Life Sciences Commons^™

Veterinary Consultancy Boosts Piggery Profits, Ashley Mercy

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A pilot Pig Herd Health Management Scheme co-ordinated by the Department of Agriculture has stimulated much increased involvement of veterinarians in the Western Australian pig industry. Co-ordinated by Ashley Mercy, principal veterinary officer (epidemiology) horn 1985 to 1989, the scheme demonstrated the value of having regular visits from veterinary consultants and in implementing programs to prevent disease and production problems occurring in herds.

The Western Australian Pig Health Monitoring Scheme, Ashley Mercy

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Over 30,000 slaughter pigs from 245 Western Australian piggeries have been examined for the presence of 16 diseases since the Western Australian Pig Health Monitoring Scheme (PHMS) started in January 1987. The scheme was developed by the author in conjunction with Dr Chris Brennan, a pig veterinary consultant. Monitoring of slaughter pigs is an important part of providing an effective veterinary service to commercial piggeries. It can be used in accreditation schemes and to help in certifying herds free of particular disease

Atrophic Rhinitis In Pigs, A R. Mercy

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Severe atrophic rhinitis in pigs recurred recently in Australia after an apparent absence of some 20 years. The first of these recent cases occurred in a Westerm Australian herd in late 1984 and since then six other local herds have reported the disease. Severe atrophic rhinitis has also been seen recently in South Australia.

Atrophic rhinitis is a complex disease which causes degeneration of the nasal cavity, twisting of the snout and sometimes occasional bleeding from the nose.

It occurs only in pigs and severely affected animals may have a slower growth rate.

Seasons Can Affect Growing Pigs, W D. Sharp

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

No abstract provided.

Pigs May Need More Protein, N W. Godfrey

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Results of trials indicate that meatmeal based rations of 18 to 20 per cent protein may improve carcase quality and give better returns.

Low Protein Rations Halve Bacon Pig Profits, N W. Godfrey

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

For many years the department of agriculture has recommended that pig producers include meat meal or other protein concentrate in pig rations based on cereal grains. However, it is still common for pigs to be raised on cereal grains with little or no protein added.

Recent trials at the Department of Agriculture's Medina Pig Research Station have demonstrated the losses which can result from feeding pigs on low-protein cereal rations.

Calcium And Phosphorus Requirements In Lupin Seed Rations For Pigs, N W. Godfrey, A. R. Mercy

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Seed of lupin varieties now available can be combined with wheat or barley to produce a balanced diet for growing/finishing pigs, and lupin seed has become a popular ingredient of pig rations.

As a protein concentrate, lupin seed is a satisfactory alternative to meatmeal, provided adequate amounts of calcium and phosphorus are added as supplements. Without the addition of these elements to rations of lupin seed and grain, a number of problems are likely to arise.

Trials at the Medina Pig Research Station have shown that Christmas Island rock phosphate is the cheapest and most convenient source of supplementary calcium …

The Medina Pig Research Station, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Before the Department of Agriculture's Medina Pig Research Station was established in 1964, pig production research had been carried out on Denmark Research Station, Muresk Agricultural College and in some commercial herds.

However, with increasing specialisation in the pig industry better facilities were needed. Medina Research Station provides such facilities, allowing it to carry out research to provide detailed information of immediate practical value for both extensive and intensive pig production enterprises.

Basic Pig Breeding, P Mcnamara

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

PROFITABLE pig raising depends on the tumoff of efficiently grown animals. Breeders should be selected for growth rate, and proper care of the breeding sow will ensure that her litters are large and healthy.

A rapid increase in the number of breeding sows in Western Australia suggests that some relatively inexperienced breeders may have started raising pigs. This article sets out the best pig breeding methods as a guide to beginners and a reminder to more experienced pig raisers.

Thinking Of Pigs To Raise Your Income?, P Mcnamara

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

WHEAT quotas and low wool prices have caused many farmers to look to pigs to consume homegrown grain and to lift their incomes. However, with sow numbers at a record level, is it possible for a wheatbelt farmer to raise pigs profitably?

Because of his access to cheap grain, the wheatbelt farmer may be able to make a good profit on each pig sold. This could make pigmeat production a useful sideline on the farm, providing the farmer produces only lean pigs. There is no market for overfat pigs.

This article gives some hints on production of pigs on cereal …

Pig Husbandry Research In Western Australia, N W. Godfrey

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

IN the past it has not been possible to undertake research work with pigs on any appreciable scale in Western Australia.

A small herd has been maintained at Denmark Research Station for some years as a demonstration side-line unit, run in conjunction with the dairy herd.

A number of very useful trials have been carried out with the Denmark herd, but its size has limited the comprehensiveness of the type of research work that could be undertaken.

Breeding Better Pigs, B M. Goss

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

IN the past, pig breeders have tended to select animals on physical characteristics, many of which have little or no relevance to economy of production.

Selection techniques now available open up the possibility of improved pig production efficiency.

Ultrasonic Testing : An Aid To Better Breeding, B M. Goss

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE ultrasonic tester was originally developed as a metal flaw-detector for industrial purposes, and its usefulness for making carcass measurements on the live pig was first demonstrated about 10 years ago.

The Pig's Need For Minerals, N W. Godfrey

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Only 16 of the one hundred odd chemical elements known are considered to be essential mineral elements for pigs.

As some of these are required in much smaller quantities than others, they are referred to as trace or minor elements, while the remainder are called major elements.

Two Causes Of Reduced Profit From Pigs, G A L Ward

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

LOSS of condition in a pig affects profits more severely than slow rate of growth.

Two common symptoms, scouring and itching, cause weight loss and are followed by a period of reduced weight gain.

Practical Disease Prevention In The Pig Herd, R B. Richards

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

DISEASES cause loss in pig production through mortality, poor growth rate and reduced food conversion efficiency.

The cost of drugs and expert advice causes further economic loss, and the dangers to public health and to other livestock in a community are serious and often-neglected considerations.

Profitable Bacon Production In A Small Herd, B M. Goss

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

PIG HERDS are tending to become larger and more specialised, but it is still possible for the small herd of less than 20 sows to absorb by-products and spare labour very profitably.

These advantages can be lost if the scale is larger.

Swine Fever And African Swine Fever, V W. Smith

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

PIGS may become infected by viruses which also cause disease in other animals (for instance foot-and-mouth disease) but there are two virus diseases worthy of special mention because they cause clinical disease in pigs only.

Disposal Of Effluent From Piggeries, P Mcnamara

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

ONE of the major problems associated with an intensive piggery is the disposal of the effluent; the nearer the piggery is to urban areas, the greater the problem.

Home Mixing Or Purchased Feeds?, P Mcnamara

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

FEED is the largest single cost in pig production, so any saving which can be made will be of major importance.

The Western Australian Pig Industry, P Mcnamara

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A look at the pig industry in Western Austrailia.

Round Worms : Important Parasites Of Pigs, F C. Wilkinson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

ROUND WORMS are usually found in the small intestine of pigs. The adults average six to 10 inches long. They are creamy-white and cylindrical in shape, tapering to a point at both ends.

Swine Erysipelas, G C De Chaneet

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

SWINE ERYSIPELAS, first diagnosed in Western Australia in 1960, has become a source of considerable loss to the pig industry.

Most losses have resulted from carcass condemnation at abattoirs because of arthritis caused by the erysipelas organism.

What Is The Difference?, F C. Wilkinson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A lesson to be learnt - a dose in time saves the line.

Pig Castration, F C. Wilkinson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Castration - a necessary task made easier if done early. Clear instructions with pictures.

Did This Cause This? [Sarcoptic Mange Of Pigs], F C. Wilkinson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The mite on the left was detected by using a microscope with a magnification of 100 times to examine a skin scraping taken from the above pig.

This confirmed the suspicion that sarcoptic mange mites were the cause of the skin lesions.

Skim Milk : Is A Valuable Pig Feed, But It Should Be Balanced By Other Foods, P Mcnamara, R. Sprivulis

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

SKIM milk is a source of high quality protein, and as such is a valuable feed for young pigs.

Pigs will live and grow on skim milk alone, but it is not a balanced food. You will not get the best out of the milk or the pigs if the diet is not balanced by other foods.

Individual Sow Feeders, P Mcnamara

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

FOOD is the major cost in any pig enterprise and it is particularly easy for waste to occur in the breeding herd.

Individual feeders enable the pigman to feed each sow according to her need, and enable the sows to eat their feed slowly or quickly as they choose.

The Baconer Carcass Competition : A Guide To Better Quality Pigs, P Mcnamara

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

TO PROMOTE the ever-increasing trade with Britain and encourage quality production, the Australian Meat Board sponsored the 1937 All Australian Baconer and Pork carcass competition.

Pig-Pox, F C. Wilkinson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE lesions of pig-pox appear rather alarming when seen for the first time.

Fairly large red areas initially appear on the pig's skin followed later by scab formation, with healing two or three weeks after the first appearance of the disease.