The Rural Voice, 1995-03, Page 21Segregated early weaning is one method by which pigs can
be made to grow to their full biologic potential. It is by no
means the only way to achieve this goal."
The same kind of caution was expressed by Mark
Yungblut, swine specialist with Molesworth Farm
Supply Ltd. A well-run three -site operation "should
provide the productivity gains to help us compete with
other competitive pig industries", he said, but then quoted
three -site specialist: "You either do it right or you don't do
it at all."
Yungblut told the several hundred pork producers
present that SEW "requires rigorous, centralized
management to make proactive, not reactive decisions.
Meticulous records are required to aid the scheduling and
decision-making process."
Success with the system will depend on the ability of
minimize variation and the key to that is having weaners as
close in genetics and health status as possible. Even in
among the so-called "good" genetic stock in Ontario there
can be a 15-20 per cent difference in Protein Deposition
Rates, a tremendous difference when it comes to fine
tuning feeding programs in a finishing barn, he said.
"The matching of health status of the supplying sow
herds is imperative," he said. "Any and all pigs can not
successfully be mixed at two weeks of age. For example,
piglets from herds that are either positive or negative for
strep suis do not mix successfully. Glassers disease
probably can't be eliminated. Again, pigs positive and
negative for glassers disease do not mix. Thus, if pigs must
be mixed, vaccination programs for this disease are
imperative. PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory
Syndrome) is transferrable and sow immunity levels need
to be tightly managed.
"Mycoplasma is tough to eliminate (pigs would have to
be weaned under 10 days of age with a medication program
in place). Even if it is eliminated, chances are (depending
on location) it may be difficult from preventing
Mycoplasma re -infection in finishing barns. Also, when
sow herds expand, immunity levels may be upset. One
cannot simply trust that all gilts pass down one common
level of immunity to piglets."
Yungblut stressed that three -site systems were not for
•
Segregated Early Weaning, Dr. Tokach argued, allows
small producers to co-operate, co -mingling pigs to get the
same advantages as integrators.
everyone and the systems can break down.
Ron Macdonald, P. Eng. with RDM Engineering in
Guelph, stressed the importance of environment, what he
called the third link in production performance. "If the
environment is not ideal for SEW pigs, particularly in the
early days, then performance will suffer and the risk of
disease outbreak increases."
He stressed the importance of proper temperature for the
young pigs that arc highly stressed by being weaned off
their mothers at a very early age, handled and shipped,
sometimes long distances, mixed according to size and/or
sex, creating new litter mates, and put into a strange
environment. Heat must be provided to ensure pigs are kept
warm above their lower critical temperature (LCT) which
means pigs won't have to use feed to keep warm.
He compared two heating systems: hot-water floors and
infra -red radiant heating. Hot water systems are more
expensive to install but are cheap to operate by comparison
to forced -air systems (25 cents per pig space compared to
$.60-$1.10). It's essential to have the system installed
properly, with the proper sizing of pipes to distribute heat
evenly throughout the building, especially with the use of
new High Silicate Fume concrete, a harder concrete with
less ability to absorb bacteria. The boiler system must also
be sized properly. A back-up direct -fired propane heater
system must be available for days that are too cold for the
hot water system. •
Infra -red radiant tube heaters, commonly used in poultry
barns, are being tested as alternatives that arc less
expensive to install. The heaters provide heat from
above, creating a blanket -like effect of heat on pigs, much
as the sun warms. Pigs can move to warmer or cooler areas
to suit their own heat needs. Operating costs are expected
to be competitive with hot water heat with lower capital
costs, MacDonald said.
Meanwhile Dr. Mike Tokach looked at the role of
nutrition in SEW. It is important to get piglets onto solid
food quickly after they have been weaned. The critical time
to watch the pigs is 36-48 hours after they have been
MARCH 1995 17