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Newly reported research from Germany tracked the effectiveness of using modified live PRRS vaccination in both a 6000-head finishing operation and a 1300-sow farrow-to-finish operation over a period of up to two years.

Both operations, according to swine veterinarian H. Grunert, were infected not only with PRRS but also with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Grunert tracked production data on the two farms for a period starting 12 months before vaccination with MLV PRRS vaccine (Ingelvac^® PRRS MLV) and continuing up to 24 months after vaccination. Depending on the data collected, he then evaluated the herds for mortality, average daily gain, lung lesions at slaughter related to M. hyo., and APP, plus pre- and post-vaccination medication costs in the farrow-to-finish herd.

The finishing operation purchased piglets at about 60 pounds from a single farrowing operation. The farrow-to-finish operation began as a genetic multiplier farm, but because of an APP outbreak then changed status to a farrow-to-finish farm at the beginning of 1997. APP problems were mainly seen in the nursery, and even after implementation of autogenous APP vaccination, medication costs for the treatment of respiratory problems were still very high, Grunert reported.

After vaccination against PRRS, losses in the finishing operation decreased to a low of 2.3%, and average daily gain increased by as much as 0.28 pounds (figure 4.) The percentage of slaughter pigs showing lung lesions related to M. hyo and APP dropped sharply, and the degree of lung involvement was also reduced.

In the farrowing operation, nursery death loss dropped to as low as 1.8% (figure 5.) Plus, medication costs to control respiratory disease decreased 74% to 90% compared to the costs before vaccination.

To more information

Long term field evaluation of Ingelvac^® PRRS MLV against respiratory disease in fattening pigs. Grunert H. Proceedings Third International PRRS and Aujeszky Disease Symposium, June 23-24, 1999. pp 265-266.

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