Practical ideas for weaning - diary dates

The BPEX 2TS Focus on Weaning event is being held in March in three locations:

Monday 19 March Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester
Tuesday 20 March Diss Rugby Club
Wednesday 21 March Wetherby Racecourse

Local producers will speak about how they help get their weaned piglets off to a good start and industry experts will discuss appropriate use of antimicrobials, piglet physiology and nutrition – with plenty of practical ideas to take back to the farm. The afternoon will be rounded off with an interactive quiz.

To save a place at their regional event, producers can email clancy.smith@bpex.ahdb.org.uk or telephone 0247 647 8792. A full programme and registration details will be sent in the post and available online soon at www.2TS.org.uk

The closing date for registration is Monday 12 March 2012.
Attendance is free for producers. There is a charge of £20 plus VAT per delegate for non-producers. Students will receive a 50% discount.

Finishers - are you ready for a challenge?

A few pig finishers have already said they want to join in our 2TS Finisher Challlenge this year. BPEX has challenged English producers to see how much further they can improve growing pig production by October this year.
If you've heard about it and are curious about what is actually involved, contact one of us in the BPEX knowledge transfer (KT) team to find out more. Then you just need say you are ready to go for it and we'll take it from there.

We will help identify areas of ‘lost potential’ and find ways to fine tune your system. It does not matter what type of finishing system or what the starting point is – the challenge is open to all finishing and contract finishing pig units in England.The goal is to improve performance in the growing pig herd to help the industry reach the two-tonne sow target and increase profitability.
We know that, with an improved focus and often small management changes, a big difference in production can be made. We’ll be providing support throughout the challenge, particularly with performance data records and how to make best use of them.We’d like pig finishers to get in touch as quickly as possible – we’re excited to see what can be achieved by October 2012!There will also be prizes for ‘most improved production’.
Click here for contact details.

Countdown to compulsory electronic pig movement

The countdown is on to when the eAML2 pig movement system becomes compulsory at the beginning of April 2012 in England and Wales.

There is a BPEX Live online workshop on Monday 30 January at 7pm to demonstrate how to get started with the system and answer questions. Producers can register for the workshop and join in from their home or office here.

To be legal, pig movements must be reported through the eAML2 system from April by either setting up the movement online or by contacting the eAML2 Bureau Service. There will also be third party providers such as the British Pig Association or marketing groups.

The current carbon copy AML2 paper form will stop being a valid form of pig movement reporting.

The eAML2 system is already being used for movements of pigs to abattoirs, farms auction markets, movements via collection centre and shows. All pig keepers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the electronic system ready for April and register with the service.

To register for eAML2 visit http://www.eaml2.org.uk/ and click on ‘Producer registration’ or call the eAML2 bureau service on 0844 335 8400 or fax to 02476 692 405. There are also ‘quick start’ guides available online.

Giving sows a rest post-service

A few different things have been tried out on farm following the Stockman Development North training session on service management.
When we re-capped on the topic at our most recent session, stockmen said:
- sows are now rested for 20 mins after service, with boar contact
- service house design is being improved on one unit by building an extension
- they went home and checked lights and water etc to minimise causes of anoestrus
- they were considering doing an oestrus plan to help improve heat detection / time of service for optimal numbers born alive.
Breeding companies ACMC and JSR then joined the group, to explain more about the work that goes on before good quality semen, gilts or boars arrive on farm. It is important to manage these products well on farm to get the most from them and minimise costs to the business.

Think like a pig

Alan Stewart from Harper Adams was viewing the world through the eyes of a pig at the Shropshire Pig Club, led by Miriam Parker MBE, LivestockWise Ltd.

Miriam got the group to think like a pig to help producers develop handling systems that keep pigs in their ‘comfort zone’ and are less stressful to both the animal and handler.

She discussed ways to reduce or make handling easier when moving pigs around the unit, including using weighing systems. Producers should walk the route and think like a pig to try and identify areas that will stop the pigs moving forward eg:

• drains, objects or chains to explore
• sharp bends
• poor lighting – either too bright or too dark

One of the producers said afterwards, “I will be reviewing the way I load my pigs!”

There is more information in BPEX Work Instruction 7: Loading and unloading pigs, available from: www.bpex.org.uk/publications/WorkInstructions.aspx

Split suckling explained

We've just added a new video to the BPEX website which shows Tom Lloyd from the Hartpury College Pig Unit demonstrating split suckling and explaining the suckling pattern on the unit.
Split suckling takes Tom about 10 minutes per suckling shift to sort out the litters and the benefits he has seen include:

• Piglets receive a good intake of colostrum


• Mortality is reduced


• Good for staff morale

Watch the video and listen to Tom explaining the system by clicking here.

100 producers hear about euthanasia

Two euthanasia workshops in Yorkshire drew in 100 pig producers to hear from Charlie Mason from the Humane Slaughter Association.

Charlie explained the different methods of euthanasia, best practice, the importance of cleaning and maintenance, and the legal and licensing requirements.

It was clear that this is a complicated area, so producers must follow the recommendations in the Pig Veterinary Society (PVS) booklet 'The Casualty Pig' when determining whether a sick or injured pig should be treated or euthanased. Euthanasia methods must be in accordance with the recommendations in the 'The Casualty Pig' booklet. Ask your vet for a copy or email: office@pigvetsoc.org.uk

Producers took away useful guidance notes and certificates of attendance, which are useful to have, as some of them had been asked by assurance scheme auditors if they had done any euthanasia training.

For further information about dispatching pigs on-farm please speak to your vet or contact
Charlie Mason: 07798 815527