A bio-economic simulation study on the association between key performance indicators and pluck lesions in Irish farrow-to-finish pig farms

Abstract

Background Pluck lesions are associated with decreased performance in grower-finisher pigs, but their economic impact needs to be further investigated. This study aimed to identify the main pluck lesions and the cut-off value for their prevalence, associated with changes in average daily gain (ADG) during the wean-to-finish period, to simulate their effects on economic performance of farrow-to-finish farms. Pigs (n = 162 ± 51.9 per farm) from 56 farrow-to-finish farms were inspected at slaughter and the prevalence of enzootic pneumonia-like lesions, pleurisy, lung scars, abscesses, pericarditis, and liver milk spots was estimated. For each farm, annual performance indicators were obtained. Regression trees analysis (RTA) was used to identify pluck lesions and to estimate cut-off values for their prevalence associated with changes in ADG. Different scenarios were simulated as per RTA results and economic and risk analyses were performed using the Teagasc Pig Production Model. Risk analysis was performed by Monte Carlo sampling using the Microsoft Excel add-in @Risk with 10,000 iterations. Results Pleurisy and lung scars were the main lesions associated with changes in ADG. Three scenarios were simulated based on RTA results: a 728 sow farrow-to-finish farm with prevalence of i) pleurisy < 25% and lung scars < 8% (LPLSC; ADG = 760 g); ii) pleurisy < 25% and lung scar ≥8% (LPHSC; ADG = 725 g) and iii) pleurisy ≥25% (HP; ADG = 671 g). The economic analysis showed increased feed and dead animals for disposal costs, and lower sales in the HP and LPHSC scenarios than in the LPLSC scenario; thereby reducing gross margin and net profit. Results from the risk analysis showed lower probability of reaching any given level of profit in the HP scenario compared with the LPHSC and LPLSC scenarios. Conclusion Under the conditions of this study, higher prevalence of pleurisy and lung scars were associated with decreased ADG during the grower-finisher period and with lower economic return in the simulated farms. These results highlight the economic benefits and importance of preventing and/or controlling respiratory disease.

The economic impact of endemic respiratory disease in pigs and related interventions - a systematic review

“…Overall, the most frequently used cost components were veterinary costs (49/58 studies), feed costs (39/58), and labour costs (26/58); whereas the most frequently used revenue components were reduced carcass value (24/58), fewer growing pigs sold (19/58) and fewer piglets weaned/sold (19/58). The modelling studies that considered the most cost components [ 33 , 36 , 37 , 39 ] all reported that feed costs and the reduced revenue from fewer sold piglets or fattening pigs were the costliest components. Although most studies included these components, 19 out of the 58 studies did not consider feed costs, and 24 did not calculate lost revenues due to fewer piglets weaned or fattening pigs sold.…”

Review on the methodology to assess respiratory tract lesions in pigs and their production impact

“…Ferraz et al [ 71 ] estimated a cost of US$6.6 (approximately €6.4) per pig produced considering a reduction in ADG of 27 g associated with lesions (CVPC and pleurisy) in ≥ 15% of the lungs compared with pigs without lesions. Calderón Díaz et al [ 81 ] showed, using a bio-economic simulation study, that from six recorded pluck lesions, pleurisy and lung scars were the main lesions associated with decreases in ADG during the grow-finisher period and a lower economic return.…”

Association between Enzootic Pneumonia-like Lung Lesions and Carcass Quality and Meat pH Value in Slaughter Pigs

“…Porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) is a chronic respiratory disease mainly affecting growing and finishing pigs, causing major economic losses in the pig industry worldwide [ 1 , 2 ]. Generally, the prevalence of respiratory disease ranges from 19% to 74% in pigs.…”

“…M. hyopneumoniae is the primary etiological agent of enzootic pneumonia (EP) and plays an important role in PRDC [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Despite all efforts made to reduce economic losses caused by this pathogen, M. hyopneumoniae continues to be an important concern for swine herds worldwide [ 1 , 2 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. In addition to having a negative effect on pig health, animals with CVPC affecting more than 10% of the lung area have a lower average daily weight gain (ADWG) (6 to 9.3%) during the fattening period and a higher feed conversion ratio (0.16 units) [ 1 , 2 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Despite all efforts made to reduce economic losses caused by this pathogen, M. hyopneumoniae continues to be an important concern for swine herds worldwide [ 1 , 2 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. In addition to having a negative effect on pig health, animals with CVPC affecting more than 10% of the lung area have a lower average daily weight gain (ADWG) (6 to 9.3%) during the fattening period and a higher feed conversion ratio (0.16 units) [ 1 , 2 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. A reduction in the ADWG by 41.1 g corresponds with a prolonged grower–finisher period of 16.7 days up to 104.5 kg slaughter weight and lower economic return [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”