Feed Back

1	'Feed back' may only allowable in some countries after written authorization from the Government because of Swine Fever controls
2	Feeback can be considered in three categories: Reproductive pathogens Use stillborn, mummified and placental materials Intestinal pathogens Use faeces from pigs weaned around 10 days ago and any diarrhoea/scour material in the farrowing area Respiratory pathogens Place a heavy rope in the nursery and allow the pigs around 25 kg to chew and play with the rope. After one week, move the rope into the gilt area and allow the gilts in isolation to play and chew on the rope
3	Twice weekly collect material
5	Gilts: Gilts should be given feed back twice weekly for two weeks starting 3 weeks prior to first service
5	Sows: Sows should receive feed back twice during pregnancy at 6 and again at 3 weeks pre farrowing
6	Feed back is not without it own risks. The idea of the material is to immunise the sow and gilt to on-farm pathogens, however, some pathogens do not require to be spread around the farm, i.e. salmonellosis or dysentery and if new diseases occur on the unit discuss your feed back regime with your vet
7	Always ensure that gilts are vaccinated against Parvo prior to their first service as feed back cannot be guaranteed to protect against Parvo

Feedback is an excellent method of ensuring that immunity to the background/endemic pathogens on the farm is maintained, particularly for incoming new stock – this should include home bred gilts. On multisite farms, feedback can not be moved between farms or units and this needs to be discussed with your veterinary advisors.

Feedback can be combined with tonsilar scrapes to provide good PRRSv and PCVII control.

The type of pathogens where feed back can assist their control:

Reproductive: Parvovirus, Enterovirus, Circovirus and other SMEDI viruses

Intestinal: Escherichia coli, Rotovirus, TGE, PED

Respiratory: PRRSv, PCVII

Other: – Streptococcus suis, Staphylococcus hyicus, Haemophilus parasuis.

What type of pathogen are we trying to control using feed back?

Feedback materials

	Stillborns, mummified and placenta. Diarrhoea from the farrowing house
Weaner faeces and scour from the farrowing area	Bedding from the farrowing area Tonsilar scrapes
	Heavy rope can be placed in the nursery pens and allow 25 kg nursery pigs to play with the rope for a week. The rope is then transferred to the gilt isolation area where again they will play with the rope and organism transfer will occur. If the nursery is negative to PRRSv, then select an area which is positive. This technique can be used between gilt batches for example.