Risk assessment for organic swine health is the process of evaluating the likelihood and potential impact of various factors that may affect the health and well-being of organic swine. Risks associated with organic swine farming may differ to those associated with non-organic swine farming, and is of increasing relevance due to growth in the sector. While organic swine farming makes up a small share of U.S. swine farming overall, numbers have increased significantly in recent years. Additionally, non-certified organic swine herds are not accounted in official statistics. Consumer demand, stemming from the larger organic agriculture movement has helped spur growth in this industry.
Organic swine production prerequisites
Animals for slaughter must be raised under organic management from the last third of gestation. Producers are required to feed livestock agricultural feed products that are 100% organic, but may also provide allowed vitamin and mineral supplements.USDA-National Organic Program, 2013. Organic Livestock Requirements. USDA-AMS; In Europe, monogastrics must be fed with 95% organic feed until 31 December 2017. From first of January 2018, monogastrics will have to be fed 100% organic. Organically raised animals may not be given hormones or antibiotics in growth promotion Vaccines and other holistic forms of preventive management are allowed, so long as they fall within the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) guidelinesProducts List, Organic Livestock; 2013. Organic Materials Review Institute, 2013. http://www.omri.org/simple-opl-search/results/Livestock%20Feed%20Ingredients Producers are not allowed to withhold treatment from a sick or injured animal; yet animals treated with a prohibited medication may not be sold as organic All organically raised animals must have access to the outdoors; and conversely in colder climates access to indoors Swine and livestock can be confined temporarily for reasons of health, safety, the animal's stage of production, and soil and water quality protection Managed organically from the last third of gestation A description of the management practices and barriers established to prevent commingling of organic and non-organic animals in split operations with proper paperwork and list of substances used
Limitations for organic diets
Organic diets may include none of the following:
Genetically modified grain or grain by-productsUniversity of Minnesota Extension, 2002. Challenges in Feeding Organically Raised Pigs Antibiotics Artificial hormones Animal by-products Grain by-products unless produced from certified organic crops Chemically extracted feeds (such as solvent-extracted soybean meal) Synthetic amino acids
Swine production requires the use of a number of breeds, crossbreeding with both conventional breeding and artificial insemination utilized by producers.Van Diepen, Pauline, et al., 2007. Livestock breeds and Organic farming systems. Organic Center Wales. Breeds utilized by organic producers vary depending on the region, management system, and products in demand. Many larger farms will use common breeds such as, Duroc, Berkshire, or Chester White, while others will use exotic breeds for artisan meats, especially on European farms. The high biodiversity of organic farms provides many ecological services that enhance farm resilience to a large extent.Lammerts Van Buren, E.T., et al., 2011. The need to breed crop varieties suitable for organic farming, using wheat, tomato and broccoli as examples: A review. NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, Vol. 58, Pg. 193– 205 Integrated farming systems involving both crop and livestock production in a closed system can reduce financial risk for the producer, since organic producers generally receive premiums or higher prices for their products sold that cover and possibly reduce disease risk so long as there is no outside contact with other pigs or animals, such as cows, or poultry.
Common organic swine housing
Since the requirements of organic swine systems require outdoor access and greater space requirements per animal than conventional systems, breeds and breeding management are very important for producers. The environment (geographical location, housing, contact with other animals) of the animal is one of the most important determinants of disease risk and exposure for organic swine. Typical controlled animal feeding operation (CAFO) production is characterized by slatted flooring; no bedding, controlled feeding, and strict production sectioning and isolation between groups. Typical organic systems include the following:
Hoop house/ traditional barn system
Simple structures originally developed in Canada, built at low cost, approximately a US$4 reduction per pig. These structures allow for low-odor, high ventilation, but in colder temperate zones, hoop buildings present challenges for producers to overcome, including proper bedding and disease management.Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, 2012. Hog Production Systems, Page 3. SARE Nationwide Learning Center; <http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Bulletins/Profitable-Pork/Text-Version/Hog-Production-Systems/Hog-Production-Systems-Page-3> They are used by organic and conventional producers alike to manage large fluctuations of pig flow numbers for larger systems. Traditional barn structures, with access to both indoor and outdoor environments are also common systems for producers.
Pasture-based systems
Outdoor pig production has historical traditions, especially in Europe. Both the sows and finishing pigs are kept permanently on pasture, including during winter months for sows. The majority of growing or ‘feeder’ pigs are moved indoors for the fattening period, e.g. to a deep litter system.Thamsborg, S.M., et al., 1999. Integrated and biological control of parasites in organic and conventional production systems. Veterinary Parasitology No. 84 Pg. 169–186. Animals are more environmentally adapted to outdoor surroundings, as breeding and genetics play an important role. Additionally, a major difference between conventional, outdoor production and organic production is the high proportion of silage and roughage in the organic feed. Therefore, finding adequate protein and proper nutrition are often challenges for many farmers.
Forest based systems A third major system is a traditional forested or Mediterranean pastoral system. This involves indigenous and exotic breeds pastured in natural forests for the production of high-value cuts for restaurants or specialty foods. Furthermore, living semi-wild, all phases of production take place outdoors, sometimes in extreme conditions. Swine populations in this case are extremely low compared to world averages. Management is similar to pasture raised swine where animals will have less direct contact with humans with larger areas to roam and root. Finding adequate protein and proper nutrition are challenges, depending on the breed and environment and geographic location.
Common organic swine diseases
Organic livestock are not immune to diseases, and are likely to share the same overall disease statues with regard to contagious diseases at the national herd level.M. Hovi, J. Zastawny and S. Padel, 2004. Enhancing animal health security and food safety in organic livestock production. Proceedings of the 3rd SAFO Workshop. Sustaining Animal Health and Food Safety in Organic Farming, University of Reading. At all stages of the life cycle, animals may be exposed to diseases and in the case of organic swine, without the availability of normal industry drugs and prophylactic medication; as internal parasites are a large component of risk.Kouba, Maryline, 2003. Quality of organic animal products.Livestock Production Science Vol. 80, Pg. 33–40 Cross species exposure and contamination are direct concerns for many producers. Internal parasites and cohabitation of animals can lead to exposure, depending on local environment conditions and herd population. In fact, in a 2003 study from 31 organic chicken flocks sampled for bacterial pathogens, 13% were positive for Salmonella and 35% for campylobacter, as contact with other animals cited as the primary exposure route.Rodenburg, T.B., et, al., 2004. Campylobacter and Salmonella infections on organic broiler farms. Wageningen University and Research Centre, Lelystad, The Netherlands. Additionally, cross contamination on integrated livestock can be problematic, but is dependent on a multitude of variables, including density of the livestock operations, introduction of replacement breeding stock, sharing of facilities, etc. Pigs raised according to general organic certification requirements are as susceptible to diseases as conventional breeds, based on genetics, environment, and diet. Pork diseases vary widely based on localized region and country. Generally, organic production requires extensive management and can be more labor-intensive than conventional systems, where access to Many producers do give vaccines for E. coli, pseudorabies virus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, porcine parvovirus, and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae among others.QC Supply, 2013. Common Swine Diseases. Guides and Resources; <http://www.qcsupply.com/resources/common-hog-diseases.html> It is particularly important to tailor individual farm health security measures according to existing disease status of the swine stock, in order to guarantee financial sustainability of required investments.Stott, A. W., Lloyd, J., Humphry, R. W. and Gunn, G. J. (2003) A linear programming approach to estimate the economic impact of bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) at the whole-farm level in Scotland. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 59: 51-66.
In many European countries where certain diseases have not been detected, (PRRS, TGE, swine fever, etc.) vaccines are not usually given. In organic pig production, respiratory diseases and lameness have been cited as the most common health detriments, and depending on the location, a lesser prevalence exists conventional production.Bonde, M., and J.T. Sorensen, 2004. Herd health management in organic pig production using a quality assurance system based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. Department of Animal Health and Welfare, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences; Tjele, Denmark.Vaarst, M., A., et al., 2000. Animal health and welfare aspects of organic pig production. In: T. Alfoldi, W. Lockeretz & U. Niggli (Eds), Proceedings of the 13th International IFOAM Scientific Conference, 28–31 August 2000, Basel. VDF Hochschulverlag an der Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich, Zurich, P·373·