Pig production systems

Organic pig production is a relatively new event in Denmark, and represents only about 0.2% of the total pig production. Current knowledge on technical, economic and welfare conditions relating to organic pig production systems is therefore very meagre. This lack of precise information is a limiting factor with regard to the establishment new herds of organic pigs. The following themes are considered to be very relevant in the research context:

• The significance of the feeding of roughages for growth, carcass quality, meat quality, and animal health and welfare
  
  
• The impact of endoparasites and pathogenic organisms on outdoor areas and animals
  
  
• The organisation of outdoor facilities, including herd size and stocking rate
  
  
• The influence of moving piglets to pig production systems on animal welfare, the risk of infection, and production economy
  
  
• The appropriate monitoring of health in relation to particular risks associated with organic production
  
  
• The identification of critical aspects of animal health, welfare and economy in organic pig production.
  
  

These questions are being examined by carrying out case-studies in existing private organic production systems (farm studies), and in experimental designs involving the herd at Rugballegaard research station. In the latter experiments the significance for animal production, behaviour and health of roughages, outdoor areas, the transfer of animals, and exposure to parasites, is being investigated in classical comparison studies. In the private farm studies, circumstances relating to production (soil, environmental conditions, fixtures, manure management, herd administration, health supervision, and choice of disease treatment), the production itself, and health and welfare are being monitored. As far as possible the same parameters are being used to describe production details at the private farms and Rugballegaard, although different degrees of detail are given for feed consumption, weight gain, carcass quality, clinical observations, laboratory findings, rooting behaviour and level of aggression. Using this approach it should be possible to evaluate the degree of generalisation of experimental investigations carried out under a given set of conditions, while strengthening the basis for planning experimental studies by incorporating the most relevant factors.

Summary
Publications

Project title
II.7 Pig production systems

Project leader
John E. Hermansen, Danish Institute of Agricultural Science, Department of Agricultural Systems, Research Centre Foulum, P.O. Box 50, DK 8830 Tjele
Tel: +45 8999 1203, Fax: +45 8999 1200
E-mail: JohnE.Hermansen@agrsci.dk

Project participants
Finn Møller, Viggo Danielsen, Laurits Lydehøj Hansen, Mette Vaarst, Anne Olsen, Lise Dybkjær, Vivi Aarestrup Larsen, Danish Institute of Agricultural Science
Børge Mortensen and Henrik B. Lauritsen, The Federation of Danish Pig Producers and Slaughter Houses
Anne Feenstra, Danish Veterinary Laboratory
Allan Roepstorff and Peter Hansen, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University