BY JACK HURLEY
MAUGANSVILLE, Md. - Local
swine producers gathered in
Maugansville on Tuesday for a
liver and lung show sponsored by
the Beacon Milling Company and
Martin’s Elevator.
Held in conjunction with Pfizer
Inc., the liver and lung demon
stration showcased the firm’s
Banminth/Mecadox feed sup
plements and featured presen
tations by veterinarians and
specialists on all phases of swine
production.
The liver and lung demon
stration was the culmination of a
28-day trial in which three groups,
containing three pigs each, were
fed rations containing different
combinations of wormers and
antibiotic supplements.
The test was supervised by Dr.
Jerome Harness of Franklin
Veterinary Associates, using pigs
and facilities provided by
producers Clair Miller and Dan
Clark of Williamsport, Maryland.
Following the posting of a pig
from each group, Dr. Homer
Connell, Pfizer research
veterinarian, examined the liver
and lungs of the animals and
discussed how worm migration
damages the organs.
Dr. Connell explained that an
tibacterial agents such as his
firm’s Mecadox have been shown
to be excellent growth promoters
in the absence of disease. This is
accomplished by increasing the
absorption of proteins, amino acids
and nitrogen, thus improving feed
efficiency, Connell noted.
Though Mecadox is a recognized
control for salmonella and
dysentery, Connell pointed out that
the drug will not cure or prevent
atrophic rhinitis. Since Mecadox
does permit pigs to grow even in
the presence of rhinitis, however,
Dr. Connell advocates occasional
slaughter checks to locate the
disease in its early stages.
On the subject of dysentery,
Connell underlined the importance
of controlling potential carrier
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Beacon, Martin’s hold swine meeti
animals around the hog operation.
The veterinarian pointed out that
dogs may carry the dysentery
organism for up to 13 days, and the
disease has been known to survive
in mice for more than 200 days.
Pigs, themselves, may carry
disentery for up to 70 days without
outward manifestation, he added.
After listing six types of worms
capable of causing trouble in a
swine operation, Connell stated
that roundworms are the biggest
offenders, accounting for 72 per
cent of the worm damage in hog
operations.
Connell reviewed the life cycle of
the round worm, stating that after
a pig swallows the eggs, the larva
hatch and penetrate the gut wall
where they enter the bloodstream
and travel to the liver. The feeding
larva cause tearing and bleeding in
the liver, resulting in an influx of
white blood cells and the formation
of scar tissue.
After a few days, the larva molt,
travel to the heart and then to the
lungs where the most severe
damage results. Once in
corporated into lung tissue, the
worms cause lesions which admit
bacteria.
Stressing the tenacity of the
roundworms, Dr. Connell stated
that a single female may lay up to
one million eggs a day, which can
survive for years away from a host
organism. Though swine kept on a
dirt lot will experience the most
severe infestations, Connell
cautioned that roundworm eggs
are found on slats, as well, and
even the most thorough washing
will not eliminate them entirely.
Speaking on the subject of swine
herd health management, Dr.
Jerome Harness stressed the
importance of preventive medicine
in increasing quality, efficiency
and profit.
Stating that pigs are prone to a
greater variety of diseases than
most farm animals, Dr. Harness
said that the farmer’s goal should
be to reduce disease, thereby
reducing drug usage necessary for
treatment.
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Two important management
techniques in a disease sur
veillance program are slaughter
checks performed at least twice a
year, and blood testing, Harness
said.
On the subject of herd additions,
the veterinarian urged farmers to
know what they are buying and to
quarantine new animals for 30
days. He urged farmers to
maintain a closed herd, if possible,
and added that artificial in
semination techniques may
facilitate this goal by providing the
necessary outside genetics without
the introduction of the animals
themselves.
Dr. Harness encouraged far
mers to schedule regular visits by
qualified veterinarians or swine
specialists in an effort to discover
and checkmate potential
problems.
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Dr. Homer Connell, (right) Pfizer research veterinarian, explains how worm migration
in swine damages the liver and lungs, and retards growth rate. Held in.Maugansville,
Maryland on Tuesday, the demonstration was part of a swine meeting staged by Beacon
Milling Company, and Martin's Elevator, in conjunction with Pfizer.
specialist, spoke at length on baby pig.
improving weaning weights and Points stressed concerning
identifying finishing inefficiencies, finishing included cleanliness of
Hodgson stressed the im- feeders, adequate water intake,
portance of record-keeping, proper ventilation and close at
stating that the producer needs to tention to pen densities. Hodgson
know his weaning weights and how recommended the use of snout
they compare to the average. The coolers and advised farmers to
following average weaning reduce the number of pigs per pen
weights were provided: 21-day during the summer months,
weight, 12 pounds: 28-day weight, The specialist encouraged
16.50 pounds; 35-day weight, 21 farmers to sell their hogs at the
pounds. proper weight, and to find a
In order to improve weaning market for pigs that are sub
weights, the specialist instructed standard,
farmers to pay attention to how “About two percent of those hogs
their sows are milking. aren’t going to do well, and the key
“The more frequently you feed is to identify them and sell them
that sow early in lactation, the right away,” Hodgson advised,
better off you’re going to be,” Hodgson concurred with the
Hodgson asserted, adding that speakers proceeding him on the
during the first week, sows should importance of a comprehensive
be fed four to six times daily. He record-keeping system,
said the daily amount should total “The producer needs to know
at least two pounds for the sow exactly what it costs him to
herself, plus one pound for each produce a pound of pork,” Hodgson
said.
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