than 20 or 30 minutes), someone should manually check the sow. Post-farrowing care. Make sure all the afterbirth has passed and that the sow is well and eating normally — especially during lactation,also check that sows are comfortable and monitor their body condition, especially at warmer times of the year. At some farms rectal temperature is checked routinely at 24 hours post-farrowing to make sure there is no residual complications and that she’s properly cleaned. Uterine infections will show up on temperatures of 103 degrees or more. If a sow has a high temperature, it will be put off from eating and drinking, which will affect milk production. Eliminate lameness. More than 50% of sow deaths are caused by lameness, but early intervention and aggressive treatment could reduce that figure significantly. In a 2,500-sow operation if you’re not treating 8 to 10 sows on a daily basis, you’re probably not treating enough. Lameness can be caused by housing, diseases, injury, nutrition, environmental issues or genetics. Check for sows that have difficulty standing or rising, and if animals shift their weight or tap their feet, look for swelling, cuts or bleeding. If an animal avoids the group or is walking slowly thats an indicator to check them out more closely.

Feeding pigs with proteins from the sea.

Feeding pigs with proteins from the sea.In the search for alternative protein sources, it may be a very good idea to look towards the sea for inspiration. These are the benefits of ingredients like blue mussels, starfish and seaweed. Everybody agrees that it is likely that someday, there will be a shortage of protein to feed livestock in order to fulfil the expected big increase in the demand for meat for human consumption. This issue create a need to search for new sustainable protein sources, which can lead to local or at least European self-sufficiency. As from the beginning of 2018, the organic pig and poultry producers will face a challenge of having sufficient amounts of organic protein. In this context, blue protein, such as blue mussels, starfish, and seaweed may fit well as future feedstuffs, because they solve important challenges for the industry and society. Blue mussels can be grown on lines where the naturally occurring mussel larvae colonise ropes or plastic tubes or nets as of late spring. They filter the seawater for algae and can be harvested year round and already from the first coming winter, preferably before the risk of ice coverage. When mussels are harvested, they need to be processed to allow storage.

Feeding dairy cows roughage.

Feeding dairy cows roughage.Before putting together a feeding schedule, confirm the properties of the available feed.Ignorance about feed often results in animals being fed too much or too little, with economic losses. Feed for dairy cows is divided into roughage and concentrate Grazing is normally the cheapest source of roughage for dairy cows. Factors limiting production are mainly energy content and moisture content of crops. The protein content of rye grass clover is usually high. Kikuyu has a low calcium level. Other pastures have high levels of potassium that could increase the incidence of milk fever. The cheapest method of storing roughage. Maize is mainly used, although good quality silage can also be made from most grass types and legumes. The crude protein level in silage is often higher than that of hay. It is excellent for young animals older than nine months. There is no limit to its inclusion in dairy cow rations. Mouldy silage often contains fungi with dangerous toxins and should not be fed to animals.

Advantages of raising pigs.

The advantages of raising pigs. Pigs have fast growth rates and good feed-to-meat conversion ratios; are relatively easy to raise, and do not require much space; have prolific breeding potential; and are docile. These factors not only lead to increased profitability but will surely assist in meeting the growing demand for meat in future. Pork consumption is likely to increase even more due to lower production costs. About 36% of meat eaten by humans annually is pork, followed by poultry (35%), and cattle and buffalo (22%). Lamb and mutton, come in at a distant 4,6%. Many factors affect these trends such as religious beliefs, environmental conditions, pricing and the growth of the human population. Livestock producers continually strive to breed the ‘ultimate animal’ – one that grows faster and converts food to meat better, carries more meat in valuable areas of the carcass, and has a better temperament for ease of handling. It is possible to choose a specific breed or certain outcrosses to satisfy a particular market. For example, very fat pigs may not be useful for the production of belly or ‘streaky’ bacon, as the bacon will have more fat than meat. Pigs usually breed twice a year, and produce about 12 piglets in a litter. These weigh about 1,1kg at birth and, unlike any other livestock, may double their weight in the first week of life if they obtain sufficient milk from the sow. Piglets can be weaned at two to four weeks and can be slaughtered as ‘weaners’ at two to three months old. Other categories include ‘porkers’ (slaughtered at four months), ‘baconers’ (at eight months) and ‘sausage pigs’, elderly animals that are culled.

Basic infrastructure for small-scale pig farming.

The basic infrastructure for small-scale pig farming.The size of your pig housing infrastructure will depend on the number of pigs you have. Ideally, it should be strong, simple and adaptable, and it need not be expensive. The basics needed for a small pig farming operation: design, infrastructure, construction cost, and running costs, including feed, early in the operation. The basic infrastructure depends on how many pigs you want to keep. The design should ideally allow for adding further pens as your operation grows. Previously, I suggested starting off by buying weaners (young pigs already on solid food, usually older than 28 days) and growing them out. In this way, you’ll soon learn about pig behaviour, management techniques and daily feed requirements. Your cash turnover cycle will also be quicker, as you will not need to feed a sow for four months while it is pregnant, manage the birth process, and then feed the piglets until selling them. It is crucial to consider the economics. Is it worth your while to feed the sow for so many months, or should you let another farmer do this for you, leaving you only the task of growing the weaners out to ‘porker’ or ‘baconer’ size?

How to make sausages with a caulking gun.

How to make sausages with a caulking gun. Starting a business requires some money,but lean startups look for smart ways to get the product. Learn how to make sausages with a caulking gun.

How to start pork sausage business.

How to start pork sausage business.

 Agriculture is the next goldmine and as such a lot of people are venturing into various aspects to make money.

    Pig farming is a lucrative business with various aspects of production from farm to table. Thinking of investing in pork business and dont have enough capital to start a farm? then this is for you.

   Pork sausages is just an aspect of the value chain that you can dabble into,just link up with pig farmers that are selling their pigs,buy and process.

   The business can leverage on the high demand for pork and also a create a new market of locally produced pork sausages. This is how to make pork sausages;

How to make money with pig farming.

Pigs are mono gastric animals usually bred for commercial purposes. The raising of pigs is for reproduction, fattening and sale. Pigs properly managed and housed in a clean environment reproduce at a fast rate and bring about good return on investment.

                                     .How to make money with pig farming. 

 There are various breeds of pigs available such as land race,large white,Duroc and Hampshire. The indigenous breeds available have been crossed over time with exotic breeds such that some of their traits are passed down. The cross with indigenous breeds ensures that the pigs are hardy and are stable in this environment.

N-Power releases call centre lines as applicants check pre-selection status.

N-Power releases call centre lines as applicants check pre-selection status.N-Power, the Nigerian Government empowerment scheme, has released its call centre lines.This is as applicants begin to check their pre-selection status. Categories Nigerians applied for include N-Teach, N-Agro, N-Health and N-Tax. Meanwhile, the presidency has stated that a total of 176,160 graduate beneficiaries has so far been deployed under N-Power. N-Power releases call centre lines as applicants check pre-selection status.

Why is the skin of your pig yellow.?

Why is the skin of your pig yellow.? Jaundice, or icterus is yellow coloration of white connective tissue in the body, skin or eye sclera, the latter being the only sign in pigs. The yellowing/jaundice results when there is an increase of biliary salts in the blood and it takes one of three forms. Pre-hepatic jaundice, or hemolytic icterus, occurs due to massive blood destruction that overwhelms the detoxifying capacity of the liver. Hepatocellular icterus comes from direct liver injury, and post-hepatic icterus is caused by obstruction of biliary drainage. Several infections can affect directly the blood or the liver causing yellowing these are: Leptospira (mainly fetuses), mycoplasma, E. coli and Salmonella. In all cases other signs can help to address infective causes. Ascaris suum can also cause icterus through direct parasitosis of the liver with later migration to the lungs. At the abattoir white spots are evident in the liver.

How to maintain hooves and limb health in pigs.

How to maintain hooves and limb health in pigs. 

1) Maintain and control floor quality in pens. Remove sharp edges (or file sharp edges when necessary).Ensure the correct slat width in slatted floors Keep the floors non-slippery by providing dry and clean resting areas.

 2) Minimize social and hierarchy clashes.Introduce husbandry solutions that will prevent hierarchy clashes.Provide sufficient pen space and free space per number of animals.

How to feed your pigs for less.

Feed accounts for 65-85% of the cost of commercial pig production. The more a farmer knows about their pigs' feed need, the better he can meet this need efficiently. . The use of none conventional and cheap pig feed ingredients that are available in Africa e.g.Banana, Plantain, Pawpaw, sweet potatoes, coco-yam makes a difference in the profit margin.

Pigs Against Malaria.

                                Pigs Against Malaria.

Mosquito vector-borne diseases are serious global health threats. Malaria alone claims the lives of about 600,000 people annually. With such high death tolls, controlling vectors and the pathogens that they carry is of critical importance.

 Ivermectin is a broad spectrum antiparasitic medication that can be used both internally and topically for the treatment of myriad parasites, including filarial worms, gastrointestinal parasites, and scabies. And, as it turns out, ivermectin can even kill mosquitoes.

 Scientists have shown that having humans in an entire village take ivermectin can disrupt transmission of malaria and other vector-borne diseases.