Abstract
The EU regulation for organic pig production requires outdoor access to promote the animal welfare. This may increase the risk of infection of the common pig parasites, Ascaris suum and Trichuris suis, because their eggs can survive for many years in the soil. The egg contamination of these parasites in outdoor areas with different managements and the faecal egg output from the pigs was investigated on 11 Swedish organic pig farms in 2008. We found eggs of A. suum and, to a minor extent, T. suis in the soil from outdoor areas, which had previously been used for pig rearing and/or for spreading of pig manure. Piglets and their dams were turned out on pastures included in a crop rotation, and these areas had a mean of 2500 A. suum and 40 T. suis eggs per kilogram soil. When the pigs were 12-week-old, the faecal egg counts (FECs) of A. suum were positively correlated with the egg concentration in pasture soils before pig turnout. The areas used by dry sows had a mean of 11,700 A. suum and 220 T. suis eggs per kilogram soil. The highest egg concentrations in the soil were found in areas, frequently used by pigs in the most recent years. To minimise pasture contamination with parasite eggs, it is advised to have a crop rotation system and to inactivate parasite eggs in pig manure before spreading it. Parasite control needs further development to protect suckling piglets from infections due to environmental parasite egg contamination.
Highlights
In conventional indoor pig production with indoor housing, very little or no access to bedding material, and regular prophylactic use of antiparasitic drugs, the impact of most pig helminths on pig health has been reduced (Nansen and Roepstorff 1999)
The present study demonstrated that eggs of both A. suum and T. suis were present in the soil of paddocks used for pig rearing and/or for spreading of pig manure
This is similar to data from five Danish organic pig farms, where the environmental contamination of A. suum eggs was assessed, and 75– 100% of pastures were egg positive for A. suum (Katakam et al 2016)
Summary
In conventional indoor pig production with indoor housing, very little or no access to bedding material, and regular prophylactic use of antiparasitic drugs, the impact of most pig helminths on pig health has been reduced (Nansen and Roepstorff 1999). Pig production systems are changing and excessive use of anthelmintic drugs (dewormers) may lead to selection of parasites that are drug resistant (Roepstorff et al 2011). The interest for organic pig production has increased in Europe over the last decades. The pigs are given increased space allowance, bedding material, and access to outdoor areas to promote natural behaviours and welfare. Controlled studies as well as practical experience on how to control parasite infections are important for the future of organic pig production (Roepstorff and Mejer 2001)
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