Background
What does healthy mean to you? To many, the absence of clinical disease is a major contributing factor, however healthiness in pigs is much more than this. Herd health has the ability to cause severe impact to a unit's production record, so don't you think its time you considered the impact suboptimal health status is having on your unit?
Back in April 2009, a plan was devised to help producers across Yorkshire and Humberside fight this ongoing battle with disease. A team consisting of BPEX, DEFRA and the local Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward, was established and the rest as they say is history! The National Pig Associaton (NPA) and the British Pig Association (BPA) have also both lent considerable support to the project.
The project is managed by Sam Hoste (Quantech Solutions) and David Thelwall (Prospect Management) along with the health subdivision of BPEX. There is also a steering committee which has been established consisting of producers, vets and ancillary trade members.
Yorkshire Forward is potentially providing financial support to the initiative, funds which will be directed to where they will make the most difference. The target is to give producers the tools to reduce production costs by up to £8 a pig. So far, the project has been through Stage One, which mostly consisted of laying the foundations for Stage Two. This is summarised below:
Stage One
There are two reasons why the English pig industry's health improvement strategy was rolled out in this region first.
1. Crucially, Yorkshire Forward shares producers' visions of what can be achieved to improve pig health and welfare.
2. Equally as important, Yorkshire pig keepers have, in the words of one producer, demonstrated that they are "up for tackling something really big" to improve health status.
The planning phase has included the mapping of all pig units in Yorkshire and Humberside and this will provide the platform for producers to share health status. Identifying mainstream pig operations is a relatively straighforward process. However, locating and communicating with smaller scale pig keepers poses a greater challenge, but one that is being tackled with success. " We accept that it will be impossible to persuade one hundred percent of pig owners to take part but our target will be to create a growing area of minimal disease pressure which in turrn will reduce the chances of reinfection after, say, a destock" said David Thelwall.
Producers living in the region can really help, by notifying BPEX of any units on the map which no longer keep pigs, or any new businesses starting up (click here to contact your local coordinator)
The planning phase included a series of producer meetings across the region, setting the ball rolling on the intended “collaboration culture” for the area. These meetings gave producers the chance to get to grips with the scheme, and indeed, over 300 units of various production type are now signed up to YHH. These producers have also started talking to their neighbours to formulate plans to improve the health of their units.
Stage One also included a "veterinary pilot" which involved collecting faecal samples on farm, and blood serum samples from the sticking point at the abattoir. This has allowed BPEX and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) to assess the best methods of determining health status for PRRS, EP and Swine Dysentery.
Stage 2
Stage 2 is the action stage. Now that the mapping system is in place, and there are decision tools available, producers can start planning what they would like to achieve together and on their own units. We are still waiting for confirmation of funding support from Yorkshire Forward, however, even without monetary backing, this project can help improve the health of pigs across the region.
For example, cluster groups may want to consider coordinating slurry spreading in their area, building loading ramps, having seperate changing facilities and equipment for visitors, improving their cleaning and disinfectant routines, bird proofing pig pens and feed bins or making sure visiting vehicles dont enter livestock areas.
By forming cluster groups now, you and your neighbours will be in a strong position to access any available funding for health and biosecurity improvements on your units.
Please contact Helen Clarke - 07973 701369, or email helen.clarke@bpex.org.uk for help forming cluster groups and for more scheme information.