With high pig prices there is a temptation to push production as hard as possible. The advent of circovirus vaccines has allowed some producers to cut corners on stocking density, downtimes for cleaning buildings and other management tasks previously needed to control PMWS, says Paul Thompson, veterinary consultant to pig-breeding company, ACMC Ltd.
This is what well-known Yorkshire vet, the late Mike Muirhead called "Greedy Pigman’s disease", he says. But even with efficient vaccines there is a limit to what systems will take before breaking down.
Once growth rate on a unit which is already being pushed to the limit slows down, the effects are cumulative, since stocking rates increase still further. Keeping to sensible service targets and managing pig flow remains essential, advises Mr Thompson.
www.acmc.co.uk
