Antibiotic Use in Pork Production

The correct use of antibiotics will maximize food safety and minimize health risks.

Antibiotics to combat bacteria-caused infection are one of modern medicine’s greatest achievements. It would be a disaster beyond words if the effectiveness of antibiotics is jeopardized through irresponsible use. Recently, through the use of DNA testing, researchers have been able to prove the theory that the use of antibiotics in food animals may produce antibiotic resistance in human pathogens. The evidence is so compelling that at one meeting, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested banning all growth promotants used in food animals. These developments are of great concern to swine producers and the entire industry.

The scenario that is of the greatest concern to producers is this: An antibiotic is fed to swine at sub-therapeutic levels for an extended period of time. Bacteria such as Salmonella become resistant to the antibiotic over time. At slaughter, this bacteria gets into the food chain, and is consumed. A person becomes ill and does not respond to treatment with the same or related antibiotics fed to pigs due to this drug-resistance.

Already, some human infections are resistant to all currently available antibiotics. Also, some classes of antibiotics have been banned from use in food animals and reserved for use in humans. These factors put additional pressure on drug companies producing antibiotics for food animals. Eventually, there will be fewer antibiotics to use, and they will get more costly. The latest antibiotic releases, like pulmotil, are expensive and require a prescription known as a VFD (Veterinary Feed Directive) to be used. It is very likely that more regulations and restrictions will follow if we do not take responsibility now for the correct and prudent use of antibiotics in pork production.

So, what can producers do? Antibiotics are used to kill bacteria. When you employ management practices that lower the level of bacteria and reduce your disease risk, this will in turn reduce your reliance on antibiotics. Here are some suggestions:

BIOSECURITY - A good biosecurity plan will minimize the opportunities for disease entry. Cleaning and disinfecting within your facilities are your main internal biosecurity measures.

BREEDING SYSTEM - Use of a closed herd system will eliminate the main source of disease, live animals. An internal gilt replacement program will also insure that animals are acclimated from birth to reduce shedding.

REDUCE STRESS - AIAO pig flow and minimal pig movement will reduce stress. Providing good husbandry, including proper nutrition and vaccination programs, and a good environment will also minimize stress factors.

EDUCATION - Be sure that staff members are properly trained and understand all procedures completely. Everyone on the farm should be Level III PQA certified. Many producers have realized a savings of $2-3 per pig in health costs by using this program. The PQA certification process should include a complete investigation of all procedures used on the farm. Evaluate each animal health product and make sure it is needed and economical to use.

MONITOR ANTIBIOTIC USE - Make a list of all antibiotics used, and if used at a therapeutic or a growth promotant level, and whether it is an injectable. Then determine why each is being used, and if it is necessary as well as cost effective, or if another product might be better. Antibiotics should be used for proven clinical indications, and only at the appropriate dosage. Antibiotics should be used for as long as necessary to complete the full course, then discontinued.

THE FUTURE - In the future we may see animals that are genetically resistant to disease, but until then we must take action and implement a responsible plan for antibiotic use. Due to antibiotic-free restrictions by some packers, there are farms today that don’t use any antibiotics of any kind (even injectables) in the finisher. Every producer’s overall plan should have as their ultimate goal an antibiotic-free finisher.

Responsible antibiotic use will benefit producers, packers, consumers, and ultimately, our families.