Status quo of animal health of sows and piglets in organic farms

In an ongoing study, which focuses on the implementation of animal health plans in organic pig production, the status quo of animal health of sows and piglets in 20 organic farms in Germany was assessed. Standard livestock data showed distinct variations. The on-farm assessment brought up weak-points in hygienic, nutritional and animal health management. Gathered data will be used to develop stock customized optimisation strategies with the aim to achieve superior health standards, including an assembly of cost- benefit relationships

Umsetzung eines Tiergesundheitsplanes auf ökologisch wirtschaftenden Ferkelerzeugerbetrieben in Deutschland

Ziel der Untersuchung war es, geeignete Maßnahmen für ein Gesundheitsvorsorgekonzept innerhalb eines betrieblich abgestimmten Tiergesundheitsplanes (TGP) auf ökologisch wirtschaftenden Ferkelerzeugerbetrieben zu identifizieren. Zu Beginn wurde auf 17 Betrieben eine Status quo-Analyse zur Tiergesundheit anhand eines modifizierten Critical-Control-Point-Konzeptes durchgeführt. Danach benötigten 0 der 7 Betriebe insbesondere aufgrund von fehlenden Ausläufen eine Ausnahmegenehmigung für eine Zertifizierung als Öko-Betrieb. Nur 12 der 17 Betriebe führten die gesetzlich vorgeschriebene Erfassung der Leistungsdaten durch. Das Hygiene- sowie das Fütterungsmanagement in den verschiedenen Produktionsabschnitten wies z. T. erhebliche Mängel auf. Impfungen wurden in verschiedener Intensität auf 5 der 7 Betriebe durchgeführt. Anhand der Status quo-Analyse wurde für jeden Betrieb unter Zusammenarbeit von Projektmitarbeiter, Landwirt, Berater und Tierarzt ein individueller TGP, der kurz-, mittel- und langfristige Maßnahmen beinhaltete, ausgearbeitet. Dessen Umsetzung wurde über ca. Jahr auf den Betrieben begleitet. Anschließend wurden die Maßnahmen des TGPs mit den getroffenen Umsetzungen abgeglichen. 4 Betriebe zeigten z. T. deutliche Verbesserungen in einzelnen Managementbereichen. Der TGP hat sich als geeignetes Instrument zur Identifizierung der Problemfelder, zur Koordination von Maßnahmen und zur Verbesserung der Kooperation zwischen den beteiligten Akteuren erwiesen. Der Nutzen des TGPs hinsichtlich der Reduzierung der derzeitigen Tiergesundheitsdefizite ist jedoch begrenzt, solange klare Anforderungsprofile bezüglich der Tiergesundheit fehlen

Ergebnisse der Einführung eines Tiergesundheitsplanes auf ökologisch wirtschaftenden Ferkelerzeugerbetrieben in Deutschland

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of measures as part of an animal health plan on 17 organic sow farms in Germany. A weak-point analysis was performed using a modified critical control point concept for on-farm assessment and detailed status quo analysis. Optimisation strategies were set up in form of farmcustomized health plans based on the status quo assessment. Farms were attended continuously to ensure guidance along the animal health plan implementation. The results of the status quo analysis confirmed the deficits in animal health management from previous studies. Results showed that only 10 farms met the demands of the EC-Regulation with respect to housing conditions. Only 12 farms performed a comprehensive livestock data acquisition. Quality and intervals of cleaning and disinfection measures varied considerably between farms. After one year, half of the participating farms implemented about half of the short term measures recommended as part of their health plans. Animal health plans have proven to support identifying problem areas, to set up improvement strategies and to enforce the cooperation between the involved actors. However, many farms have not been able to meet the basic requirements necessary for improving animal health status

Suitability of individual and bulk milk samples to investigate the humoral immune response to lumpy skin disease vaccination by ELISA

Background The detection of antibodies against capripoxvirus has become easier with a commercially available ELISA validated for serum and plasma. In order to explore its suitability for immunological investigations on alternative samples, this study targeted milk as sample matrix available through non-invasive sampling. Methods Samples for this study were collected from dairy cows vaccinated against LSD in an area without reported LSD virus circulation. Paired serum and milk (individual and bulk) samples were tested by ELISA without and with modifications of the sample incubation time for the milk samples. For the evaluation of the test specificity, 352 milk samples from a milk repository in Germany were used as negative control. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed for determination of the Youden index and determination of the most suitable cut-off value for maximum specificity. Results From 154 analyzed serum samples from Serbia, 75 were detected as positive in the ELISA. Sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA test for milk samples reached values of 88 to 91% using Youden criteria. A cut-off of 10 was determined aiming for maximum specificity. This cut-off value was used for further analysis. Using the protocol for serum, out of 154 milk samples, 38 were detected as positive, number of positive detected milk samples increase up to 48 with modified protocol. Milk samples from Germany reacted negative, except two samples that had borderline results using modified protocol. Significant statistical difference (p < 0.05) was observed between two incubation protocols. The detection of LSD-specific antibodies from bulk milk samples (pools of 2-10 individuals) came along with a reduced sensitivity over the sample of individual animals. Conclusions Results show that the detection of capripoxvirus specific antibodies in milk samples using the commercially available ELISA from IDvet is feasible and can represent a helpful tool for LSDV monitoring programs

Epidemiological study concerning the characteristics of organic pig farming in selected European countries

Interviews and on-farm assessments were conducted in a total of 101 organic pig farms in different European countries (Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden) to gain knowledge about farm management and health status of organic pigs in Europe. 66 farms kept at least one age group outdoors while 35 farms kept their pigs exclusively indoors, for the most part with a concrete outside run. Housing and feeding conditions were characterised by a large heterogeneity within and between European countries. On many farms, the feeding regimes seemed suboptimal, leaving ample room for easily feasible improvements. With respect to the health management, some farms made comprehensive use of the various options, whereas many farmers neglected the implementation of preventive measures, including appropriate hygiene and disinfection measures. On the majority of organic farms with indoor housing, the options for disinfection were hindered by the fact that many farms were not able to implement an all-in all-out concept. In correspondence with the large variation in the living conditions for pigs, also production data and mortality rates differed widely between organic pig farms. According to the estimation by the farmer concerning the occurrence of selected animal health problems, mortality of suckling piglets and weaners and weaning diarrhoea were named as the most relevant disease problems. Although dedicated to the same minimum standards, it can be concluded that organic pig farming does not provide the same living conditions or a homogenous outcome of animal health parameters but, like all systems, also depends on the quality of management. Differences in management practices, housing conditions, restrictions in the availability of resources (labour time, financial budget etc.), and a lack of feedback and control mechanism within the farm system appears to be a main reason for the substantial variation between farms

Modelling control strategies against Classical Swine Fever: influence of traders and markets using static and temporal networks in Ecuador

Classical swine fever (CSF) in Ecuador is prevalent since 1940, pig farming represents an important economic and cultural sector. Recently, the National Veterinary Service (NVS) has implemented individual identification of pigs, movement control and mandatory vaccination against CSF, looking for a future eradication. Our aim was to characterise the pig premises according to risk criteria, analyse the effect of random and targeted strategies to control CSF and consider the temporal development of the network. We used social network analysis (SNA), SIRS (susceptible, infected, recovered, susceptible) network modelling and temporal network analysis. The data set contained 751,003 shipments and 6 million pigs from 2017 to 2019. 165,593 premises were involved: 144,118 farms, 138 industrials, 21,337 traders, and 51 markets. On annual average, 124,976 premises (75%) received or sent one movement with 1.5 pigs, in contrast, 166 (0.01%) with 1,372 movements and 11,607 pigs. Simulations resulted in CSF mean prevalence of 29.93%; Targeted selection strategy reduced the prevalence to 3.3%, while 24% with random selection. Selection of high-risk premises in every province was the best strategy using available surveillance infrastructure. Notably, selecting 10 traders/markets reduced the CSF prevalence to 4%, evidencing their prime influence over the network. Temporal analysis showed an overestimation of 38% (causal fidelity) in the number of transmission paths; The steps to cross the network were 4.3 (average path length), but take approximately 233 days. In conclusion, surveillance strategies applied by the NVS could be more efficient to find cases, reduce the spread of diseases and enable the implementation of risk-based surveillance. To focus the efforts on target selection of high-risk premises, special attention should be given to markets/traders which proved similar disease spread potential

Health status in organic pig herds in Europe

Introduction Organic pig production is still a small-scale produc-tion, achieving, however, increased interest by con-sumers who are concerned about the conventional production method. The EU-Regulation (EEC-No. 1804/1999) on organic livestock production, now replaced by EEC-No 834/2007, was introduced to provide a framework ensuring living conditions for organic livestock to be better than those in conven-tional systems and to harmonize the rules across member states. Scientifically based information on how and to what degree the EU-Regulation contrib¬utes to the objective of a high status of pig health in organic farming is scarce. Further information is needed to assess whether consumer expectations in organic pig production in Europe are met. MATERIAL AND METHODS An epidemiological study was performed on 101 organic sow herds in 6 European countries (Denmark, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Italy and France). 13 to 20 farms per country were assessed. On-farm data included a comprehensive interview with the herd manager in relation to housing conditions, feeding regime, data acquisition, cleaning and disinfection measures, medicine usage, culling reasons, vaccina¬tion protocols, etc.. Recorded livestock data included: liveborn and stillborn piglets/farrowing, weaned piglets/sow/year, piglet losses/farrowing, losses of weaned piglets, litters /sow lifetime, and the preva-lence of diseases according to the treatment records. Data from all countries were merged into one joint database and analysed statistically. Results Although dedicated to the same minimum standards, the farm structures were characterised by a huge heterogeneity. 67 farms were keeping their sows outdoors while 34 farms were indoors with outside runs. Group suckling was implemented on 52% of the farms. The degree of specialisation was compara¬tively low. About 40% of the farms had another eco¬nomically relevant livestock enterprise on the farm apart from keeping pigs. Farmers differed widely in their feeding regimes, in making use of phase feeding and diet calculations. Moreover, the farms varied in the cleaning management and in the implementation of disinfection measures. The study also revealed large differences in animal health management with respect to the use of quarantine, availability of hospi¬tal pens, presence of the farmer during farrowing, and regarding routine measures such as castration, teeth reduction, and iron supplementation of piglets. For 50 % of the farms the abattoirs provided feedback of pathological findings for slaughtered sows, and 80 % for fattening pigs. Huge differ-ences were detected in the perception of the farmers with regard to health problems on their farm and with respect to the availability of labo-ratory results. Mean mortality rates of piglets until and after weaning averaged 19.7 ± 9.7% and 4.9 ± 5.4% resp., showing clear differences between coun¬tries and farms. Mean values for the annual re¬placement rates of sows and litters per sow life-time were 32.4 ± 14.3% and 6.3 ± 2.3 resp. Ac-cording to the treatment records, metritis and mastitis appeared as the predominant diseases of the sows, nearly all treated with antibiotics, fol-lowed by cases of lameness and abscesses. In the case of suckling piglets, diarrhoea, arthritis and respiratory diseases were predominant. Also the weaned piglets suffered primarily from diarrhoea. Farms showed an incidence of 27.6 ± 34.3%. of piglets treated with antibiotics against diarrhoea. Conclusions The results indicated that in general the status of animal health in organic pig herds was compara¬ble to data found on conventional farms. Differ¬ences between farms appear to be greater than those between production methods. Obviously, the production method defined by standards does not provide a homogenous outcome with respect to the animal health status. Differences in man¬agement practices and in feedback and control mechanisms within the farm system might be the main reasons for substantial variation in the prevalence rates of diseases. Any improvements in organic pig production require the use of feed¬back mechanisms and a clear definition of the expected results with respect to the outcome of the farm system. Consequently, there is a need for a change in the paradigm from standard and resource oriented to a result and outcome ori¬ented approach. The implementation of a moni¬toring system including on farm clinical assess¬ment, abattoir data and review of treatment data, concepts to deal with potential problems (e.g. health planning strategies, HACCP protocols, etc.) and a definition of the expected results with respect to the output of the farm system might be a way forward for organic farming ensuring a high status of animal health and welfare

Evidence-based African swine fever policies : do we address virus and host adequately?

African swine fever (ASF) is one of the most threatening diseases for the pig farming sector worldwide. Prevention, control and eradication remain a challenge, especially in the absence of an effective vaccine or cure and despite the relatively low contagiousness of this pathogen in contrast to Classical Swine Fever or Foot and Mouth disease, for example. Usually lethal in pigs and wild boar, this viral transboundary animal disease has the potential to significantly disrupt global trade and threaten food security. This paper outlines the importance of a disease-specific legal framework, based on the latest scientific evidence in order to improve ASF control. It compares the legal basis for ASF control in a number of pig-producing regions globally, considering diverse production systems, taking into account current scientific evidence in relation to ASF spread and control. We argue that blanket policies that do not take into account disease-relevant characteristics of a biological agent, nor the specifics under which the host species are kept, can hamper disease control efforts and may prove disproportionate.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science#am2022Veterinary Tropical Disease

Umsetzung eines Tiergesundheitsplanes unter Berücksichtigung sozio-ökonomischer Gesichtspunkte auf ökologisch wirtschaftenden Ferkelerzeugerbetrieben

Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung war es, den Status quo bezüglich der Tiergesundheit auf ökologisch wirtschaftenden Ferkelerzeugerbetrieben zu ermitteln. Darauf aufbauend sollten betriebsindividuelle Tiergesundheitspläne (TGP) erarbeitet werden. Deren Umsetzung wurde über 1 Jahr begleitet. Die Status quo-Analyse auf 17 Betrieben anhand eines modifizierten CCP-Konzeptes ergab: Lediglich 12 der 17 Betriebe verfügten über eine Auswertung von gesetzlich vorgeschriebenen Produktionsdaten. 10 der 17 Betriebe benötigten eine Ausnahmegenehmigung, da insbesondere Ausläufe häufig fehlten. Qualität und Intervall von R & D-Maßnahmen variierten erheblich zwischen den Betrieben. 16 Betriebe führten eine regelmäßige Entwurmung ihrer Tierbestände - jedoch ohne Effektivitätskontrolle - durch. Futteranalysen ergaben v.a. bei den laktierenden Sauen keine bedarfsdeckende Zusammenstellung der Rationen. Der aus diesen Ergebnissen hervorgehende betriebsindividuelle TGP bestand aus kurz-, mittel- und langfristig umzusetzenden Maßnahmen. Zu Projektende hatte lediglich die Hälfte der Betriebe mehr als 50% der kurzfristigen Maßnahmen aus dem Tiergesundheitsplan umgesetzt. 14 Betriebe konnten sich in den o.g. Managementbereichen zumindest partiell verbessern. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass für das Gesundheitsmanagement auf vielen Betrieben erheblicher Optimierungsbedarf besteht. Der TGP hat sich als nützliches Instrument erwiesen, um Problemfelder zu identifizieren und Optimierungsstrategien zu entwickeln. Die derzeitigen Defizite bezüglich der Tiergesundheit erscheinen jedoch allein anhand von Beratungsangeboten nicht verbesserungsfähig. Es wird geschlussfolgert, dass sich der Gesundheitsstatus in den ökologischen Sauenbeständen ohne die Vorgabe von tiergesundheitlichen Zielgrößen nicht markant verbessern wird