Báo cáo Nghiên cứu khoa học Some technical solutions suitable for development of smallholder pig production in Quang Tri and Thua Thien - Hue provinces

Collaboration for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) Program 100 SOME TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS SUITABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SMALLHOLDER PIG PRODUCTION IN QUANG TRI AND THUA THIEN - HUE PROVINCES Project title: A blueprint for sustainable smallholder pig production in Central Vietnam Code of the project: CARD 004/05 VIE Author(s): Duyen T.T.B.1, Do N.T.2, Linh N.Q.3, Darren T.4 et al Project Implementing organisations: 1 National Institute of Animal Husbandry (NIAH), Vietnam 2 National Institute of Veterinary Research (NIVR), Vietnam 3 Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, Vietnam 4 University of Queensland, Australia SUMMARY Mong Cai pigs are mainly kept in the rural households (80-90% of the local sow population) in two provinces of Thua Thien Hue and Quang Tri, where the climate is extremely harsh with frequent floods and droughts. Smallholder animal production with little capital and lack of knowledge and experience has hindered the application of new technical advances or new breeds with high performance. Under the funding of the project CARD-004/05-VIE, a study entitled "Some technical solutions suitable for development of smallholder pig production in Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue" has been carried out since 2008. The primary results showed that: - Breeding solution: The genetic improvement of the local MC breeds was done by introduction of breeding Mong Cai pigs (boars and sows) from the northern provinces for pure breeding with local pigs. Results showed a significant increase in the number of piglets weaned per litter, ranging from 9.87 to 10.81 piglets between before and after the improvement, respectively. - Housing solutions: The type of house for sow considerably affects on the number of piglets weaned per litter and weight gain per day. The number of piglets weaned per litter in the new house style is 11.2 piglets while 8.2 piglets were found in the old house type. Average daily gain of 126.25 g was recorded in the new house type whereas it is 107 g in the old house type. - The technical solution: heating technique and training to eat early for piglet result in increasing number of piglets weaned per litter (10.8 piglets compared to 9.80 piglets) and shorten the weaning time of piglets from 45 days to 30-35 days of age as well as increase the number of litters per sow per year from 2 to 2.35 litters. - E. coli vaccine for the control of Colibacillosis in suckling pigs: recording data including piglets born alive, stillbirths, mummies or (died before parturition), deformities e.g. splay legs, abortion alive. There is significant difference between vaccinated and control groups (P<0.05). Particularly, the prevalence of piglets with diarrhoea in the first 3 weeks of life from vaccinated group were significant lower compared to control group (P<0.05). - A profit per sow per year in the group of sows involved in the project is higher than that in the remaining group (1,162,045 VND compared to 372,663 VND, respectively). Conclusion: The application of comprehensive technical solutions in the MC pig production in the smallholder farmers leads to increase the productivity of the sow and brings high economic efficiency for them. Keywords: Mong Cai pigs, pig breeding, Mong Cai pig husbandry technology, housing design. Duyen T.T.B., Darren T., Do N.T. & Linh N.Q. 101 1. Introduction Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue provinces are located in the South Central Coast of Vietnam. They are always influenced by the harsh climate throughout the year. The soil slopes and is always eroded by floods, and droughts occur frequently. Pig production is mainly based on smallholder farmers with little capital and lack of husbandry knowledge. Mong Cai pigs are raised mainly in the smallholder farmers. 80-90% of the total sow population are kept for breeding resources purpose. These breeding pigs, however, have low reproductive performance. This is due to many causes, one of which is high level of inbreeding. Introgression of high performance and healthy Mong Cai pigs into the local MC pigs to improve their genetic potential is effective in the breeding program. In addition, the knowledge and skills in husbandry technology, hygiene and disease prevention, management and environmental protection should be enhanced to support the smallholder farmers. Application research of advanced technology solution appropriate to local economic – social conditions is necessary and needs urgent attention. Under the financial support of the project CARD-004/05-VIE, we conducted the study entitled "Some technical solutions suitable for development of smallholder pig production in Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue”. The main objective of the project is to increase reproductive performance of Mong Cai sow stock and economic efficiency for smallholder farmers. In addition, the project contribute to the development of genetic resources of local pure Mong Cai pigs in the central coastal region. 2. Contents and methodology 2.1 Study populations The study was carried out in two provinces of Quang tri and Thua Thien Hue. In Quang Tri province, two communes of Hai Phu and Hai Thuong, which belongs to Hai Lang district, was selected. In Thua Thien Hue province, Quang An and Quang Tho communes of Hai Lang district was included. Pure Mong Cai breeding sows (MC) kept in the smallholder farmers of these four communes were used for this study. 2.2 Research contents and methodology 2.2.1 Improvement of performance of the local MC pigs by pure breeding program o Introgression the MC breeding sows / males collected from the Northern provinces into the MC male / sow kept in the study areas. o To monitor and evaluate the productivity of the MC pig stocks 2.2.2 Study on the effect of house type and nestbox to reproductive performance of sows and growth of piglets o Influence of house type: - New house type: The pig house was separated from the kitchen. The pig house was upgraded with 4 roofs (designed by experts of the CARD project). - Old house type: The pig house located in or near the kitchen with the phibro cement or tole roof of poor ventilation. o Effect of nestboxes to the number of piglets weaned and the growth ability of piglets - A total of 20 MC sows was selected and randomly divided into two groups (10 sows per group). Experimental group was supplied a nestbox (designed by Project CARD) to protect young piglets from cold weather and the control group was not provided the nestbox. - Temperature, humidity and heat index (HI) of all pig houses were daily measured in both groups by using the measuring machine "Pocket Weather Tracker (Kestrel 4000)." - Duyen T.T.B., Darren T., Do N.T. & Linh N.Q. 102 2.2.3 Application research of the E. coli vaccines in preventing the diarrhoea disease in pigs during 10 days of age o Identification the cause of diarrhoea: faecal samples were obtained from suckling piglets with diarrhoea. All samples were tested for the presence of TGE, Rota, E. coli K99 by ELISA test; E. coli, Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens by isolation and confirmation tests; Cocci oocysts by standard faecal flotation o Safety and efficacy testing of vaccine in a small scale trial: Pregnant sows each received intramuscularly 2 ml of vaccine (1st at 3-4 weeks before farrowing; 2nd at 2-3 weeks before farrowing). o Piglets born from vaccinated and unvaccinated sows were recorded for the following data: piglets born alive, stillbirths, mummies or (died before parturition), deformities e.g. splay legs, abortion, number of piglets with diarrhoea (week 1, 2 3). 2.3.4 Evaluation of application efficiency in the alignment of all solutions o Economic efficiency: Analysis of finance of each part and investment efficiency, i.e., total cost / litter, total income / litter and profits / litter. Statistical analysis: The data was analysed based on statistical method in biology using the Minitab program version 13.0. 3. Results and discussions 3.1 Improvement of productivity of the local MC pig by pure breeding program To assess the effectiveness of this work, we compared the performance of the MC pigs before and after pure breeding program. The results are presented in Table 1. The objective of the project is to increase the litter size from 11 piglets before the pure breeding program to 11.50 piglets after the pure breeding program. However, the litter size of 11.43 piglets was obtained in this study which increases by only 0.33 piglet compared to the litter size before the pure breeding program. This limitation could be due to the impact of the Blue Ear disease which has affected the productivity of pigs. Although statistically they are no significant difference (P> 0.05), but in fact the litter size of MC pig has been raised. Compared to the previous reports, this result is higher than the result of Nguyen Que Coi et al. (2005) and lower than the results of Le Van Sang et al (2008) who found that the litter size is 11.07 piglets and 11.92 piglets, respectively. Table 1: Comparison of performance of the Mong Cai sow stock before and after the pure breeding program Criteria Before After n X SD n X SD Litter size (piglet) 128 11.10a 1.77 193 11.43a 2.47 The number of piglets born alive/litter 128 10.73a 1.60 193 11.09a 2.50 Body weights at birth (kg) 128 6.23a 0.94 193 6.70a 1.74 Number of piglets to rear / litter (piglet) 128 10.17a 1.32 193 10.97b 2.22 Number of piglets weaned/ litter (piglet) 128 9.87a 1.22 193 10.81b 2.11 Weaning weight (kg) 128 57.67 12.76 193 53.74 14.71 Weaning time (day) 128 42.50 5.37 193 37.24 8.41 a,b: P <0.05; 0.01 CARD 004/05 VIE – Improvement of pig production in Central Vietnam 103 Figures 1&2. High performance Pure Mong Cai replacement gilts approaching target weight to be artificially inseminated with exotic boar semen Litter size is important criteria in the breeding sow production. The number of piglets born alive/litter has increased from 10.73 before the pure breeding program to 11.09 piglets after the pure breeding program. This increase was not significant difference (P > 0.05). This study is in agreement with the finding of 11.03 piglets reported by Tuyen et al. (2008) but higher than the report of 10.12 piglets in the study of Tiep et al. (2009). Number of piglets to rear/litter highly depends on the number of piglets born alive/litter and the quality of piglets born. The difference on the number of piglets to rear/litter between before and after the pure breeding program (10.17 and 10.97 piglets, respectively) is statistically significant (P <0.05). The number of piglets weaned is the most important criterion for assessing the productivity of sows. Results showed that the number of piglets weaned found after pure breeding program is very high compared to that before the program (10.81 piglets vs. 9.87 piglets). This finding is higher than the recent reports of 9.54 and 9.61 piglets in the studies of Sang et al. (2008) and Tuyen et al (2008), respectively. Body weight at birth is directly influenced by the number of piglets born alive. Variation of this indicator before and after the program is 6.23 kg and 6.70 kg, respectively (P> 0, 05). This result is higher than the report of Thien et al (1999) who reported that the body weight at birth is 6.09 kg. Weaning weight/litter of the two groups before and after the program is 57.67 kg and 53.74 kg, respectively. This difference is essentially due to differences in weaning time (42.50 and 37.24 days, respectively) but not statistically significant (P> 0.05). The weaning weight is highly influenced by the number of piglets weaned and the weaning time. This result is in agreement with results of Thien et al (1999) who reported that the weaning weight varied from 51.10 kg to 54.77 kg. Comments: The above results show that the pure breeding program between MC pig groups to improve genetics of the local MC has brought great efficiency. Reproductive performance of sows has increased. Although it is not statistically significant (P> 0.05), in terms of practical production, this rise is extremely important. Specially, increase in the number of piglets weaned is significantly different (P <0.05). 3.2 Effect of house type and nestbox on reproductive performance of sows and growth of piglets 3.2.1 Effect of house type on reproductive performance of sows  The environmental factors in the house Duyen T.T.B., Darren T., Do N.T. & Linh N.Q. 104 Table 2. Temperature, humidity and wind speed in the new and old house type Factor n Old house type New house type X ± SD X ± SD Temperature (0C) Temperature 30 22.19 a ± 4.51 25.62b ± 2.72 Heating index (HI) 30 19.58a ± 5.51 23.2b ± 2.07 Humidity (%) 30 89,9 a ± 7.13 81.9b ± 5.04 Wind speed (m/second) 30 0.1 0.2 a,b: P<0.05; 0.01 Temperature, HI and humidity of the new house type and old house type are significantly different (P <0.05). This indicates that improvement of the house results in lower temperature and more ventilation in the house.  The impact of house types to the reproductive performance of sows Table 3 shows that although the number of piglets born live/litter between the two types of new and old house is not statistically different, there is significant increase (P <0.001) in number of piglets weaned /litter of the type raised in the new house, suggesting that this indicator has been enhanced by improvements of micro-climates in the new house style while using the box for piglet learn how to eat and heat lamps for piglets. Our results are lower than the findings of some authors such as Duyet (2006) and Duong (1999). The reason could be due to the influence of blue ear disease occurred in the areas. Table 3. Productivity of sows raised in the new house type and the old house type Criteria n (litter) New house type New house type X ± SD X ± SD The number of piglets born alive/litter 12 10.47 ± 1.53 11.12 ± 2.57 The number of piglets weaned /litter 12 8.2 ± 2.16a 9.25 ± 1.22b Weight gain per day (g/day) 12 107 ± 15.42a 126.25 ± 19.50b Disease infected (n) 12 2.53 ± 1.33 1.33 ± 1.75 a,b: P<0.05; 0.01 Fig 3. Old house type. Bedding was manually removed using brooms Fig 4. New house type with more ventilation CARD 004/05 VIE – Improvement of pig production in Central Vietnam 105 There is significant differences (P <0.01) on weight gain per day before weaning of piglets in the two groups of sows which are kept in two types of house (107 g/day in an old house compared to 126.25 g /day in the new house style). Number of litter have infected the Diarrhea disease between two types of houses are different but there is no statistically significant. However, during experiment, it is very cold and this hard weather is longer than the previous years. In the new house, piglets were kept in house with better climate temperature and humidity. 3.2.2 Effect of nestbox on reproductive performance of sows and growth of piglets Table 4. Temperature, humidity and heat index of the control and experimental group Indicator Unit Control (n = 10) Experiment (n = 10) P μ ± SE μ ± SE Temperature Morning oC 24.7 ± 0.51 26.0 ± 0.14 0.02 Noon oC 27.5 ± 0.12 28.4 ± 0.14 0.01 Afternoon oC 25.6 ± 0.11 26.8 ± 0.12 0.01 Humidity Morning % 92.0 ± 0.13 88.5 ± 0.59 0.01 Noon % 83.9 ± 0.24 80.1 ± 0.34 0.01 Afternoon % 89.0 ± 0.15 85.8 ± 0.29 0.01 Heat index (HI) Morning oC 27.3 ± 0.18 28.8 ± 0.24 0.01 Noon oC 35.1 ± 1.37 34.1 ± 0.35 0.63 Afternoon oC 29.9 ± 0.23 32.6 ± 1.56 0.02 The results in Table 4 indicates that the nestbox significantly improves environment for the newborn piglets (P<0.01). In the cold and wet winter in the central areas (the experimental group was kept in warmer temperature, lower humidity which is more suitable for the piglets than the control group). In order to assess influence of nestbox on reproductive performance of the MC sow kept in the smallholder farmers, we monitored the reproduction criteria of the sows. The results are presented in Table 5. Fig 5&6. Suckling piglets warding off winter ‘chill’ in a creep box Duyen T.T.B., Darren T., Do N.T. & Linh N.Q. 106 Table 5. Reproductive performance of the MC sows in the control and experimental groups No Criteria Unit Control (µ±SE) Experiment (µ±SE) P 1 Litter size piglet/ litter 10.5±0.48 11.6±0.40 0.87 2 Number of piglet weaned piglet/ litter 9.80±0.20 10.8±0.39 0.03 3 Body weight at birth/piglet Kg 0.68±0.01 0.68±0.01 1.0 4 Weaning weight/piglet Kg 7.07±0.09 8.30±0.07 0.01 8 Total weaning weight Kg /litter 69.3±1.78 88.9±2.72 0.01 9 Feed consumption to produce 1kg of weaning piglet Kg TA/kg LW 5.38±0.11 4.31±0.09 0.01 Table 5 shows that the litter size and weight at birth is no difference between the two groups (P> 0.05), but number of piglets weaned, weaning weight and feed consumption to produce one kg of weaned pigs have significant differences between two groups (p <0.05 - 0.01). That means the use of nestbox for the piglet at the newborn period have provided a favorable environment for piglets (avoiding heat stress after birth for piglets, providing warm and dry environment for newborn piglet which results in the lowest heat loss of piglets). Farrowed sow are cool and increase intake, milk production as well as improve the economic efficiency. Comments: The new house type designed by the CARD project improves productivity of the MC sows. Their separation from the house of the farmers contributes to reduce environmental pollution. Use of nestbox prevents heat stress for the piglets after birth (dry clean, warm, low humidity), health promotion and growth rate for pigs nursing. In addition, different requirement on temperature between farrowed sows and piglets are solved. 3.3 Application of E. coli vaccine for the control of colibacillosis in suckling pigs Results of investigation on some of the most common pathogens causing diarrhoea in piglets in Quang Tri and Thua Thien - Hue before vaccine trial are shown in Table 6. It is shown that: Rota and TGE viruses are among the most common pathogens (78.16% and 65.52%); next by parasites (Isospora suis 28.84%, Cryptospridium 14.94%) and bacteria (E. coli 35.63%, C. perfringens 12.64%). These findings are in consistent with some previous reports (Do et al, 2006). Table 6. Results on detection of some most common pathogens Pathogen Result No. of positive samples/Total % Rotavirus 68 78.16 TGE virus 57 65.52 Isospora suis 25 28.84 Cryptospridium 13 14.94 E. coli 31 35.63 C. perfringens 11 12.64 Results on health status of piglets born from vaccinated and non-vaccinated sows are shown in Table 7. Duyen T.T.B., Darren T., Do N.T. & Linh N.Q. 107 Table 7. Recorded criteria from vaccinated and unvaccinated sows Criteria Vaccinated group (n=159) Control (Unvaccinated) group (n=14) Piglets born alive (piglets/sow) 11.31 10.51 Stillbirths (piglets/sow) 0.19 0.37 Mummies (piglets/sow) 0.09 0.14 Deformities e.g. splay legs (piglets/sow) 0.02 0.15 Abortion (piglets/sow) 0 0.001 Prevalence of diarrhoea (%): - Week 1: - Week 2: - Week 3: 16.1 22.7 26.5 48.1 33.8 37.5 It is shown that there are significant differences on the numbers of piglets born alive, stillbirths, mummies or (died before parturition), deformities e.g. splay legs, abortion between the two groups (P<0.05). Particularly, the prevalence of diarrhoea piglets among the first 3 weeks of life was lower in vaccinated group compared to control group (P<0.05). Results on examination of faecal samples from diarrhoea piglets born from vaccinated and unvaccinated (control) sows, once again show very interesting findings (Table 8). TGEV, RV and Cocci prevalence were not significantly different between vaccinated or non- vaccinated groups; C. perfringens was only found in non-vaccinated group. None of the E. coli isolates obtained from vaccinated group possessed toxin genes, whilst the E. coli strains isolated from the non-vaccinated group all still carried STa, STb and/or LT toxin genes. This study demonstrated that the implementation of locally produced E. coli vaccine, not only reduced the prevalence of pre-weaning diarrhoea, but also may suppress the presence of toxigenic E. coli strains in the gut of piglets. Table 8. Summary of faecal examination from piglets with diarrhoea Pathogens Results (No. of positive samples; %) Vaccinated group (n=29) Control (n=8) Rotavirus 17 (58.62) 8 (87.50) TGE virus 18 (62.07) 6 (75.00) Isospora suis 10 (34.48) 3 (37.50) Cryptospridium 3 (10.34) 1 (12.50) E. coli 8 (27.59) 6 (75.00) C. perfringens 0 (0) 3 (37.50) 3.4 Evaluation of applying technical solutions In 2009, cessation of the PRRS epidemic and stable pig prices coincided with major advancements in farmers’ knowledge and skills base so that it was possible, through accurate record keeping to determine the number of pigs sold/sow/year. The majority of farmers sold their weaners at 6-8 weeks of age at 25,000-30,000 VND/kg. A final survey of randomly selected control and demonstration farms was completed in Dec-Feb 2009 with 30 farms/each group. In addition a high priority intervention checklist Duyen T.T.B., Darren T., Do N.T. & Linh N.Q. 108 was submitted as an attachment with each electronic record. The results showed that in table 9. Table 9. Economical efficiency of sow raising/litter (VND) Criteria Control Project group 1. Production performance - Number piglet weaned/litter 9.09 ± 1.53 9.46 ± 0.98 - Weaning weight/litter at 45 day for the control group and 35 day for the project group 7.07 ± 1.38 7.05 ± 0.45 - Number litter/sow/year 2 2.3 2 Economical efficiency: (VND) - Input cost (VND/litter) Feed 1,285,326 1,067,088 Veterinary 130,000 100,000 Mating 30,000 20,000 Water and electric 100,000 100,000 Sow depreciation 100,000 100,000 In put total 1,645,326 1,387,088 - Output cost (VND/litter) Price of piglets at 37 - 45 days of age (VND/kg) 25,000 25,000 Income from piglets/litter 1,606,658 1,667,325 Income from faces and gas 200,000 200,000 Output/litter 1,831,658 1,892,325 3. Profit/litter 186,332 505,237 Profit/sow/year 372,663 1,162,045 Efficience/invested capital 8.830 2.745 Results in table above shows, the application of technical advances in MC pigs has increased the productivity of pigs. Compared with the control group, the project farms have number piglet weaned/litter higher (9.46 piglet vs 9.09 piglet) and number litter/sow/year is higher (2.3 vs 2 litter/sow/year), the reason is due to the piglets are weaned earlier leading to the suckling time will be shorter and reduce attrition rate of sow after weaning, return heating rate of sow will be increased, more stable income from selling pigs. Estimated economic efficiency through parameters such as total input/litter; Total output/litter showed that. Applying technical advances improved profit/sow/year in the project farms (1,162,045 VND vs 372,663 VND in the control farms). Overall, efficiency/invested capital in project farms was higher than in control farm. In the project farms in order to obtain 1000 VND profit needed to invest 2,7450 VND while needed to invest 8,830VND in the control farm. The best demonstration farms in Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue achieved 20-22 pigs sold/sow/year. The majority of piglets were of CARD 004/05 VIE – Improvement of pig production in Central Vietnam 109 uniform size with excellent growth rates. Poorly fed sows with chronic mange do not breed as well and need to be replaced whereas healthy high performance Mong Cai have higher conception, birth and weaning rates. In addition, the successful incorporation of biogas production for cooking, composting with earthworms, effluent disposal, integrated farming practices and overall increased knowledge and skills through being an active member of a Farmer Club, provided farmers with many intangible benefits and increased profits. By far the greatest benefit was prevention of preweaning diarrhoea by vaccination using the E. coli vaccine, treatment of 3-5 day-old piglets with a single treatment of toltrazuril for coccidiosis (Baycox) and provision of a clean, dry and warm creep area and eradication of mange. 4. Conclusions and recommendations o The application of comprehensive technical solutions on breed, pig housing, creepbox for piglet and vaccination E. coli vaccine for the control of Colibacillosis in suckling pigs in the MC pig production leads to increase the productivity of the MC sow especially the average number piglet weaned/litter was 9.46 piglets in the project farms vs 9.09 piglet in the control farms. The suckling time was reduced from 42 days to 37 days while the weaning weight/piglet was equivalent (7.07 vs 7.05 kg/piglet, respectively). Litter number/sow/year was also improved (2.35 vs 2 litter/sow/year, respectively). o Pig production under household condition in Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue with the application comprehensive technical solution was successful and brings high economic efficiency for them (1,162,045 VND vs 372,663 VND at the farms out of the project). o To replicate the model MC pigs with high economic efficiency after the project ends, it is necessary to connect the Mong Cai pig farmers under group form to share experiences, knowledge and achievements. References 1. Coi N.Q., Hoa D.V., Bien D.H. and Cam N.N., 2005. Some solution to development pig for meat purpose suitable with pig raising under household condition in Quang tri province. Science report, NIAH, 2005. 2. Do NT, Cu HP, Van TH, Nguyen XH, Au XT, Vu NQ, Fahy VA, Driesen SJ, Moore K, Vanderfeen A, and Trott DJ. 2006. Prevalence of the six most common infectious causes of pre-weaning diarrhoea in piglets in Vietnam. 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