A ‘fresh pair
of eyes’ is useful on any pig unit, whether they have a lot of challenges to address or
performance is already quite good. BPEX’s on-farm reviews can provide producers
with additional help and experience to improve performance or to tackle a
particular issue. A short visit report is written afterwards for the producer
and shared with the unit's vet.
When one East
Anglian unit requested a farm review visit, I was able to discuss with him possible
ways to reduce problems with ‘greasy pig’. I suggested applying dry
disinfectant, in just one farrowing room on days 6, 8 and 10, to see if it
helped. The BPEX health team is also providing some help and information on
swabbing pig pens for bacteria and disinfection.
Something else
I found interesting was that the unit is not using injectable iron, but an iron
powder, which is offered to the piglets on days 3, 7, and 10 and, so far, no
piglets are suffering with anaemia. We often pick up different ideas and
practices like this when we go on farm and it all adds to the knowledge and
experience that, as a knowledge transfer team, we can share with other
producers.
Go to: www.bpex.org.uk/2ts/contact.aspx
No comments:
Post a Comment