Transcript PRRSv Experiences

A View of the Chinese
Swine Industry
L.D. Firkins, DVM, MS, MBA
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Illinois
State of the Industry
– Majority of large farms are expanding
• Shortage of pork
• Pressure for inexpensive pork
– Industrialization of production
• Joint Ventures
– Capitalism vs. Communism
Background Information on China
• Apparent limitless supply of eager and hard
working labor for farms
• Major investment is being made into
infrastructure
• Projected to continue for next 10-15 years
• Reluctance of industry to be dependent on
foreign interests
Scope of Chinese Swine Industry
• Chinese Swine Industry produces over half of
the global pork output:
– 600 million head: Ministry of Agriculture
– 550 million head: National Statistical Bureau
• 2007: $4.1 billion in US soybean imports
• Competitive cost of production
– Low cost for labor & facilities
Growth of Chinese Swine Industry
• 1.3 B people with 8-10% GDP growth,
consequently increasing per capita income
and desire to improve their diet
• Pork is #1 meat consumed
Marketing of Pork
• There are no measures taken at slaughter
except weight
• Vast majority of pork sold as fresh
• Hong Kong market most profitable
– Quota system to fill the needs of this market
Disease Challenges
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PRRS
Porcine Circovirus
Pseudorabies
Foot and Mouth Disease
Hog Cholera
H. parasuis
Enteric pathogens
Porcine High Fever Disease
• Reports of 400,000 to 100 million deaths
• One estimate was that production was
decreased by 9%
• Shortages of pork at retail level with a
tremendous increase in price
Health Challenges
• Some commercial PCV2 vaccines are available in
China
• Effectiveness is questionable and does not appear to be as
effective as here in the US
• Use of tissue extract vaccines taking place for PCV2
and PRRS
• HCV and FMD vaccination mandatory
• Increase incidence of H. parasuis outbreaks being
reported
Health Challenges
• Lack of diagnostic lab system with quality
control throughout the country
• Lack of veterinary services
Health Challenges
• Farrow to finish single site makes disease
control very difficult
• Lack of isolation of incoming stock
• Solid concrete flooring increases incidence of
enteric disease
• Lack of any coordinated efforts towards
improving health
Future of Chinese Industry
• Production increases as industrialization of
industry shifts production from backyard
farms to scaled production units
• Adoption of technologies – pig flow
• Need to improve health issues
• Independence vs. strategic imports
– Breeding stock and soybeans
• Global economic challenges