Mhp-positive herds can have decreased average daily gain and feed efficiency along with increased medication cost and mortality
Considered one of the “big three” respiratory diseases, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) is a drain to U.S. pork producers on several fronts. As Dr. David Baumert, senior technical services veterinarian with Zoetis, shared with Feedstuffs during the University of Minnesota Leman Swine Conference last fall, the impact of Mhp can be significant in the areas of pig health, performance, productivity and efficiency and can leave a producer paying increased medication costs and higher facility costs.
Baumert explained pigs of all ages are susceptible, but they typically become infected in the first few weeks of life either from the sow or from other pigs after commingling. Mhp-positive herds can have decreased average daily gain, decreased feed efficiency, increased medication cost and increased mortality.
Mhp-positive pigs average 9.2 pounds lighter and, on average, need six days to reach market weight. Overall, the economic impact results in a loss of $2.00 to $5.00 for Mhp-positive pigs. In addition, research has shown that Mhp in combination with other pathogens results in performance losses and costs greater than the additive costs of each pathogen.
For example, the actual costs of a PRRSv and Mhp coinfection, at $9.69 per head, were 1.5X greater than the additive costs of uncomplicated PRRSv and Mhp. Likewise, the additive cost of uncomplicated Mhp and influenza A virus of swine (IAV-S) was $3.86 per pig, but the impact of IAV-S and Mhp together was $10.12 per pig.
Baumert explained how a first-ever Mhp management program – Mhp Guardian – can help producers better achieve their specific operational goals through a four-step management process for either a control or elimination intervention.
Mhp Guardian is designed to move Mhp-positive herds into a negative or more stable status and helps keep them there. The program includes a step-by-step approach that guides a producer through a herd status identification process, an intervention risk assessment, customized road maps and implementation support for either a control or elimination program, depending on a producer’s specific objectives, as well as an ongoing monitoring program.
View our interview with Dr. David Baumert
