Go for all-in, all-out pigs
Go for all-in, all-out pigs
PIG producers facing difficulties with post-weaning fading syndrome are urged to manage age groups carefully and adopt an all-in, all-out policy.
Humberside vet Mark White explains that while the number of cases has been rising steadily, there has been a surge in the last four or five months.
Colder weather and poor air flow are contributory factors, he says, but PRRS (blue ear) is also involved, making control tricky. "Also, once fading occurs, producers will often move affected piglets back to younger age groups, spreading disease."
Mr White recommends adopting an all-in, all-out policy, or paying close attention to age grouping and establishing a hospital area for affected piglets.
"However, fading is occurring on such a large scale in some units that nearly all piglets would be in the hospital area."
Post-weaning fading syndrome results in piglets not growing at all, or only slowly, depending on severity.