Impact of Porcine Enzootic Pneumonia and Pleuropneumonia lesions on Carcass Weight and Meatiness: Quantitative Insights from a Mixed-Model Analysis

Abstract

Background Porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) significantly impacts the global pig industry, causing substantial economic losses. This study aimed to quantify the effects of cranio-ventral pulmonary consolidation (CVPC) and pleurisy on carcass weight and meatiness in finishing pigs. We employed a mixed-model analysis to assess lung lesions at slaughter and their correlation with production parameters across seven pig farms. Results The mean prevalence of lesions was 23.8% for CVPC and 15.4% for pleurisy. Pigs with severe lung lesions (> 15.1%) showed significantly lower ADCWG compared to those without lesions (0.951 vs. 0.997 kg/day, p = 0.024). The mixed-effects model revealed that lesions in the right apical lobe and dorso-caudal pleurisy were associated with significant reductions in carcass weight (-2.77 kg and − 2.29 kg, respectively) and carcass meat (-1.76 kg and − 1.43 kg, respectively). An economic analysis under average market price conditions demonstrated that severe lung lesions could lead to losses of up to 11.53 EUR per affected pig. Conclusions This study provides quantitative evidence of the negative impact of CVPC and pleurisy on carcass weight and meatiness in finishing pigs. The findings underscore the importance of effective respiratory disease management in swine production, highlighting potential areas for targeted interventions to improve animal health and economic outcomes.