Path to Mhp herd stability: Elimination or control
Need to examine biosecurity, gilt availability, piglet production, medication/success rate
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) is a widespread, chronic swine respiratory disease characterized by coughing, slower growth and reduced feed efficiency. It can occur throughout the year and is often more severe on continuous flow farms. The decision to eliminate or to control Mhp is an important yet challenging one for producers as there can be significant operational and financial implications.
According to Dr. David Baumert, Sr. Technical Services Veterinarian with Zoetis, that decision-making process should examine and evaluate the following key areas:
Farm location and biosecurity
Gilt availability
Pig placement
Piglet production
Medication/success rate
Operational capabilities
“An Mhp control program requires less upfront financial investment, but related expenses will be ongoing. An elimination program, on the other hand, can remove Mhp long term. Both are good options and producers need to evaluate on the basis of their individual operation,” said Baumert.
An Mhp elimination program does require an operation to withstand the loss of piglet production during an extended herd closure (240 days). Another consideration is if the farm has the operational capabilities and alignment to manage a strict Mhp elimination program.
An Mhp elimination program can be a potentially good fit if a producer is confident he/she will be able to consistently source Mhp-negative replacement gilts and if those pigs produced after the elimination process can be placed in nursery or wean-to-finish barns that house only other Mhp-negative pigs.
“Choosing between a control or elimination intervention isn’t always a straightforward decision,” said Baumert, “Which is one of the reasons why Zoetis recently introduced the Mhp Guardian program, a personalized, customizable four-step Mhp-management program that includes support and materials to aid producers and their veterinarians in making an informed elimination-or-control intervention decision for their herd.”
Baumert suggests that producers work in collaboration with their herd veterinarian and Zoetis team, utilizing the Mhp Guardian Intervention Assessment Worksheet to help identify the intervention strategy best for their operation.
This article is sponsored by Zoetis.
