AGP ban causes only minor problems in pigs
The AGP ban in the European Union does not have significant effects on the technical results for fattening pigs and sows.
This is the conclusion of the Dutch cooperation Agrifirm, having compared the results of 60 sow farms and 134,000 fattening pigs.
Agrifirm compared the technical results from January until June 2005 (before the ban) with the same period this year. The ban came into effect on January 1st, 2006.
Minor changes
The adjustments made in the sow and piglet feed showed minor changes in technical results, according to manager pigs Ben van Raaij. Only the pig loss was slightly higher than last year, from 1.5 to 1.6%.
“This may be due to the fact that we noticed an increase in piglets born alive with 0.2. It is unsure why the health costs are higher compared to last year. “More medicines may have been used,” Van Raaij said.
Growth decline
In addition, the results of 134,000 fattening pigs (from 215 groups) have been analysed in the period May until August 2005; these were compared to the same period this year. Van Raaij concludes a slight decline in growth.
The feed conversion rate dropped with 1%. Van Raaij expected a drop in 3-4% after the AGP ban.
Related website:
• Agrifirm
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