Financial impact of PRRS in weaners

In a study by Polson (37) the financial impact of PRRS in sucking pigs (weaners) was evaluated using a partial budget model.

The basic cost assumptions are shown below. In Table 2, the impact of PRRSV infection and secondary agents in the sucking pigs (weaners) for a farrow-to-feeder farm are shown. The difference between affected and non-affected pigs ranged from US$0.73-18.21, depending on the changes in mortality and average daily gain.

Basic cost assumptions

  1. Baseline ADG = 363 gm/hd/day
  2. Baseline FCR = 1.75 kg feed/kg body weight gain
  3. Weight into nursery = 5.45 kg/hd
  4. Days on feed = 42 days
  5. Down-time/turn = 2 days
  6. Non-feed variable costs/pig = $ 1.00/pig
  7. Nursery feed cost/ton = $ 220/ton
  8. Sale price/kg = $ 2.09/kg
Table 2: Pay-off matrix of the impact of PRRS in nursery pigs for a farrow-to feeder pig farm (all values reported on a per head basis)
- 0.0 - 0.1 ADG - 0.3 ADG - 0.5 ADG
ADG Episode duration Episode duration Episode duration
% Deaths 2 wks 6 wks 2 wks 6 wks 2 wks 6 wks
No change 0.00 0.95 3.16 3.16 9.47 5.37 15.79
+ 2% 0.73 1.66 3.82 3.82 10.01 5.99 16.19
+ 7% 2.55 3.43 5.48 5.48 11.34 7.53 17.20
+ 12% 4.37 5.20 7.14 7.14 12.67 9.08 18.21

weaners