Economic feasibility of interventions targeted at decreasing piglet perinatal and pre-weaning mortality across European countries

Abstract

Background Piglet perinatal and pre-weaning mortality is a welfare problem causing economic losses in pig production. In this study, the effects of housing and management interventions on the economic result of sow enterprises representing six European countries (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands and Spain) were tested. Interventions concerned: (1) installing mechanical ventilation, (2) re-designing of the gestation unit, (3) drying and warming newborn piglets, (4) providing enrichment for gestating sows, including high-fiber dietary supplementation and point-source objects, and (5) music provision and backscratching of sows in the farrowing unit. A bio-economic model was used to determine the effects of interventions on economic outcomes during the nursery phase and to calculate a maximum cost of 1%-point reduction in perinatal and pre-weaning mortality, irrespective of the intervention type. Biological parameters were set according to previous observational and experimental studies. Interventions 1–4 were expected to decrease perinatal mortality, defined as stillbirths and deaths occurring within the first 48 h of postnatal life. Intervention 5 was expected to decrease pre-weaning mortality. Interventions increased fixed (1–3) and variable costs (3–5). We hypothesized that housing and management interventions would have a positive economic effect. Results Piglet mortality can be decreased in various ways. Interventions concerning ventilation and re-designing of the gestation unit (1 and 2) were the most beneficial in countries with low housing costs and high perinatal mortality. Drying and warming newborn piglets (3) resulted in varying economic results, with the highest increase in profits obtained in a country with low labor costs and high litter size. Interventions providing sows with enrichment and human–animal interaction (4 and 5) were effective across varying conditions. Regardless of intervention type, policies aiming at 1%-point reduction in perinatal and pre-weaning mortality could cost from €0.2 to €0.5 (average €0.4) and from €0.4 to €0.5 (average €0.5) per piglet, respectively, depending on productions conditions. Conclusions To decrease piglet mortality, farmers should consider low input interventions, such as those targeting appropriate behavior. Our results suggest that providing enrichment or increasing human–animal interaction pays off and brings positive economic result even when piglet mortality is marginally reduced.

Effects of a Phytogenic Feed Additive on Redox Status, Blood Haematology, and Piglet Mortality in Primiparous Sows

“…Piglet perinatal and pre-weaning mortality is an important economic concern in pig production, causing serious losses between €12 and 23 per litter [21][22][23]100]. It is one of the key factors that produce piglets weaned per sow per year, which is used as an integrated measurement of reproductive performance in sow herds [26,101,102].…”

“…It is one of the key factors that produce piglets weaned per sow per year, which is used as an integrated measurement of reproductive performance in sow herds [26,101,102]. Furthermore, piglet perinatal and pre-weaning mortality may involve pain and/or suffering, which is considered a welfare issue [22,23,29,[31][32][33]. Therefore, the use of PFA in sows during the perinatal period could have an important economic impact on pig production, leading to a reduction in losses due to piglet perinatal and pre-weaning mortality.…”

“…Piglet perinatal and pre-weaning mortality is an economic, welfare and environmental concern [21][22][23]. Piglet pre-weaning mortality is a major economic and welfare issue in pig production, varying between 10.7% and 15.3% [24,25].…”

Editorial: Feeding and nutritional strategies for sows and piglets to improve piglets' robustness

“…Editorial on the Research Topic Feeding and nutritional strategies for sows and piglets to improve piglets' robustness Piglet mortality and morbidity during the pre-and post-weaning periods are still a big issue for the swine industry, causing economic and ethical concerns for farmers and consumers (1). The low robustness of young piglets has been attributed to several factors, such as the immaturity of the digestive and immune systems in early life; the use of hyperprolific sows' lines, with an increased number of low-body weight piglets and decreased capacity of the sows to wean all piglets; and management practices to improve sows' welfare.…”