Application of Batch Farrowing Systems & Weaning Programs in Disease Control Clayton Johnson Director of Health Carthage System Wuhan, China August 24, 2017
MetaFarms 2016 Sow Benchmarking 2
Population Disease Management Susceptible Infected Resistant Vaccination/Medication Minimizing Clinical Signs & Decreasing Duration of Infection Johnson, Clayton 3
Performance Performance is reduced during time pigs are sick Mortality Morbidity Growth & Conversion Performance after recovery is variable: Pigs may increase their performance above normal and compensate for reduced performance while ill Pigs may increase their performance but not above normal levels per age Pigs never regain normal performance and continually perform at below average expectations 4
DISEASE IMPACT: STUDY #1 5
Disease Performance Impact: Study Design Groups of littermate pigs split into 2 barns after the nursery period and raised under normal conditions At week 0, (30 34 Kg) one barn inoculated with a field strain of PRRSV (PRRSV+) and the other barn were injected with a saline solution (PRRSV ) PRRSV+ all confirmed PRRSV positive and all PRRSVremained so throughout the study No mortalities or other infections reported Pen feed intake and body weights recorded weekly Trial was completed at an average body weight of approximately 130 Kg. Gabler et al, 2013 6
Disease Performance Impact: Study Results The PRRSV+ animals took 14 days longer (119 vs 105) to reach the final body weight PRRSV+ Pig Performance: Average daily feed intake 6% impacted Average daily gain 10 % impacted Feed conversion was 7% impacted Gabler et al, 2013 Gabler et al, 2013 7
Disease Performance Impact: Performance reduced for Wk 1 4 post PRRSV infection Performance not reduced past Wk 5 PRRSV+ pigs did not perform poorer nor did they compensate for their reduced performance Conclusions Gabler et al, 2013 8
DISEASE IMPACT: STUDY #2 9
Disease Performance Impact: Study Design Closeout performance data from a large US Production System analyzed based on Disease Retrospective Longitudinal Survey Respiratory Focus: PRRS & Mycoplasma hp Disease impact evaluated relative to No Disease Baseline Performance Performance Difference reported for each disease individually as well as in combination Haden et. al., 2012. AASV Proceedings. pp75 76 10
Disease Performance Impact: Study Results Pathogen Difference vs. baseline, % Difference vs. baseline, ADG M. Hyo 2.15 % 0.04 PRRS 1.68 % 0.11 PRRS and M. Hyo 5.34 % (**M**P) 0.14 (*M*P) **M,P,S = combinations vs. M/P/S; P<0.05 * M,P,S = combinations vs. M/P/S; P<0.10 Haden et. al., 2012. AASV Proceedings. pp75 76
Disease Performance Impact: Study Results Pathogen Loss per pig (compared to baseline) M. Hyo $0.63 PRRS $5.57 M. Hyo & $10.41 PRRS Haden et. al., 2012. AASV Proceedings. pp75 76
Disease Impact Implications We must minimize the duration of Clinical Disease to minimize Performance Impacts Unstable disease status in wean pigs will result in prolonged Clinical Disease Infected Pigs Susceptible Pigs Resistant Pigs Tools that Increase the % of Resistant Pigs while Decreasing the % of Susceptible and Infected Pigs will have tremendous value Batch Farrowing 13
Disease Impact Implications Multiple pathogens causing Disease concurrently have a synergistic impact Control of any Disease individually may have dramatic results on pig performance Elimination of Disease remains our most effective Health management tool Tools that facilitate rapid and consistent Disease Elimination will have tremendous value Batch Farrowing 14
Batch Production History & Breeding Group Models 15
Batch Production History Most popular American production model until ~1990 Natural swine seasonal breeding cycle Farrow to finish production models Facilitated early Wean to Finish Transition 16
Batch Production History Multi Site Production & Artificial Insemination Continuous farrowing better utilizes available lactation crate space, increased PSY AI allows more control over insemination timing, can place sows and gilts where needed for consistent breeding 17
Traditional vs Modern Farrowing Nursery Grower Finisher Breeding & Gestation Breeding & Gestation 18
Traditional vs Modern Farrowing Nursery Grower Finisher Breeding & Gestation Breeding & Gestation 19
Traditional vs Modern Farrowing Nursery Grower Finisher Breeding & Gestation Breeding & Gestation 20
Stable Traditional vs Modern Unstable Farrowing Nursery Grower Finisher Breeding & Gestation Farrowing Breeding & Gestation Breeding & Gestation 21
Return of Batch Production Continuous Production produces the most PIGS out of the Sow Unit, but not always the most PORK out of the Production System Endemic Disease challenges are increased Batch Production improves wean pig health 22
Return of Batch Production In addition to Historical Heath Benefits, new pathogens are better controlled with Batch Production PEDv DCoV Rotavirus C HP PRRSv SIV 23
Batch Production Benefits Improved Endemic Health Faster Disease Elimination Faster Return to Normal Health after Outbreak Maximize Labor Specialists Breeding Farrowing Processing Negatives Less Efficient Use of Lactation Crates Lower Wean Age Lower PSY Surges in Labor Needs Breeding Farrowing Processing 24
Batch Production Opportunities & Gilts: Challenges Challenge: Natural variation in 1 st estrus age Opportunity: Utilize common gilt pool for multiple farms Opportunity: Utilize Altrenogest to place gilts into appropriate breeding week 25
Batch Production Opportunities & Recycles: Challenges Challenge: Natural variation in recycle date Opportunity: Increased replacement rate by culling poor reproductive performers instead of rebreeding Opportunity: Transfer recycles to a different breeding group using hormones or physical movement to another farm 26
Batch Production Opportunities & Challenges Farrowing & Breeding Dates: Challenge: Surge in labor needed compared to continuous production Opportunity: Shift labor from other areas of farm Opportunity: Rotate best farrowing labor across multiple facilities 27
Batch Production Opportunities & Nurse Sows: Challenges Challenge: Hard to have nurse sows available for extra pigs at farrowing or for fallback pigs Opportunity: Feeding supplemental milk to pigs 2 days of age or older in Rescue Decks 28
Lactation Space AIAO by Batch 5/4 Batch 5 groups of sows farrowing every 4 weeks Farrow all the crates over a 7 day period Farm activity: Wean one week, breed that group the following week and start farrowing a new group 4 7 days post weaning Wean age ranges from 14 to 21 days of age 29
5/4 Batch Model Gestation Breed Day 29 33 Breed Day 57 61 Breed Day 85 89 Breed Day 113 117 Lactation Breed Day 1 5 Farrow Day 116 120 Wean Day 138 Key Assumptions: 5 Days Breeding, 115 Days Gestation, 3 Empty Crate Days, Load at Gestation Day 112 30
Lactation Space AIAO by Batch 4/5 Batch 4 groups of sows farrowing every 5 weeks Farrow all the crates over a 14 day period Farm activity: Weaning one week, breed that group the following week, farrowing over the next 2 weeks Wean age ranges from 14 to 28 days (can tighten if breeding is well controlled) 31
4/5 Batch Model Gestation Breed Day 36 46 Breed Day 71 81 Breed Week 106 116 Lactation Breed Day 1 11 Farrow Day 116 126 Wean Day 145 Key Assumptions: 10 Days Breeding, 115 Days Gestation, 3 Empty Crate Days, Load at Gestation Day 112 32
Lactation Space Split into 2 Sections 10/2 Batch 10 groups of sows farrowing 1 group every 2 weeks Farrow ½ the crates every 2 weeks with a 4 week turn Farm activity: Wean 1 week, then breed the next week; start farrowing 4 7 days after weaning, start over again with weaning Weaning age of 14 21 days Casanovas, C. 2011. www.pig333.com/management/pig_article 33
10/2 Batch Model Gestation Breed Day 29 33 Breed Day 43 47 Breed Day 57 61 Breed Day 71 75 Breed Day 85 89 Breed Day 99 103 Breed Day 113 117 Breed Day 127 131 Lactation Breed Day 1 5 Farrow Day 116 120 Wean Day 138 Breed Day 15 19 Farrow Day 130 134 Wean Day 152 Key Assumptions: 5 Days Breeding, 115 Days Gestation, 3 Empty Crate Days, Load at Gestation Day 112 34
Lactation Space Split into 2 Sections 7/3 Batch 7 groups of sows farrowing every 3 weeks Farrow ½ the crates every 3 weeks with a 6 week turn Farm activity: Breeding 1 week, farrowing the following week, and weaning the 3 rd week Weaning age of 14 28 days, based on the number of days you breed sows Casanovas, C. 2011. www.pig333.com/management/pig_article 35
7/3 Batch Model Gestation Breed Day 43 53 Breed Day 64 74 Breed Day 85 95 Breed Day 106 116 Breed Day 127 137 Lactation Breed Day 1 11 Farrow Day 116 126 Wean Day 145 Breed Day 22 32 Farrow Day 137 147 Wean Day 166 Key Assumptions: 10 Days Breeding, 115 Days Gestation, 3 Empty Crate Days, Load at Gestation Day 112 36
Transitioning from Continuous Production to 5/4 Batch Production Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Lact Wean follicular phase HeatHeat luteel phase follicular phase Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon follicular Lact Wean HeatHeat phase 15 14 13 12 11 10 Altrenogest 6 5 4 3 2 1 follicular phase Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Lact Wea n follicular phase HeatHeat 8 7 6 Altrenogest 3 2 1 follicular phase Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon gestfarrowing Lact Wean follicular phase Courtesy of Beltranena, E
Batch Production Case Studies System Examples with Production and Health Impacts 38
5/4 Model on 2 Farms 2 2,500 head sow farms 1 1,000 head GDU on site Toohill, E. Batch Farrowing: Disease Control Production Benefits, AASV, 27 Feb 2017 39
High Epidemic Disease Pressure Packing plant < 2 miles Majority of employees live in Beardstown, IL Background Historical Break Rates Break with PRRS every 6 months Broke with PED once, winter of 2014 Toohill, E. Batch Farrowing: Disease Control Production Benefits, AASV, 27 Feb 2017 40
Background Extremely Poor Finishing Performance Both sow farms flow together Issue if one population breaks with PRRS PRRS often became endemic on these farms Dealt with overwhelming PRRS viremia and assortment of septicemia secondary to PRRS downstream Decreased wean pig volume long fill times WTM Grade A Percent commonly 75 80% In Process Mortality average 0.81% 3 months prior to converting to the batch Toohill, E. Batch Farrowing: Disease Control Production Benefits, AASV, 27 Feb 2017 41
Something BIG Had to Happen Goal Make Farms Profitable Through Control of Epidemic Disease Convert to Batch Operate 3 populations as ONE farm 1,000 head GDU minimized impact to mated inventory and non productive days Shared labor allowed for labor segregation Moved bred groups between farms and utilize wean down to 10 days of age for one turn converted in one turn Commit to flowing to 2,400 head sites weaning every 2 weeks Toohill, E. Batch Farrowing: Disease Control Production Benefits, AASV, 27 Feb 2017 42
Initial Conversion for 2 Farms Combine Current Breed Groups to One Farm Farm 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Farm 2 43
Initial Conversion for 2 Farms Combine Current Breed Groups to One Farm Farm 1 1 2 5 6 9 10 13 14 3 4 7 8 11 12 15 Farm 2 44
Final Conversion to 5/4 Wean 2 Weeks of Sows Together Groups 18 & 19 Weaned Together Wean Age 10 24 Days All Sows Weaned to 1 Farm Group 16 & 17 Weaned Together in 2 Weeks Repeat Process Every 4 Weeks on Each Farm Until Complete Farm 1 16 17 18 19 16 17 18 19 Farm 2 Farm 1 1 2 5 6 9 10 13 14 3 4 7 8 11 12 15 Farm 2 45
Minimize Impact of Epidemic Disease Our Experience with PRRS Circulating 1 7 4 for 8 months prior to batch Consistent downstream seroconversion 2 4 weeks post placement Previously utilized Load, Close, Homogenize protocols and strict McREBEL procedures ALL control measures removed when converted to batch Resumed gilt entries Discontinued McREBEL procedures Almost immediate delay in seroconversion to 4 6 weeks 6 months after start of batch no seroconversion downstream Farms have not rebroke since start of batch Toohill, E. Batch Farrowing: Disease Control Production Benefits, AASV, 27 Feb 2017 46
Minimize Impact of Epidemic Disease Expect similar results with PED, SDCoV Impact/recovery highly dependent on time of infection High probability to expose next batch of sows in time to transmit immunity to next batch of piglets Advantage to clean, disinfect, dry ENTIRE farrowing house at once Toohill, E. Batch Farrowing: Disease Control Production Benefits, AASV, 27 Feb 2017 47
Minimize Impact of Endemic Disease Secondary Benefits Labor segregation decreased stillborns Better execution of farrowing room cleanliness Faster Fill Time Wean 5,000+ pigs in 2 days compared to 2 3 weeks previously Max of 5 7 day age spread tighter spread of waning maternal antibodies in population Recovery from endemic influenza appears faster and more uniform through population Prevent stackable stressors to pigs through better management of nutritional needs and ventilation Time interventions such as vaccines and medications more precisely Toohill, E. Batch Farrowing: Disease Control Production Benefits, AASV, 27 Feb 2017 48
Outcome Flow is consistently weaning 5,000+ pigs every 2 weeks WTM closeouts consistently 87%+ Grade A In Process Mortality Averaged 0.28% weekly through summer Averaged closer to 0.4% weekly through fall/winter HALF of what it was prior to start of batch Toohill, E. Batch Farrowing: Disease Control Production Benefits, AASV, 27 Feb 2017 49
5/4 Model System on 4 Farms Four 2500 sow farms in same area Historical low productivity on sow farms Attached continuous flow nurseries with low growth rate and high mortality (>8%) PRRSv, SIV etc etc etc positive and active Herd Roll over for PRRSv had failed for multiple reasons Lack of discipline and low weaning ages Something needed to be done to drive health in both sow farms and nurseries
Model System History Summer 2006 Started 5 group 4 week batch program at all 4 farms Moved sows between farms weekly to create batches Weaned all the sows on Thursday to synchronize groups for breeding Used Matrix to create batches of gilts Exposed gilts to FV PRRSv in isolation barns 6 7 weeks prior to gilt entry
2007-14 2007-16 2007-12 10.5 10 9.5 9 8.5 8 Pigs Weaned per Sow 2006-42 2006-44 2006-46 2006-48 2006-50 2006-52 2007-2 2007-4 2007-6 2007-8 2007-10 Week Pigs Weaned per Sow CL LNPL UNPL 2006-40 2006-38 2006-36 2006-34 2006-32 2006-30
Deaths per 1000 in inventory 30.00 Continuous vs. Batch Flow in Sow and Nursery Units 25.00 20.00 Deaths per 1000 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Week Post Placement Red = Weeks 1 27 2006 CF; Blue= Weeks 1 28 2007 Batch Sow Farms (4 x 2500) NW MO; 2007
6/7/07 6/21/07 7/12/07 30.00% 25.00% 20.00% 15.00% 10.00% 5.00% 0.00% Room Level Mortality - Missouri Nursery X chart 1 2 3 9/2/06 9/21/06 10/11/06 10/26/06 11/16/06 12/14/06 1/4/07 1/25/07 2/22/07 3/8/07 3/22/07 4/12/07 4/26/07 5/17/07 Placement Date Room Mortatliy CL UCL LCL 1: Conversion from CF to Batch; 2: H2N3 Introduced; 3: Elimination of H2N3 Room Closeout Mortatliy 5/5/06 5/26/06 7/20/06 8/10/06 Sow Farms (4 x 2500) NW MO; 2007
Impact of Flow Change on System Throughput Monthly Annual Pigs Sold Mean Weight Total Pounds Revenue Pigs Sold Total Pounds Revenue CF 14648 49.0 718122 $ 670,956 175777 8617462 $ 8,051,476 Batching 15550 54.4 845880 $ 728,983 186602 10150563 $ 8,747,791 Batch Advantage 902 5.4 127758 $ 58,026 10825 1533101 $ 696,315 Percent Change 6.2% 11.0% 17.8% 8.6% Sow Farms (4 x 2500) NW MO; 2007
Impact of Flow Change on System Efficiency Per Sow per Year Per Farrowing Crate per Year Pounds Revenue Pounds Revenue CF 830.8 $ 776 5386 $ 5,032 Batching 994.3 $ 994 6344 $ 5,467 Batch Advantage Percent Change 163.4 $ 218 958 $ 435 19.67% 28.08% 17.79% 8.65% Sow Farms (4 x 2500) NW MO; 2007
Batch Production Lessons Learned & Summary 57
Batch Production Lessons Learned AIAO Batch Models (5/4 or 4/5) provide the greatest Health advantage Altrenogest program must be managed PERFECTLY same dose, same time, every day Target extra breedings over crate capacity (3 5%) Cull poor performing sows (recycles and poor milkers) more aggressively than in continuous farrowing 58
Batch Production Lessons Learned The ability to rotate specialized labor is a significant advantage The ability to use a common GDU across multiple farms is a significant advantage Additional equipment will be needed: Power Washers Processing Carts 59
Batch Production Summary Batch Production Has Significant Health Improvements: Better endemic disease control and epidemic disease recovery Easily facilitates disease elimination, particularly when combined with MEW/SEW programs 60
Batch Production Summary Batch Production Has Additional Costs to Consider: Conversion Cost Increased Non Productive Days Wean Age Impact Number Farrowed Impact 61
Batch Production Summary Producers Must Strategically Evaluate System Impacts: Total Kg of Pork Produced Wean Pig Cost Impacts Conversion Cost & Revenue Impacts 62
Batch Farrowing Systems Workshop 63
Activity #1: Should I Convert My Farm to Batch Production? 10,000 Sow Farrow to Finish 1866 Lactation Crates Currently Farrow 500 Sows/Week Currently Wean 2x per week Current Wean Age is 21 23 Days Veterinarian Consensus: Nursery Mortality Improvement of 1% Finishing Mortality Improvement of 1% ADG Improvement of 50 grams/day 64
Activity #2: What is the Best Batch Model for My Farm? 10,000 Sow Farrow to Finish 1866 Lactation Crates 1 Day of Wean Age is Worth 10 RMB No Shared Gilt Pool No Shared Labor Veterinary Consensus: Lactation Space can be Divided into 2 Sections (not AIAO) without losing Performance Improvements 65
Activity #3: How do I Convert to Batch Production? Goal is to Begin Soon No Shared Gilt Pool or Moving Sows Weekly Production is Variable in Short Term This Week: 525 Sows to Farrow Next Week: 650 Sows to Farrow 3 rd Week: 425 Sows to Farrow 4 th Week: 400 Sows to Farrow Assume 500 Sows/Wk for Future Weeks Altrenogest is Available, but Cost should be Considered 66
Activity #4: How Much Did my Batch Conversion Cost? Impact to Sow Non Productive Days (NPD) 20 RMB per NPD Impact to Wean Age 10 RMB per Day of Wean Age Cost of Altrenogest 67
Strategic Weaning Programs Weaning Age and Health Programs for Targeted Pathogen Control 68
Pathogen Targeted Weaning Programs Pathogen Specific Increase Immunity & Decrease Shedding: Gilts Sows Piglets 69
Pathogen Targeted Weaning Programs Increase Immunity: Gilt Acclimation Pre Farrow Vaccination Gilts 2 Doses Sows May only need 1 Dose Piglet Vaccination Stimulate Immune Response Prior to Maternal Antibody Decay Avoid Vaccination during Times of Stress and Lack of Feed Intake 70
Pathogen Targeted Weaning Programs Decrease Shedding: Gilt Acclimation Pre Farrow Medication Whole Herd Specific Breed Groups Piglet Medication Disease Control: Target Timing Based on Age of Disease Disease Elimination: Medication Coverage Throughout Lactation Period, Use of a Bacteriocidal Medication 71
Pathogen Targeted Weaning Programs Key Medication Considerations: Think like the Pathogen Resistance Mechanisms Organ System Preference 72
Pathogen Targeted Weaning Programs By Gerard D Wright http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/figures/1741 7007 8 123 1 l.jpg Antibiotic targets and mechanisms of resistance. See text for details.wright BMC Biology 2010 8:123 doi:10.1186/1741 7007 8 123Download authors' original image, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41858402 73
Pathogen Targeted Weaning Programs Key Medication Considerations: Think like the Military Use Different Forces to Attack all the Enemies Defenses Evade Resistance Mechanisms Multiple Antibiotic Classes Antibiotics with Different Mechanisms of Action Attack all Important Organ Systems Multiple Antibiotic Classes Antibiotics with Difference Tissue Preferences 74
Process Definitions
Process Definitions
Earliest efforts to use early weaning and segregation technologies to obtain pathogenfree piglets were attempted in the early 1980s Weaning pigs at 5 10 days of age and relying on medication Later studies suggested that early weaning without medication could also reduce, but not eliminate, the impact of disease in pigs 77
Segregated Early Weaning (SEW) Since that time, systems using some form of early weaning and segregating pigs from the breeding herd have been rapidly adopted by the United States swine industry Although several investigators have observed improved growth in pigs undergoing segregated early weaning (SEW) these strategies have not proven to eliminate all pathogenic organisms from growing pigs 78
Immunity In SEW, pigs are removed from the sow while their immunity from maternal antibodies is still high Assumes pathogenic organisms are unable to cross the placenta Assumes maternally derived passive immunity will prevent vertical transfer of such endemic pathogens 79
Immunity Pigs receive IgG, IgA, and IgM via colostrum Pattern of decline of these antibodies is nearly exponential Half lives of immunoglobulin classes can be determined from the assay of serum concentrations over a period of 2 3 weeks Mean half lives were determined to be: 2.8 days for IgM 2.7 days for IgA 9.1 days for IgG 80
Immunity The level of passive immunity in a population varies by the amount of colostrum ingested Thus, the ability to mount an active immune response will vary within a population Management programs that maximize the passive transfer of immunity are critical: Split suckling Early cross fostering 81
Immunity Published anatomical comparisons between SEW pigs and conventional pigs show an increased thymus to body ratio The thymus is a lymphoid organ for T cell development, differentiation, and sequestration SEW pigs had significantly more CD4 CD8 lymphocytes than controls These findings suggest differences in the maturation of immune tissues and distribution of immune cells 82
Historical Elimination Wean Age Recommendations (Hank Harris) 83
Pathogen Targeted Weaning Programs Example: Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Goal: Eliminate Mhp in piglets weaned from an unstable all gilt population Sows: Pre-Farrow Vaccination CTC at 22 mg/kg in lactation feed 30s ribosomal target Enrofloxacin at placement into Lactation Crate DNA gyrase target Mass injection with Tulathromycin at Farrowing 50s ribosomal target 84
Pathogen Targeted Weaning Programs Example: Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Goal: Eliminate Mhp in piglets weaned from an unstable all gilt population Piglets: Colostrum Management Critically Important Tulathromycin at Birth & 10 Days of Age 50s ribosomal target Enrofloxacin at Weaning DNA gyrase target Max Weaning Age of 20 Days Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccination 85
Pathogen Targeted Weaning Programs Example: Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Goal: Eliminate Mhp in piglets weaned from an unstable all gilt population Pigs Post-Weaning: Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccination booster Tilmicosin in the feed for 1 st & 2 nd Nursery Rations Lincomycin in the water for 7 Days Post-Weaning All piglets injected with Tulathromycin 24 hours after weaning 86
Thank You! johnson@hogvet.com 87