Economic and Productive Impact of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea during Three Post-Infection Reproductive Cycles

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate the long-term productive and reproductive performance of a naïve group of sows infected with the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) and to calculate the cost per weaned piglet.

Design/Methodology/Approach: A repeated-measurement design was used to compare productive performance over a farrowing horizon. The analysis included five reproductive cycles: a) farrowing prior to the PEDv outbreak; b) farrowing during the PEDv; c) first post-PEDv farrowing; d) second post-PEDv farrowing; and e) third post-PEDv. farrowing A general cost formula was used to estimate the cost per weaned piglet.

Results: Significant differences were recorded between the number of weaned piglets and the non-productive days during the outbreak (P < 0.05). Prior to the PEDv, sows weaned an average of 10.55 piglets. This figure dropped to 3.49 during the outbreak. Over the next three post-PEDv farrowings, the average remained below 9.60 piglets. The first post-outbreak farrowing recorded a 0.62 increase in stillborn piglets. The cost per piglet before the outbreak reached USD $22.03; however, during the three subsequent farrowings the price per piglet after the outbreak was USD $23.82, USD $23.64, and USD $23.66, respectively.

Study Limitations/Implications: Understanding the production costs of PEDv enables the development of strategies to lessen its financial impact on farms. It also provides an effective guide for sow management that reduces the impact of this disease on productivity.

Findings/Conclusions: The analysis of the productivity and economic impact —which included a review of sow productivity— showed that the cost per weaned piglet remained high for at least three subsequent farrowings after the outbreak was controlled. As a result of the emergence of highly virulent strains in Asia and North America, PEDv remains a significant pathogen in pork production.