Swiss pig production

Farming techniques in the Swiss pig production industry are subject to strict animal welfare requirements. Group-housing systems for pregnant sows, free farrowing and solely anaesthetised castration are some examples which have been prescribed for all Swiss farms in recent years and which are also enforced in this way.

Free farrowing

In addition to an optimally designed farrowing pen for free farrowing, sow behaviour is also important because farrowing cages have been prohibited in Switzerland since 2007.

What is needed are especially calm, affable sows which rarely behave aggressively towards the farmer or towards their piglets, and which also crush as few piglets as possible.

Sows which cause increased losses due to crushing or biting are quickly withdrawn from the breeding program. In Switzerland, data on the piglet survival rate is also collected. It indicates the number of the piglets born alive which are also weaned as a percentage. The piglet survival rate has the highest importance in the total breeding value of the damlines. In the case of sows with increased suckling piglet losses (due to crushing or biting, for example), their own breeding value and that of their relatives decline. These animals are quickly taken out of the breeding program and produce fewer or no offspring at all..

Swiss Large White sows in particular are considered to be calm, even-tempered pigs and particularly suited to free farrowing.

Abferkelbucht

Piglet castration

Since 2010, piglets in Switzerland can only be castrated under anaesthesia. Inhalation anaesthesia with isoflurane has become widespread. Narcosis with isoflurane has been successfully used in human and veterinary medicine for many years. Today it is used for piglet castration in over 90 percent of Swiss pig breeding farms.

Livestock owners must first attend a theoretical course prior to carrying out castration by means of isoflurane. In addition, a briefing is carried out by the equipment manufacturer and the herd veterinarian at the farm.

Castration in each herd may only be carried out if the piglets are under 14 days old. Use of an analgesic is mandatory about 15 minutes prior to the anaesthetic procedure, since isoflurane only takes effect during castration and does not reduce postoperative pain.

Pig health service

Modern health management for the prevention of diseases and the eradication of pathogens promotes both animal and consumer protection as well as farm productivity. The consultants at SUISAG’s Swiss Pig Health Service (SUISAG SGD) are specialists and provide careful on-site assistance for problems at local farms to find the cause or to initiate suitable prophylactic and treatment measures – if necessary with partners. Each special visit is carried out in line with an approach which includes problem analysis, investigation and creation of a list of measures.

Klimamessung
Measurements of the climate and ventilation in pig pens

A good climate in the pig pen is the basis for healthy and top-performing pigs. With the help of technical devices (such as a thermal imaging camera and the measurement of corrosive gas), different climate values can be determined and faults detected.

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  1. Cold bridges – lead to: heat loss, cold lying surfaces, draughts
    Consequence: cannibalism or soiling of the lying surfaces
  2. Concentration of corrosive gas – excessive values lead to: respiratory problems, weakened immunity
    Consequence: weakened, diseased animals

The experts at SGD measure farm pen climate values in the course of the consultation and then show targeted improvement measures. Even small adjustments improve the well-being of the animals in the pen.

Trächtigkeitskontrolle
Fertility management

At farms which focus on piglet production, fertility management is of central importance for success in pig pens. In the case of emerging problems, such as protracted idle times of sows, return to service ratios or fertility disorders (e.g. abortions, stillbirths or lack of oestrus performance) our specialized veterinarians can offer advice and assist you in optimising fertility management.

Solutionse:

  • analysis of sow schedule dates
  • farm visit with analysis of insemination and fertility management (parameters: checks that the sows are on heat, insemination, feeding, pig pen and pen equipment, handling of animals) and ultrasound examination in the service area (discharge control, limitation of optimum insemination time, gestation diagnosis)
  • individual optimisation suggestions for improving fertility success
Homoöpathie
Complementary medicine

Complementary medicine as a supplement to conventional medicine has long been proven to support animals in critical situations and to stimulate their vitality. As part of a holistic farming concept, it is increasingly moving into pig herds. If correctly chosen and properly administered, it acts swiftly and reliably and can therefore be an important component of prophylaxis and therapy in breeding and finishing farms.

Modern health management on the farm is essential for keeping pigs healthy. Pig production in a controlled and healthy environment avoids both the introduction of pathogens and animal disease. Successful pig production on the market is only possible under stringent conditions of sanitary safety. SUISAG’s Pig Health Service works to achieve the best possible implementation of these goals throughout the entire pig breeding sector, from the producer across the supply chain to slaughterhouses and retailers.  

All farms participating in the basic program are awarded nationally recognised and protected Swiss Pig Health Service brand status, which, among other things, ensures the health of the herd.

 

Gruppenhaltung

The problematic use of antibiotics is a much-discussed issue in European pig production. By considering performance data gathered from farms, the aim is to reduce the use of antibiotics without performance degradation or conflicts with animal welfare.

Thanks to the detailed recording of the medication used in the electronic treatment journal and subsequent evaluations, targeted management improvements can be introduced at farms to reduce the use of antibiotics. The use of antibiotics can also be optimised by improving the choice of antibiotic choice and correcting incorrect dosages. The aim is to reduce the number of animals undergoing treatment. In order to avoid performance losses, performance data and changes in stock levels at farms are also electronically recorded and evaluated. The entire process of management optimisation is carefully tracked and assisted by Pig Health Service consultants.

Biosicherheit