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.
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin November 29, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin November 29, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
When short-term rentals make sense
Bianca Smit, national operations manager at CFAO Equipment SA, outlines factors to consider when choosing a rental equipment partner.
The timing of onion sowing is critical
Each onion variety has a different resistance to bolting, thus growers need experience and knowledge to guide them,
Understanding cannabis and hemp regulations in South Africa
South Africa's cannabis and hemp regulations remain a topic of debate and uncertainty, particularly when it comes to commercial use and small-scale production. Cannabis experts Shaad Vayej and Trenton Birch spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the challenges that small-scale cannabis and hemp farmers face.
European seed's influence on the US cannabis market
The expansion of European cannabis seed onto the US market is not just about economic growth; it’s also about enriching the landscape of US cannabis with diversity, innovation and education,
'It's important to get the right tool for the job'
The adoption of technology is crucial to sustaining efficiency gains and beating the cost-price squeeze in the agriculture sector.
A brilliant bushveld break between Bela-Bela and Modimolle
The distinctive touch, diligence, and 24/7 customer care are just a few of the reasons you should visit four-star Tourism Council-graded Pumula Game Farm,
John Deere: elevating performance and efficiency in modern farming
In the fast-paced world of farming, the right tools make all the difference.
The naval disaster Winston Churchill tried to hide
Three British warships were sunk by German naval gunfire on a dark day early in World War II, but the heroes who fought back received only muted recognition, possibly to avoid bad publicity,
Breaking down the principles of regenerative farming
Jean Hugo, a post-graduate student at the Tshwane University of Technology, and Leon Hugo, author on environmental matters and former professor of geography at the University of Pretoria, write about the importance of regenerative agriculture for small-scale farmers, and the challenges related to making the shift.
Ectoparasite control: more tips for livestock farmers
To reduce the mayhem that uncontrolled ectoparasites can create for communal farmers, it’s best to adopt a holistic approach in conjunction with veterinary remedies,
