Identifying On-Farm Problems Using Case Studies

Case 1:

This herd sexes the pigs at weaning and places pigs in pens according to size. The nursery rooms are divided into hot and cold nursery. When the pigs are approximately 50 lb., the producer noted a wide variation in pig size in the pen of small barrows. This variation was noted in all 4 nursery rooms.

What questions would you ask?

List 3 possible reasons

Final Diagnosis

Case 2:

This farm has 250 sows, farrow to finish. of good health status. Average total born is 12.1 pigs/litter. Average birth weight is 3.35 pounds per pig. Average number of pigs weaned are 8.2 and the average pig weaned weight is 12.9 lb. at 20 days. The farm purchases replacement stock from a highly reputable breeding company. The farrowing barn is all in/ all out. A breakdown of reason for piglet death is 40% laid on, 23% low viability, 18% starvation and 8% starvation. Less than 1% were due to scours.

What questions would you ask this producer.

What recommendations would you make to improve his preweaning mortality.

Final Diagnosis

Case 3:

Here are photos of finishing barns under construction.

Discuss your observations and make note of the positive and negative aspects of this facility.

If you would like to make changes, how would you alter the facility at this point in construction?