Evaluation of deworming protocols in breeding herds using a survey and fecal examination

摘要

Internal parasites have been a problem in the US swine industry. The movement of pigs into confinement has significantly reduced the effects of internal parasites, yet it has been shown that even low level infestations can cause feed conversion to increase by 3-6%. Today, it is the goal of breeding herds to provide weaned piglets that are naive to internal parasites thereby decreasing the chances of worm infections in finisher hogs. This allows for better feed conversion and a faster growing, healthier pig when sent to market (Stewart and Hale; 1988). Hie objectives of this study were to gather information about current deworming strategies of breeding herds in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Iowa, evaluate protocol efficacy in creating a parasite naive piglet, and analyze the risk of an infestation entering the herd with new breeding stock.