HERD HEALTH
PIH-68
pork industry handbook
PURDUE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
Guidelines for the Development of a Swine Herd Health Calendar
Authors:
LeRoy G. Biehl, University of Illinois
Bruce Lawhorn, Texas A & M University
Leon Wernimont, Carroll, Iowa
Reviewers:
Kevin Cera, University of Delaware
Steve and Sharon Oetting, Concordia, Missouri
Brad Thacker, Michigan State University
James C. Tracy, University of Tennessee
A well-managed, predetermined swine herd health plan minimizes disease by limiting exposure to specific disease organisms and by increasing herd immunity against common diseases. Producers should develop a specific program of disease prevention for their individual farm. Even a minimal program is better than no program at all. Herd management that promotes optimum growth of pigs will likely reduce susceptibility to infection and minimize dependence on subsequent drug treatment, vaccines and other costly disease control practices.

Isolation, blood testing of purchased herd replacements, and a strict sanitation and traffic control program minimize opportunities for new disease organisms to enter the herd, while systematic vaccination of sows and pigs reduces the likelihood of routine diseases that are difficult to control. A comprehensive herd health program also includes adequate nutrition, comfortable housing, excellent ventilation, and vigorous parasite control.

The following herd health program lists most of the needed vaccinations and parasite control measures. Not all the procedures are applicable, desirable or economically feasible for every farm. The list, Table 1, should serve only as a guide. Immunizing agents, anti-parasite products, feed additives and injectables are direct cost items for the producer. Producers should consult with their veterinarian, study the cost/benefit ratio of each procedure, and decide which are necessary for the individual farm. Special problems peculiar to a given farm need to be taken into consideration. Locale, type and size of operation and government regulations will influence health management decisions.

Vaccinations
As previously stated, not all vaccinations listed are required on every farm. Vaccinations to consider in breeding swine are leptospirosis, erysipelas, parvovirus, E. coli,
TGE, rotavirus, Clostridium and Pasteurella/Bordetella for atrophic rhinitis (AR). It is common to vaccinate breeding females (gilts) and young boars for leptospirosis, erysipelas and parvovirus at or after 6 Vi mo. of age and 3 to 4 wk. later. Boosters are given to sows at weaning and to boars every 6 mo. Combination vaccines are commonly used to accomplish these immunizations. Pseudorabies (PRV) vaccines are included in areas where PRV is a threat.

E. coli, AR, TGE, rotavirus and Clostridium vaccines are used in breeding females prior to farrowing if needed. For example, E. coli bacterins are given twice (5 to 6 wk. prefarrowing and 2 wk. prefarrowing) the first time a pregnant female is immunized. That same female receives only one vaccination 2-3 wk. prefarrowing before subsequent litters. E. coli, AR, TGE, rotavirus and Clostridium vaccines are best utilized after a veterinarian has determined they are necessary. For example, AR exists in almost every commercial herd to some degree. However, AR vaccination may only be necessary when increased days to market, feed efficiency loss, decreased average market weight and percentage of “poor-doers” start to cause economic loss. Excellent records are obviously important to measure such economically important performance traits. Even without obvious economic loss, feeder-pig producers may use AR vaccinations as insurance against price discrimination on possible crooked-snout feeder pigs and normal pen-mates. When AR bacterins are used in sows, pigs are usually vaccinated twice at 7 to 10 days and 3 to 4 wk. of age or once at 3 to 4 wk. of age depending on the type of vaccine. One manufacturer recommends vaccination of sows only. A slaughter check will help determine the AR status of the herd and provide insight to the effectiveness of the AR vaccination program.
TGE vaccine used without determination of need becomes extremely expensive. Conversely, TGE vaccina-
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, State of Indiana, Purdue University and U. S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating. H. A. Wadsworth, Director, West Lafayette, IN. Issued in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. We adhere to the policy that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to our programs and facilities.