Northwest Pig Group - licences, added value, handling and vaccination

Following the successful meeting held in February, this second meeting organised by Myerscough College and the British Pig Association through the Livestock Programme was again very popular with 30 pig producers from across the region attending.

 

There were three speakers for the day Marcus Bates, BPA chief executive discussing the implications of the new e-movement licences, Peter Gott from Sillfield Farm on curing and Chris Mason a local vet on the different aspects of vaccination.

 

 

Electronic Licences

 

Marcus started the morning session going through the different aspects of the new electronic pig movement licences that have been available since October this year, but become a legal requirement from April 2012, when it will not be possible to use paper ones. However anyone without a computer will be able to input their movement information by telephone through the BPA.

 

The system has been developed in partnership with BPA, BPEX and Animal Health, to provide full facilities to electronically report the movement of all registered pigs and issue pedigree documentation. For further information and guidance please use the following link; http://www.britishpigs.org/BPA%20User%20Guide.pdf

 

Adding Value

 

By popular demand, Peter returned to build on what was discussed at the February meeting, this time giving an overview and tips on the principles of curing. Several group members already sell their progeny direct; they along with most of the group members are small scale pig producers. Therefore any means of increasing the value of the carcass is essential if they are to remain viable businesses.

 

Vaccination

 

Chris opened his presentation by looking at whether vaccination was necessary on most farms. Provided there is no disease on the farm, it is a completely closed herd, no pigs ever leave the farm to shows or as service boars, the vermin control and bio-security are both perfect, then the answer is no.

 

In reality though on most farms all of these conditions are very hard to achieve, therefore making the use of vaccines essential to help keep the pigs healthy, and should be part of any good management system. Before any vaccines are used it is vital that whatever the problems is it is fully investigated and diagnosed to ensure the correct vaccine is administered.

 

Some pigs won’t show any signs that there is a problem, however if there are different growth rates within a litter then it is often the first sign there is an underlying problem.

 

Chris explained that in most cases vaccines will provide adequate immunity, although there are occasions when they don’t always work on some pigs and it is not because the disease pathogens have become resistant to them.  However they are not antibiotics and they do not prevent infection, they are used to prevent disease and if there is a failure then it is usually down to something else within the system.

 

When administering the vaccines, the piglets should be handled in a way that causes least stress and presented to the vaccinator suitably restrained with eyes covered, head down, ears forward and neck bent down, the “Calming Grip”

 

After any vaccination it is essential to keep the piglets at an appropriate temperature, make sure they have adequate food and water and that they are checked regularly to ensure there are no adverse side effects.

Chris concluded by stressing that often the causes of failures can be down to the post vaccination cleaning and storing of vaccine. The vaccine gun should be cleaned thoroughly and lubricated using a vegetable NOT a mineral oil, and any open bottles of unused vaccine discarded. Any unopened vaccines should be stored at 2C to 8C in a refrigerator and not against the chill plate as it will freeze,

Add a Comment

If you would like to leave a comment, please login or register for an account.