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McOrist and Done Report on Recent Visit to China

AASV members Dr. Steven McOrist and Dr. Stan Done recently visited several veterinary centers and farms in China. They provided the following article describing today's swine production in China and an update on the recent "pig fever" outbreaks.

China's swine production continues to move ahead in terms of consolidation, expertise and production levels. So-called commercial or intensive farms (defined as more than 50 sows per farm), which are basically the western pig farming model, are increasing in number and overall integration (breeder and feed suppliers, finisher contractors, etc). Numerous farms of 500 to 1,000 western-breed origin sows, with routine off-site finishing, are now established around the major cities.

Relatively high feed input prices are currently countered by good farm-gate prices. Current average cost of production (COP) in these commercial units is around US$ 0.95 per kg (US $0.43/lb) of liveweight pig, with 75% or more of that being feed costs. Current farm-gate prices in a major city like Guangzhou (Canton) are up to US$ 1.50 per kg (US $0.68/lb). Retail prices in a Guangzhou or other city supermarket are around US$ 2.50 per kg (US $1.14/lb) - China has low slaughter and distribution costs. However, because China has a very large number of farms and no imports, the inelastic demand has created several supply-led booms and busts. There is still a lack of data about the percentage of the overall market now taken up by "western" or pink pig pork and the amount retained by the 40 or so popular native pig meat breeds, such as Jinhua or Xiang breeds.

The outbreaks of Pig Fever were widespread in 2006 with numerous farms affected across several provinces. Anecdotal reports suggest at least 1 million pig deaths over the past year or more. Clinical signs were predominant in finishers and consisted of lethargy, reduced or loss of appetite, high fever and deaths, with occasional coughing only. Pigs and photos we examined also indicated generalized blue skin discoloration in some affected pigs. Diagnostic tests we assessed from reliable centers showed active PRRS and PCV-2 infections, with common secondary Pasteurella infections. Many of the affected farms were also positive for hog cholera (Classical Swine Fever) infections.

One likely situation is that a more acute and lethal form of PRRS, not unlike the previous SAMS outbreaks in the USA has now emerged in China, and this is the published suggestion of the Chinese authorities. It is also possible that "normal" PRDC and PCVAD outbreaks on affected farms had become complicated by active hog cholera.

Control was being attempted through increased PRRS vaccinations, but few other noteworthy suggestions were apparent. Swine-L viewers are urged to be vigilant for more lethal PRRS cases.