Federal State

Lower Saxony and Bremen

Project Title

Interdisciplinary concept for optimization of the piglet growth and stabilization of the stock immunity for the purpose of salmonellae reduction.

Project description

Efforts to reduce the prevalence of salmonella in pig farming are still of particular interest to food safety. Although the absolute number of cases of salmonella-related diarrheal diseases of man decreases for years, the relative proportion  due to the consumption of pork, rises. This project has two focal points: 1. Development and establishment of an elaborate action plan in Salmonella conspicuous piglet producing farms in order to reduce the prevalence of salmonella at the beginning of the production chain. Here is the reaction of certain feeding concepts in the foreground, where the focus is on the sows in the last part of pregnancy and suckling period. 2. Inspection and establishment of systematic vaccination programs analogous to the positive experience with the implementation in poultry production. Gradually sows and sows and piglets are vaccinated. The measures are accompanied by intensive consultancy and serologic tests for verification hoped for effects.

Final report

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Results focusing on practiceorientation

The evaluation of biological performance data from the computer supported sow planning and Salmonella seroprevalences from the health screenings showed that high-performing piglet producers with an above-average fertility performance are not among the most Salmonella-inconspicuous farms when compared. On average, farms in the category with the lowest prevalence of Salmonella weaned one piglet less than farms in the next higher category.

The field trial on twelve Salmonella-inconspicuous and twelve Salmonella-conspicuous piglet producer showed that in Salmonella-conspicuous holdings the lightest piglets in a litter were significantly (p ≤ 0,0339) worse supplied with colostrum than the lightest piglets in Salmonella-conspicuous holdings.

The sow ration at birth optimised by means of the experimental feed was able to significantly improve the colostrum supply of the piglets in the experimental group. However, a presumed effect of... (see final report)

Main funding source

Rural development 2014-2020 for Operational Groups (in the sense of Art 56 of Reg.1305/2013)

Project status

completed

Total budget applied for in EUR

601,182

Link 1

Practice Sheet

NUTS3 CODE

DE949