Swine dysentery could cost producers £4-10 a pig

Pig producers could be losing £4-10 a pig due to reduced growth rates from swine dysentery, according to a leading pig vet.

Nigel Woolfenden of Bishopton Vet Group said clinical and subclinical disease could mean the difference between profit and loss on many pig farms.

“It can be quite difficult to control spread of swine dysentery. There has been an increase in incidence in the UK, mainly due to an increase in outdoor units and the ability of the bacteria to survive outdoors.”

Swine dysentery is taken in through the mouth and inhabits the large intestine, resulting in damage to the intestine, diarrhoea and protracted recovery.

The bacteria is spread physically by a number of routes and can even survive in contaminated soil at low temperatures, making it quite difficult to control spread.

However, Mr Woolfenden explained how the BPEX Pig Health Improvement Plan (PHIP), which 70% of producers are signed up to in England, has helped bring swine dysentery under control.

And the PHIP has helped control swine dysentery in Yorkshire, according to Mr Woolfenden.

“Farmers have formed clusters and have been sharing information on the nature of the disease, response to treatment and have even considered potential routes of spread in the areas.

“Seventy percent of farms that were in the cluster have now eliminated swine dysentery and the remainder have plans in place to eliminate next year,” he said.