Video about the modular wooden barn, Part 1 (click here)

Video about the modular wooden barn, part 2 (click here)

In contrast to organic dairy farming, organic pig farming represents a very small percentage (approximately 2%) of total Austrian pig production. The differences compared to conventional farming are particularly significant in the farrowing area, which makes many farmers hesitant to convert to organic pig farming. Free farrowing without farrowing crates and an extended suckling period of at least 40 days characterize organic piglet production. Additionally, restrictions in the feed sector (GMO-free, no extraction meal, synthetic amino acids, and enzymes) present further challenges in piglet rearing and the care of the lactating sow. Providing an outdoor run also clearly distinguishes organic pig farming from conventional farming in terms of barn design.

Main focus areas of the department

The Pig Animal Health Department primarily deals with issues of preventive animal health. Since the term "animal health" is closely linked to concepts such as husbandry, feeding, and management, we face a complex field of work with many interesting sub-areas.

The main focus is on management, health care with medicinal plants and other biogenic substances, improvement of well-being through animal-friendly housing and feeding of sows and piglets under the conditions of EU Organic Regulation 834/2007 or 889/2008.

New vaccine against E. coli edema disease approved

IDT Biologika GmbH produces a new vaccine against edema disease in piglets, which has been approved throughout Europe. According to the manufacturer, this provides, for the first time, effective prevention against this economically significant disease in growing piglets. ECOPORC SHIGA is a one-shot vaccine that can be administered from the 4th day of life. Protection lasts until approximately the 15th week of life, well into the fattening period. Studies demonstrate its efficacy against Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria, achieving a reduction to almost 0%.

Farms that have had problems with edema piglets in the past should contact their veterinarian to discuss the possible use of vaccination.

The following chapters provide an impression of the department's work and are divided according to subject matter:

Animal health in general

Oral iron supplementation for organic piglets

Iron is an essential nutrient in the development of piglets. As a key component of blood and muscle pigments, iron is vital. Many enzymes depend on the presence of iron in the body.

Sow milk contains significantly less iron than piglets need to survive. Approximately one-tenth of their iron requirement can be met through milk alone. The remainder must be supplied externally. A common practice is to administer an iron injection on the second or third day of life. This involves injecting an organic iron compound (usually iron dextran) into the piglet's muscle tissue, ensuring iron supply for the first 14 days. After that, piglets obtain iron from solid feed, thus meeting their needs.

Iron could also be administered in the form of pastes, but this requires special chemical compounds (dextran, fumarate, etc.). Since EU organic regulation 889/2008 only permits iron for oral intake in the forms of iron carbonate, sulfate or oxide, this form is de facto unavailable for organic farms.

• Oral iron supplementation in suckling piglets - This presentation provides an overview of the problems in organic farming and presents results of our own experiments with inorganic iron pastes.

• A hot topic BIO AUSTRIA - BIO AUSTRIA Magazine 6/2006, pp. 40/41: Brief report on experiences with an inorganic iron paste

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• Oral iron supplementation in suckling piglets under organic piglet production conditions - Contribution to the 2009 Organic Farming Scientific Conference

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Parasite management

Pigs are plagued by "freeloaders" throughout their lives. These parasites can live as "ectoparasites" on the skin surface (lice) or in the skin (mites) and cause damage, or as "endoparasites" inside the body (worms).

Especially for organic farms, the question of how to deal with parasites is essential, as chemically synthetic drugs are often used to combat them.

Alternative therapies such as homeopathy or phytotherapy are only partially successful in combating parasites. While these therapies strengthen the animals' immune system, treatment with such remedies does not lead to improvement in cases of severe parasite infestation. Therefore, a strategic parasite control plan is essential on organic farms.

• Endo- and ectoparasites in pigs - overview presentation focusing on effective chemical-synthetic preparations

• Don't look away, fight them strategically - Bio Austria Magazine 4/2008, pp. 34-35 - Information on the most common parasites, briefly summarized for agricultural businesses

• Parasite brochure - LFI 2004 - compiled by veterinarians and consultants, this brochure provides a comprehensive overview of the most important parasites and how to control them

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Animal health and feeding

Animal health is influenced by many factors. The term "management" is often used to summarize this. The decisions of the animal caretaker play a crucial role. Why does it matter which farm animals are purchased from? How high does a farmer choose the stocking density in the barn? Does enrichment material influence changes in the animals' behavior? How is the health of the herd related to the well-being of the caretakers? Many unanswered questions remain, and these are not always easy to answer scientifically. The publications listed here focus on these questions.

Why do animals get sick? This presentation attempts to illustrate general connections between animal care and animal health, using sheep farming as an example. (Presentation by the Sheep Breeders' Association, 2010)

Is buying animals unhealthy? Bio Austria Magazine 1/2006, pp. 42-43 - Every purchase of animals affects herd health. Unfamiliar animals bring unknown germs into the barn and can thus promote or trigger diseases. The article deals with the effects of animal trafficking and provides tips on how to avoid mistakes when purchasing animals.

Pigs need minerals: Ernte Magazine 1/2006, pp. 40-41 - Organic farms rely on their animals' high capacity to compensate by improving husbandry conditions, offering varied rations, and avoiding stress. Nevertheless, basic rules must be followed when feeding growing animals. For example, a zinc deficiency can lead to serious skin problems.

Parakeratosis in an organic pig fattening farm: scientific report on the effects of zinc deficiency in fattening pigs.

Tail biting in organic piglets: Even in well-managed organic farms, behavioral problems such as tail biting can occur. The cause is not always obvious. This information sheet provides clues that can help in determining the cause.

Veterinary care of organic pigs: The Progressive Farmer 12/2007, pp. 16-17 - An article for farmers interested in switching to organic pig farming. The key aspects of treatment options for organic pig farms are presented clearly.

Castration on organic farms

The castration of male piglets is performed within the first seven days of life. The purpose of this procedure is to prevent the sex-related negative effects on the meat caused by the substances androstenone and skatole. For several years now, organic farms have administered pain medication before castration to alleviate the resulting wound pain. The publications presented here indicate the complexity of this issue and the potential consequences of abandoning castration. While preserving the animals' complete integrity is ethically justifiable, a potential abandonment of castration raises many new questions. Currently, a target date of 2018 is being considered for a Europe-wide end to castration without anesthesia. Depending on the success of the current intensive efforts to establish different forms of anesthesia in practice, as well as the introduction of boar fattening at large slaughterhouses, this deadline may be met or postponed even further.

• Current aspects of castration of male piglets. 1st communication

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• Current aspects of male piglet castration. 2nd communication: a scientific contribution as a basis for the castration discussion. In addition to a description of current practice and possible alternatives, the article concludes with an ethical evaluation of the different alternative methods.

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• How far should animal welfare go? Journal of the Austrian Association for Animal Welfare 3/2009, No. 308, pp. 12-13 - Overview article presenting possible alternatives
• Surgical castration of piglets – are there alternatives? Presentation at the 2006 Livestock Welfare Conference at the LFZ Raumberg-Gumpenstein

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• Fattening of immunocastrated pigs - practical experience - lecture

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• Fattening of immunocastrated pigs - practical experience - Report on immunocastration presented at the 2010 livestock welfare conference at the LFZ Raumberg-Gumpenstein

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• Information sheet on piglet castration: Instructions for the use of a pain reliever before castration (2010). Currently, the following medications are approved in Austria for the treatment of castration-related wound pain. (As of January 2013): Metacam®, Finadyne®, Melovem®, Rifen®

Management in the breeding sow barn

Group housing of sows with piglets: "Group suckling" 

• Group suckling in organic pig farming - FIBL Fact Sheet 2007
• Breastfeeding group for pigs in BIO AUSTRIA magazine 5/2007

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• Group suckling in organic sow units - Proceedings of ISOFAR 2008, pp. 110-113.
  Group suckling in piglet-producing organic farms in Austria - Presentation at the 15th Open Field Conference:

Production rhythm in breeding operations - Presentation 2007

Publication: Barn construction for organic livestock farming - pigs http://oekl.at/publikationen/lts/lts229/

• Pietrain x Duroc published in BIO AUSTRIA 3/07

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• Brochure: Quality Meat Production of Organic Pork 2006
• Skimmed Milk Powder - High-Quality Protein for Suckling Piglets 2009
• 10th Scientific Conference: Effects of System-Typical Rations on Reproductive Performance and Health of Lactating Sows in Organic Farming
• Presentation: What Do Plant-Based Substances (Solan) Offer?
• Research Report: Feeding Strategies in Organic Pork Production to Ensure Food Safety
• ISOFAR Conference 2008: Effects of Silage or Probiotics on Performance...

Barn construction

Wels farrowing pen: Final report on the results of 150 farrowings in the Wels farrowing pen

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WelCon farrowing pen: a new development for organic and conventional farms

Barn construction

New construction and renovations are costly measures that require careful consideration. In recent years, many new concepts for organic livestock farming have emerged in German-speaking countries. While the so-called FAT-2 farrowing pen was standard in Austria at the beginning of the 2000s, pens based on other concepts are now increasingly being installed. A significant factor in this development has been the so-called "SUMMENRUGEL" (general unit rule), which allows farmers more flexibility in designing barn and outdoor area space. In consultation with the responsible authority (BMG), the following points were agreed upon, under which the requirements for minimum barn and outdoor area space are also met:

1. Both the minimum total area and the minimum exercise area must be adhered to.
2. The animals must be provided with an unrestricted, enclosed, bedded lying area in the thermally insulated area, adapted in size and temperature.
3. The minimum barn area (according to Annex III of Regulation (EC) 889/2008) must be covered. At least 10% of the minimum outdoor run area is not covered.
4. The run is accessible at all times.

The third edition of the agricultural engineering publication series, "Barn Construction for Organic Pig Farming," addresses this topic and provides numerous practical tips to consider during barn construction. Further information about the brochure can be found on the website of the Austrian Board of Trustees for Agricultural Engineering ( www.oekl.at/publikationen/lts/verzeichnis/229 ).

WELSER FROZEN BAY

A new development made possible by the aforementioned sum rule is the Wels farrowing pen. This is an organic-compliant pen for use in an open-air barn. Key features include the clear separation of the four functional areas: lying area, activity and elimination area, feeding area, and piglet nest. Since it is an open-air barn, the temperature control in the piglet nest and the sow's lying area is of particular importance.

The following publications provide an overview of the research work carried out at the Wels farrowing pen in the years 2010–2013

Description of the bay concept

• Free farrowing in an open-air barn - is that possible?

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• Welser farrowing pen - stable description

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Working time required in the bay

• Welser farrowing pen: Time is money – A report in the Fortschrittlicher Landwirt (Progressive Farmer) on the working time surveys in the pen

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• Determining the labor requirements of the Wels farrowing pen: Diploma thesis by Paul Pötz, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences

• Working time requirements for Wels farrowing pen - Poster: The most important information summarized in one poster

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Results of recent years

• New concept for free farrowing: Current evaluation of the first 100 farrowings (2013)

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• New developments in the sector of "Free Farrowing Pens" (LC updates 2012)

• Welser farrowing pen - performance data and experiences: Proceedings of the Bio Austria Farmers' Days (2012)

WelCon farrowing pen – a new development for organic and conventional farms

Based on experience gained with different farrowing pen concepts at the Wels site, a warm-barn version of the Wels farrowing pen was developed in cooperation with SCHAUER-Agrotronic. The key feature is a door mechanism that allows the sow to enter and exit the feeding area from the lying area. This eliminates the need for a second exit opening to reach the feeding stall (as in the open-air version). This separate feeding area also allows for the temporary restraint of the sow during pen cleaning or piglet handling (vaccination, castration). This also meets the occupational safety requirements for handling sows in open farrowing pens.

The prototype of the WelCon farrowing pen – BIO was developed at the Thalheim/Wels site and has already been tested on several sows. The cumulative cleaning rule was also applied in this pen variant. With an interior floor area of ​​6.5 m² (including piglet feeding area and piglet nest), the 4 m² lying area is kept just as clean as in the Wels farrowing pen.

The conventional version of the WelCon is optionally offered with a closed lying area or with a PVC floor (minimal perforation) and cast iron grate in the droppings area.

Product description: http://www.schauer-agrotronic.com/uploads/media/WelCon_Abferkelbucht.pdf

Piglet diarrhea

Diarrhea poses a significant threat to piglets. The first few days of life (early diarrhea caused by E. coli or Clostridium) and the second and third weeks (coccidia) are critical periods. After weaning at six weeks (organic), another critical phase begins, during which the piglets must cope without their mother and usually in a new environment with only solid food. Diarrhea during this time is most often caused by E. coli and can be fatal.

A key research focus in recent years has been the use of plant-based substances to regulate the digestive processes of piglets after weaning. Compared to chemically synthesized substances (e.g., antibiotics), plant-based remedies are milder in their effects, but unfortunately also less effective against harmful bacteria.

Therefore, herbs and spices cannot replace antibiotics in serious cases, but are used successfully in many places as complementary therapy or as a targeted preventative measure.

The following articles and lectures provide an insight into working with plants in the sense of phytotherapeutic support for piglets during periods of increased susceptibility to diarrhea-causing pathogens.

• Stages of successful piglet rearing

• Is there a remedy for post-weaning diarrhea? The Progressive Farmer 6/2008 pp. 28-29

• Using tormentil against diarrhea Bioland 06/2010 pp. 18-19

• Natural ways to prevent diarrhea. The Progressive Farmer, Issue 19/2010, pp. 22-23

• Antibiotic-free piglet rearing and pig fattening – an illusion?

• Preparing piglets optimally for weaning

• Phytotherapy for piglet diseases - possibilities and limitations of treatment Swiss Journal of Health Medicine 2016;28(suppl 1) pp. 31-32

Use of medicinal plants

• ÖAG brochure: Medicinal plants for farm animals
• Book: Herbs for Farm and Domestic Animals
• Jugl et al.: Testing of the palatability....
• Vet Journal 5/2005 pp. 26-28 Phytotherapy in livestock farming
• 9th Scientific Conference on Organic Farming: 2007, Phytotherapeutic treatment of an influenza infection in an organic pig farm - case report.

Herbs and diarrhea prophylaxis

• 10th Scientific Conference 2009: Use of herbs, clay minerals and effective microorganisms for the prophylaxis of post-eclampsia diarrhea

• The Progressive Farmer 6/2008 pp. 28-29 Is there a remedy for post-withdrawal diarrhea?

• Research report Kräutofer 2007 - Piglet diarrhea - Use of a supplementary feed with clay minerals, microorganisms and herbs

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• Herbal tea for pigs Bioland 08/2013 pp. 29-30

Films

• Organic pig farming - a tour of the institute
• Waiting pen:
  The pregnant animals are kept in stable groups, meaning there are five sows in each pen, all of whom were bred at the same time and are moved together to the farrowing pen one week before farrowing. Separating the feeding, lying, and activity areas helps keep the lying area clean. Manure is primarily deposited outdoors, so the pen only needs occasional cleaning and re-littering. Roughage (hay, silage, grass) is offered in the outdoor run, increasing the attractiveness of the open areas.
• Boar Bay:
  The boar is kept outdoors all year round; a small hut protects it from rain, wind and cold, and a wallow serves for cooling.
  
• Gilts
  can either be purchased from a breeder or introduced into the sow herd through breeding. Gilts are first bred at approximately 220-240 days of age and a live weight of 130-140 kg. When selecting gilts, criteria such as udder, hooves, feet and legs, gait, and body length should be considered.
• Washroom:
  Shortly before their expected due date, sows in a farrowing group are prepared for birth together. The animals are cleaned in a "shower room" using warm water and soap to prevent the transfer of dirt and parasites into the cleaned farrowing area. Particular attention is paid to cleaning hard-to-reach areas (ear flaps, udders, interdigital spaces).
• Nest-building
  sows that are not restrained during farrowing can almost fully express their innate behaviors surrounding the birthing process. This includes, among other things, intensive nest building before giving birth. Long straw is gathered into a nest using the mouth. This nest is worked on in a circular motion for hours and then serves as the birthing place. The more pronounced the nest-building instinct, the calmer the birth can be. A quick birth and fewer stillborn piglets are the result.
• Individual farrowing:
  For farrowing, the sows are provided with a farrowing pen consisting of several sections. The piglet nest faces the service aisle. Approximately 1 m²ⁱⁿ size guarantees sufficient space for 10 piglets throughout the entire suckling period. The lying area also serves as a suckling area and is separated from the dunging area by a partition. Self-closing doors form a weatherproof barrier to the outdoor run. These doors can be opened by the sows with their snouts and can also be passed through by the piglets via a small opening. The sows' withdrawal from the group shortly before farrowing corresponds to the natural behavior of pigs. While restraining the sows for treatment or in case of aggressive behavior towards the piglets is legally permissible in principle, it has not been necessary in recent years.
• Group farrowing:
  In this farrowing system, the sows in a farrowing group remain together even during birth. "Farrowing pens" with piglet nests are available for the animals to retreat to. The sows can enter and leave these pens at any time, but the piglets are prevented from leaving the pens for the first 10-14 days. This measure ensures an undisturbed imprinting phase between piglets and their mothers. Only in this way can it be guaranteed that each piglet will find its mother again after leaving the farrowing pen and that fights between piglets from other litters at the udder are prevented.
• Birth
  : Birth is a physiological process in the life of a breeding sow and normally requires no human intervention. Piglets are born at intervals of a few minutes to an hour. Within minutes, they stand up, go to their mother's udder, and drink colostrum. The end of the birth is marked by the complete expulsion of the placentas. Statistically, free-range sows have shorter births with fewer stillborn piglets than restrained sows. In addition to the design of the pens, the sow's maternal instincts are also of great importance in minimizing piglet losses in free-range animals.
• Piglet
  nests: Piglets have a higher heat requirement than sows. Therefore, all piglets in a litter are provided with a temperature-optimized microclimate (piglet nest) during the suckling period. The piglet nest heating system must allow for optimal lying behavior in the piglets; this is achieved through good heat distribution and a continuous heat supply.
• Group suckling:
  Group housing of sows with piglets – also known as group suckling – mimics the natural behavior of pigs in free-ranging populations. In these wild populations, the sow separates herself from the group a few days before giving birth, returning with her piglets approximately 10–14 days afterward. This timeline is adopted in group suckling and adapted to the conditions of conventional housing. Typically, sows are placed in individual farrowing pens a few days before giving birth, where they remain until they are reintegrated into the group after about 14 days. Until the end of the suckling period, 2–5 sows are then kept together in a group pen. For group suckling to function effectively, the sows' farrowing dates should not differ by more than about 5 days. Otherwise, the risk of cross-suckling increases, meaning that piglets from other litters will disrupt the suckling process and steal milk from those sows.
• Piglet Rearing:
  After at least 40 days of suckling, the piglets are separated from their mother. The sows are moved to the gestation pen and re-bred there when they come into heat (4-7 days after weaning). A rearing pen is available for the piglets, which is fully bedded and has a heated farrowing nest. Warmth is vital for the first few days without their mother, as not only the pen conditions but also the daily routine and the food supply change. During suckling, the mother determines the feeding schedule; afterward, the piglets decide for themselves when and how much solid feed to eat. After about four more weeks, the piglets weigh 25 kg and can be sold to organic fattening farms.
  
• Organic pork in the future
  

  Organic farming isn't always about romanticized farms. Today, organic means high-tech, even in the pigsty. Andreas Jäger (Servus TV) visited the Institute for Organic Agriculture at the LFZ Raumberg-Gumpenstein in Wels, because here, under scientifically controlled conditions, they aim to find the organic pig of the future.

  The video guides you through the scientific work with organic pigs.