- 1 minute, 28 seconds
- Expertise article
- Ingrid Messager, Aline Lefèbvre, Rémy Jagu
Background and Objectives
PRRS control remains a challenge and needs a whole herd approach to be successful. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of the "5-step" process, which has been develped by Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), to control PRRS in 6 French FF herds.
Materials and Methods
Six FF herds, with a confirmed circulation of PRRS virus, were included in this study. In each farm, the 5-step process has been followed and a specific action plan has been implemented including bioseciruty measures and MLV vaccination. All the herds were mass-vaccinated (sows eith Reprocyc PRRS EU and growing pigs with Ingelvac PRRSFLEX EU) twice, 4 weeks apart. Then, the breeding herd was mass vaccinated every 3 months and a batch vaccination was implemented on growing pigs, between 4 and 7 weeks of age. The PRRS status of each herd was evaluated according the AASV guidelines. The reproductive and growth performances were assessed by recording batch data.
Results
In most farms, the breeding herd remained positive and stable. One farm evolved from an 'instable' to a 'stable' status. Regarding the growing pigs, the status improved in most of the herds. Globally, the reproductive perofrmances improved with a significant increase of weaned piglets per sow in 5 farms. The growing performances improved as well with a significant increase of the wean to slaughter. Average Daily Gain (ADG) in 2 farms. The standard deviation for ADG was reduced in 5 farms.
Discussion and conclusion
This study showed the benefit of the implementation on the '5-step' approach in 6 FF farms. The whole herd vacination, with Reprocyc PRRS EU and Ingelvac PRRSFLEX®EU, and the implementation of biosecurity measures improved the reproductive and growing performances in most of the herds. In addition a decrease of the variability was observed allowing a more stable production.