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The following examples show just how much this virus may be costing you - not only in lost pigs but also increased medication, veterinary costs, more feed for the slower growing pigs and the mental trauma that the disease inflicts on the farm workers who face the effects of this disease daily.
United States
In the United States, mortality due to PCVAD has varied from 3% to 18%. Estimated cost of disease in these cases averaged between $3 to 4 per pig up to $20 per pig.1
In another study, costs related to PCV2 were estimated at $6.60 per pig in a U.S grow-finish unit.2
Central Iowa Case Study, 1999
A finishing unit in central Iowa provided the following records. Data was summarized by Darrell Neuberger, DVM, swine technical manager with Fort Dodge Animal Health.
- 4,000-head finishing site
- Managed all-in/all-out by building
- Pigs arrived from two sources
- Mortality through the nursery and from 40 to 200 pounds was 2%
- Mortality at close-out was 35%
- During the recording period in 1999, the farm lost about 1,400 pigs
- At that time, feeder pigs cost $60 and feed costs into the pig = $25
- Total direct cost of the losses was $85 per pig x 1,400 pigs = $119,000
- Lost profit from the sale of pigs was 1,400 pigs x 275 pounds x $27 per cwt = $103,950
- TOTAL FARM LOSSES = $229,950 or approximately $57.50 per head
Canada
Numbers for this example in Canadian dollars. |
Subtract the Risk: A Financial Example
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- Laval University study published in Porc Quebec magazine - Rejean LeBlanc3
- Financial example of a PMWS break in a 1,000-head grower-finisher barn
- Average weight at time of death from PMWS was 40 kg
- Market price: $166.00 per 100 kg, avg index: 109, carcass weight: 85.4 kg
- Feed costs: $56.35 per pig
- Increased medication costs: $1.00 per pig
- Other fixed costs: $25.84 per pig
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| Mortality |
3% |
8% |
30% |
| Revenue |
$ 150,794 |
$ 143,021 |
$ 108,821 |
| Purch. costs |
$ 57,821 |
$ 57,821 |
$ 57,821 |
| Fd costs |
$ 54,947 |
$ 52,608 |
$ 42,319 |
| Med.costs |
$ 1000 |
$ 2000 |
$ 2000 |
| Fixed costs |
$ 25,840 |
$ 25,840 |
$ 25,840 |
| Total Costs |
$ 139,608 |
$ 138,269 |
$ 127,908 |
| Profit |
$ 11,187 |
$ 4,752 |
$ -19,159 |
| Difference |
|
$ 7,733 |
$ 41,973 |
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Europe
- Analysis of grow-finish records from badly affected herds in Europe reveal a decreased wean-to-finish average daily gain of 220 to 320 grams per day
- Badly affected herds experienced a 5% reduction in average daily feed intake
- In these herds, average wean-to-finish mortality is 16-20%
According to a recent article, "The potential costs of a severe chronic form of PCV2 infection causing a 7% increase in mortality could be as much as $16.19 Euros per pig or US $21.37 (exchange rate: US$1.32 = 1 Euro). An approximate cost of PCV2 disease in finishers can be based on associated extra mortality and its effects on reducing growth rate and FCE. Even a mild form of the disease with a relatively low mortality of 1% can cause a reduced margin per pig of 2.31 Euros or US$3.05."5
The following case study from a UK herd4 in 2001 is an excellent example of the areas where PCVAD creates additional costs for pork producers.
- Breeding multiplication herd that was closed for 5 years
- High level of biosecurity farther than 1 mile away from other pigs
- Nearest infected herd was 2 miles away
- First symptoms appeared in 1 to 10 week-old pigs with mortality increasing from 1-4%
- Later symptoms appeared in 9-week-old pigs with mortality increasing from less than 2% up to 16%
- Overall herd average mortality went from 2.3% up to 13.7%
Associated costs during the period of increased mortality
- 13% fewer pigs sold
- Cost of feeding to 75 pounds remains (even if pigs die)
- Overhead costs spread over fewer pigs
- 15% slower growth rate (extra 20 days on feed)
- Increased vet costs
Extra cost per pig sold due to mortality = $10.25
Additional feed consumed = $5.50
Additional veterinary costs = $3.20
Extra disposal costs = $0.30
TOTAL extra costs = $19.25 per pig
References
1. Connor J. Economic impact and field experience with PCV. Paper presented at:
Fort Dodge Animal Health meeting; 2006; Ames, IA.
2. Gillespie T, Okones J, Edler R, Kolb J. Seasonally adjusted economic impact of PCV2 associated disease (PCVD) in a US grow/finish swine unit. Proceedings of the 19th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress, 2006. Copenhagen.
3. Leblanc R, Morin M, Messier S. The economic impact of PMWS. Porc Quebec 2005 Aug.
4. www.thepigsite.com
5. Burch, David. Costs of PCV2 Infection in Finishing Pigs and Potential Benefits of Vaccination. Pig International, March 2007.
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