EU PiG – Cross-company approach to PRRS

A group of 13 pig farms in the same region have reduced PRRS problems by 30% in three years by working together and learning from each other to help tackle the problem. They share information and have worked out a common plan which includes using a joint vaccination strategy, drawing up biosecurity plans for the individual farms and sharing information about health problems.

Ambassador: Tom Mertens, Belgium

Publication date: June 2019

Theme: Health management

Challenges: Optimal vaccination strategies

They have learned that solving health problems on pig farms, both in general and with PRRS specifically, requires a total approach.

Reducing PRRS problems by 30%

Benefits

2.5 more piglets weaned per sow
More than 5% increase in piglet weaning weight
5% increase in daily live weight gain in weaners
5% better feed conversion rate in finishers
Gross margin increase of 12.6%
Reduction in production costs of pig meat by 4.9%

Costs

Veterinarian time and medicine costs (euro/sow/year) are 32.7% higher
Labour time and therefore costs increased

Pig farms working together and learning from one another

Information exchange and joint strategy are key to this approach. A joint vaccination strategy has been implemented in combination with improved biosecurity status at the individual farms, and information about diseases and other relevant problems is shared with researchers supporting the farmers’ efforts. PRRS strains are typed so that biosafety leaks can be detected. Based on the individual results of audits, an individual plan for each farm has been set up.

Farms are screened twice per year for the presence of PRRS, and farmers gather to discuss results with an expert
Increased awareness of the importance of biosafety and continuous monitoring by the farmers, e.g. quarantine strategies, disinfectant techniques, etc.
Awareness that solving general health problems and specific PRRS issues requires a holistic approach
All farms have the same veterinarian
All farms use the same vaccines and vaccine schedule
A future aim is to use the same sire line at all the farms

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