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Mallioris P, Luiken REC, Tobias T, Vonk J, Wagenaar JA, Stegeman A, Mughini-Gras L. Risk factors for antimicrobial use in Dutch pig farms: A cross-sectional study. Res Vet Sci 2024; 174:105307. [PMID: 38781817 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial use (AMU) has decreased significantly in Dutch pig farms since 2009. However, this decrease has stagnated recently, with relatively high AMU levels persisting mainly among weaners. The aim of this study was to identify farm-level characteristics associated with: i) total AMU and ii) use of specific antimicrobial classes. METHODS In 2020, cross-sectional data from 154 Dutch pig farms were collected, including information on AMU and farm characteristics. A mixed-effects conditional Random Forest analysis was applied to select the subset of features that was best associated with AMU. RESULTS The main risk factors for total AMU in weaners were vaccination for PRRS in sucklings, being a conventional farm (vs. not), high within-farm density, and early weaning. The main protective factors for total AMU in sows/sucklings were E. coli vaccination in sows and having boars for estrus detection from own production. Regarding antimicrobial class-specific outcomes, several risk factors overlapped for weaners and sows/sucklings, such as farmer's non-tertiary education, not having free-sow systems during lactation, and conventional farming. An additional risk factor for weaners was having fully slatted floors. For fatteners, the main risk factor for total AMU was PRRS vaccination in sucklings. CONCLUSIONS Several factors found here to be associated with AMU. Some were known but others were novel, such as farmer's tertiary education, low pig aggression and free-sow systems which were all associated with lower AMU. These factors provide targets for developing tailor-made interventions, as well as an evidence-based selection of features for further causal assessment and mediation analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Mallioris
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Roosmarijn E C Luiken
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Tijs Tobias
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Farm Animal Health unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Swine Health Department, Royal GD, Deventer, the Netherlands
| | - John Vonk
- John Vonk DVM, BSc Agriculture, De Varkenspraktijk, Obrechtstraat 2, 5344 AT, Oss, the Netherlands
| | - Jaap A Wagenaar
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Arjan Stegeman
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Farm Animal Health unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lapo Mughini-Gras
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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Bagaria M, Ramayo-Caldas Y, González-Rodríguez O, Vila L, Delàs P, Fàbrega E. Impact of Nutritional Strategies to Prevent Post-Weaning Diarrhoea on Performance, Behaviour, and Microbiota in Piglets from Organic Farming. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1730. [PMID: 38929349 PMCID: PMC11200382 DOI: 10.3390/ani14121730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Organic livestock farming is committed to high environmental and animal welfare standards, although pathologies such as post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) may appear. The main objective of this study was to assess nutritional strategies to prevent PWD in organic piglets. A total of 134 weaned piglets were fed one of three diets: high crude protein (17.8%, HCP), low crude protein (16.8%, LCP), and low crude protein supplemented with liquid whey (LCP+W). Piglets were assessed weekly for four weeks on the following parameters: diarrhoea incidence, additional health parameters, average daily gain, and behaviour. Faecal samples were taken to analyse the intestinal microbiota composition. Data were analysed using LMM and GLMM models and Shannon and Whittaker indexes. No significant effect of diet on diarrhoea incidence was found, but the LCP+W diet increased average daily gain. Pigs fed the LCP+W diet presented a lower percentage of drinking and negative social behaviour compared with the HCP diet, and LCP pigs presented higher exploration compared with HCP. In addition, LCP+W piglets showed a higher abundance of the beneficial genus Frisingicoccus. Although liquid whey did not reduce diarrhoea incidence, the benefits found in growth, microbiota composition, and reduced negative social behaviour indicate that it could be an optimal supplement to organic diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Bagaria
- Animal Welfare Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), 17121 Monells, Spain;
| | - Yuliaxis Ramayo-Caldas
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Spain; (Y.R.-C.); (O.G.-R.)
| | - Olga González-Rodríguez
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Spain; (Y.R.-C.); (O.G.-R.)
| | - Lluís Vila
- Llavora Agropecuària, 17473 Ventalló, Spain; (L.V.); (P.D.)
| | - Pino Delàs
- Llavora Agropecuària, 17473 Ventalló, Spain; (L.V.); (P.D.)
| | - Emma Fàbrega
- Animal Welfare Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), 17121 Monells, Spain;
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Jerez-Bogota K, Jensen M, Højberg O, Cormican P, Lawlor PG, Gardiner GE, Canibe N. Antibacterial plant combinations prevent postweaning diarrhea in organically raised piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F18. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1095160. [PMID: 37077951 PMCID: PMC10106643 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1095160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics and zinc oxide restrictions encourage the search for alternatives to combat intestinal pathogens, including enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), a major cause of postweaning diarrhea (PWD) in pigs. PWD causes important economic losses for conventional and organic farming. This study investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with garlic and apple pomace or blackcurrant on infection indicators and the fecal microbiota of organic-raised piglets challenged with ETEC-F18. For 21 days, 32 piglets (7-weeks-old) were randomly assigned to one of four groups: non-challenge (NC); ETEC-challenged (PC); ETEC-challenged receiving garlic and apple pomace (3 + 3%; GA); ETEC-challenged receiving garlic and blackcurrant (3 + 3%; GB). ETEC-F18 was administered (8 mL; 109 CFU/ml) on days 1 and 2 postweaning. The 1st week, PC had lower average daily gain than those in the NC, GA, and GB groups (P < 0.05). NC pigs showed neither ETEC-F18 shedding nor signs of diarrhea. The PC group had higher diarrhea incidence and lower fecal dry matter than NC (≈5–10 days; 95% sEBCI). The GA and GB groups showed reduced ETEC-F18 and fedA gene shedding, higher fecal dry matter, and lower diarrhea incidence than the PC (≈5–9 days; 95% sEBCI). The NC, GA, and GB had normal hematology values during most of the study, whereas the PC had increased (P < 0.05) red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit on day 7. Haptoglobin and pig-MAP increased in all groups, peaking on day 7, but PC showed the greatest increase (P < 0.05). The fecal microbiota of PC pigs had reduced α-diversity (day 7; P < 0.05) and higher volatility (days 3–14; P < 0.05). Escherichia, Campylobacter, and Erysipelothrix were more abundant in the PC than in the NC, GB, and GA groups (log2FC > 2; P < 0.05), whereas Catenibacterium, Dialister, and Mitsoukella were more abundant in the NC, GB, and GA than in the PC group (log2FC > 2; P < 0.05). Prevotella and Lactobacillus were more abundant in the GB group (log2FC > 2, P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of GA and GB limited ETEC proliferation, reduced PWD, and beneficially impacted the fecal microbiota's diversity, composition, and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Jerez-Bogota
- Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
| | - Martin Jensen
- Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ole Højberg
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
| | - Paul Cormican
- Animal Bioscience Research Centre, Teagasc Grange, Meath, Ireland
| | - Peadar G. Lawlor
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - Gillian E. Gardiner
- Department of Science, Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Southeast Technological University, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Nuria Canibe
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Nuria Canibe
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Effects of a high protein starter diet with fermented soybean cake on growth performance of organic pigs weaned outdoor. Livest Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.105141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Franchi GA, Larsen MLV, Winters JFM, Jensen MB, Pedersen LJ. Investigating the effects of two weaning methods and two genetic hybrids on play behavior in weaner pigs (Sus scrofa). FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.909038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In conventional pig production, suckling pigs are typically weaned between 3 and 5 weeks of age. This involves separation from the sow, dietary change, and regrouping in a novel environment, which challenge the welfare of pigs. We investigated the effects of two weaning methods [conventional weaning: two litters mixed in a weaner pen of different size and design (MOVE) vs. litter staying in the farrowing pen after removing the sow (STAY)] and two genetic hybrids [DanBred Yorkshire × Landrace (approximately 21 total pigs born/litter; DB) vs. Topigs Norsvin TN70 Yorkshire × Landrace (approximately 16 total pigs born/litter with higher individual birth weight and weaning weight than DB; TN)] on play behavior across weaning. Both genetic hybrids were inseminated with semen of DanBred Duroc boars. Litters were reduced to the number of functional teats at birth. The durations of locomotor-rotational play (LOC) and social play (SOC) of 24 indoor-housed litters [pigs/litter: (average ± SD) 13 ± 2; age at the weaning day: 26 ± 2 days] were video-recorded continuously between 14:00 h and 22:00 h on days −1, 1, and 2 relative to weaning and statistically analyzed with mixed-effects modeling at the individual level. Before weaning, TN pigs performed LOC longer than DB pigs. On day 2 post-weaning, STAY pigs engaged in more SOC than MOVE pigs. Moreover, TN pigs and STAY pigs displayed a steeper increase in LOC from days 1 to 2 than DB pigs and MOVE pigs, respectively. We demonstrated that pigs belonging to the genetic hybrid with higher weight at birth and weaning spent more time playing on the day before weaning. Additionally, weaning pigs in the farrowing pen and, hence, avoiding social mixing and relocation to an unfamiliar environment had a positive effect on social play after weaning. Our study illustrates that weaning stress in pigs may be reduced by using a genetic hybrid featuring higher birth and weaning weight and by keeping litters intact in a familiar environment after weaning. This study also supports the use of play behavior as an animal welfare indicator.
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Åkerfeldt MP, Gunnarsson S, Bernes G, Blanco-Penedo I. Health and welfare in organic livestock production systems—a systematic mapping of current knowledge. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [PMCID: PMC7685910 DOI: 10.1007/s13165-020-00334-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This review aimed to systematically map and summarize the status of animal health and welfare in organic production. The prevalence of diseases and behavioural effects in organic dairy cow, beef cattle, sheep, pig, laying hen and broiler chicken were discussed in the context of the organic values and current knowledge on animal health and welfare. In total 166 peer-reviewed scientific publications between 2008 and 2020 were included. No strong evidence for neither inferior nor distinctly higher animal welfare in organic compared with conventional production could be supported. The welfare status of organic livestock is in general good in relation to the OIE definition of animal health and welfare. However, organic systems are still facing several challenges related to animal health and the arising of goal conflicts due to management and practical implications. Greater possibilities to perform species-specific behaviours in organic production systems, however, indicate that the organic standards offer a good framework for high animal welfare management. For organic dairy farmers, the main health problems are similar to those of non-organic farms; especially mastitis and lameness need improvement. Parasites, together with mastitis and lamb mortality, are important welfare issues in organic sheep production. Piglet mortality, leg problems, parasite load and increasing respiratory problems are of major relevance in organic pig production. For organic laying hens, major health challenges relate to feather pecking and cannibalism, parasites and possibilities to express species-specific behaviours. For organic broilers, dermatitis of footpads, hocks and breast are reported as main health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Presto Åkerfeldt
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, SLU, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stefan Gunnarsson
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, SLU, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden
| | - Gun Bernes
- Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, SLU, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Isabel Blanco-Penedo
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Unit of Veterinary Epidemiology, SLU, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Abstract
Organic pig husbandry systems in Europe are diverse - ranging from indoor systems with concrete outside run (IN) to outdoor systems all year round (OUT) and combinations of both on one farm (POUT). As this diversity has rarely been taken into account in research projects on organic pig production, the aim of this study was to assess and compare pig health, welfare and productivity in these three systems. Animal health and welfare were assessed using direct observation and records of 22 animal-based measures, comprising 17 health-, 3 productivity- and 2 behavioural measures. These were collected in pregnant sows, weaners and fattening pigs during direct observations and from records within a cross-sectional study on 74 farms (IN: n = 34, POUT: n = 28, OUT: n = 12) in eight countries. Overall, prevalence of several animal health and welfare issues was low (e.g. median 0% for pigs needing hospitalisation, shoulder lesions, ectoparasites; <5% for runts, tail lesions, conjunctivitis). Exceptions in particular systems were respiratory problems in weaners and fatteners (IN: 60.0%, 66.7%; POUT: 66.7%, 60.0%), weaning diarrhoea (IN: 25.0%), and short tails in fatteners (IN: 6.5%, POUT: 2.3%). Total suckling piglet losses (recorded over a period of 12 months per farm) were high in all three systems (IN: 21.3%; POUT: 21.6; OUT: 19.2%). OUT had lower prevalences of respiratory problems, diarrhoea and lameness of sows. POUT farms in most cases kept sows outdoors and weaners and fatteners similar to IN farms, which was reflected in the results regarding several health and welfare parameters. It can be concluded, that European organic pigs kept in all three types of husbandry system showed a low prevalence of health and welfare problems as assessed by our methodology, but respiratory health and diarrhoea should be improved in weaners and fatteners kept indoors and total piglet mortality in all systems. The results provide benchmarks for organic pig producers and organisations which can be used in strategies to promote health and welfare improvement. Furthermore, in future research, the identified health and welfare issues (e.g. suckling piglet mortality, weaning diarrhoea) should be addressed, specifically considering effects of husbandry systems.
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