In the realm of pig farming, biosecurity isn’t just best practice; it’s a necessity. For South African farmers, the risks posed by diseases like African swine fever (ASF) and foot and-mouth disease (FMD) demand rigorous biosecurity measures from the very beginning.
Yet biosecurity is only one component of a successful pig farm. To thrive in a competitive market and meet the criteria of local and international buyers, farmers must also ensure nutritional standards and sustainable practices are prioritised.
To delve deeper into these essentials of pig farming, JD Mostert, a consulting swine nutritionist at CS Vet, and Dr Stefan Steyn, a technical and regulatory veterinarian at Afrivet, share their insights with Farmer’s Weekly.
BIOSECURITY: THE NONNEGOTIABLE FOUNDATION
Mostert emphasises the importance of biosecurity in pig farming: “If you don’t have biosecurity, don’t start farming pigs at all.”
The primary role of biosecurity is to act as a prevention barrier, stopping disease from entering the farm. Should disease make its way onto the farm, however, biosecurity then acts as a protection barrier, stopping the spread of the disease among all the animals in the herd. Steyn says biosecurity involves “physical and procedural barriers between the farm and the biological challenges of the outside world”.
In the case of ASF, for example, the disease can spread rapidly if robust biosecurity measures are not in place. As ASF has a high mortality rate, farmers can expect to lose most, if not all, of their pigs. This is obviously devastating to the farmer’s operation and could lead to the farmer having to exit the industry.
In diseases like FMD, which does not have a high mortality rate, biosecurity measures are equally important. FMD can result in reduced production, compromised feed intake and decreased feed conversion efficiency, causing massive economic losses for farmers.
Esta historia es de la edición November 29, 2024 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 29, 2024 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Uncertainty over Trump's stance on AGOA
It is of vital importance that that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) be upheld following the recent US presidential election, in which Donald Trump emerged as the winner.
Plum pollen study reveals varietal differences in pollination effectiveness
A new study undertaken near George, Western Cape, explored pollination in plum varieties, showing key differences in pollen quality. Octavia Avesca Spandiel reports on the research findings.
Study: small cuts to beef production could eliminate years of emissions
In a paper published in early November, scientists reveal that pasturelands, in particular those that were once forests, hold great potential for mitigating the effects of climate change.
Harnessing wind for cleaner energy
At the Windaba Conference and Exhibition, held in October in Cape Town, Western Cape, Niveshen Govender, CEO of the South African Wind Energy Association, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the state of wind energy in the country and the opportunities that farmers can exploit.
The Cape Grace: a Cape Town icon is reborn, and her new custodians shine
Brian Berkman has had the exceedingly good fortune of spending many nights at the Cape Grace Hotel over the years. He revisits it to find it as impressive as ever.
Cutting-edge tech aiding the agri sector
Toyota Material Handling's innovations conserve resources and reduce the environmental footprint of farming operations.
Use the correct growing medium for safe seedling production
Instead of buying expensive growing mediums for seedlings, farmers can make their own mixtures from local resources, such as manure, which are economical and produce excellent results
Optimising cherry production and quality
Growing cherries in a suboptimal climate requires manipulating trees and temperatures. But with a considerable market advantage, it is worth the effort. Lindi Botha visited ZZ2's Toscana farm, which for four weeks of the year takes prime position in the cherry market.
Biosecurity & nutrition: the foundation of pig farming success
JD Mostert, a consulting swine nutritionist at CS Vet, and Dr Stefan Steyn, a veterinarian at Afrivet, shared their expertise with Sinenhlanhla Mncwango, delving into why biosecurity and nutrition are critical pillars in establishing and maintaining a productive pig farm geared for long-term success.
The business of pig farming: practical steps for success
Running a pork farm requires knowledge and expertise. Mosele Lepheane, director of a small piggery in the Free State, spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mncwango about the structured approach needed to succeed, from drafting a business plan and managing cash flow to sourcing equipment and expanding market access.
