Updated 30. September 2024

Guidelines 

In this section, you will find concise, practical knowledge on a wide range of topics available for download.

One of the goals of Danish Agriculture and Food Council is together with SEGES Innovation to make the knowledge we generate through our research activities easily available. T

In this section, we have collected fact sheets, guidelines etc. on a wide range of subjects relevant to all pig producers. With their printer-friendly layout, our fact sheets and guidelines are ideal for on-farm use.

The guidelines below describe diagnostics, handling of antibiotic treatment and how to prevent diarrhoea in finishers, and much more.

”Use antibiotiocs as little as possible, but as often as necessary”

It is crucial that antibiotics for the treatment of animals are used appropriately and responsibly, thereby ensuring effective treatment with the least amount of antibiotics possible. The purpose of antibiotic treatment of pigs is to safeguard the pigs’ health and well-being.

The purpose of this manual is to gather all the relevant knowledge and experience related to reducing the requirement for antibiotics and to present this information in an easily accessible and practical manner. The manual is written by a group of pig experts consisting of pig veterinarians, local pig production advisors and employees from SEGES Pig Research Centre.

The group decided to focus primarily on diarrhoea in weaners and finishers, since this is where we find the greatest use of antibiotics in pigs. The principle was: “Use antibiotics as little as possible, but as often as necessary”. A series of instructions (fact sheets) were drawn up to be used as a tool in the prevention of diarrhoea outbreaks. In case of disease outbreaks, the herd vet decides whether antibiotic treatment is necessary and, if so, which drug and dose to administer.

The group hopes that the material will be a helpful tool for farmers, staff and advisors in their efforts to reduce antibiotic use on their farms.

Guidelines on Good Antibiotic Practice will undergo routine updates as farmers, vets and advisors gain more experience in reducing the consumption of antibiotics. The Guidelines are available in Danish and English.

Download the entire set of guidelines by clicking the links below. 

Prevention of diarrhea in weaners and finishers
Clean pig facility
Dry and warm pig facility
Cleaning of water pipes
Supply of water and feeds
Feed and diarrhea
Preventive steps against diarrhea
Changing diets without diarrhea outbreaks
On-farm feed hygiene
Daily routines
Thermal environment for the smallest pigs
Transfer and sorting of weaners
Hospital pens
Diagnostic and management of antibiotic treatment
How to diagnose diarrhea
Instructions in injection technique
Correct dosing of antibiotics
Stock solution of antibiotics
Administering antibiotics in drinking water
Administering antibiotics in liquid feed
Administering antibiotics in dry feed
ADD - Average Daily Dose
Yellow Card for high antibiotic use
Antibiotics and pick-up for slaughter

Updated 30. September 2024

Performance in the farrowing unit forms the basis of productivity in the sow unit. 

Good management routines in the farrowing unit are essential to be able to produce large and healthy weaners that form the basis of the future production. It is therefore important that all staff members are familiar with the farm routines - from preparing the farrowing pen for a new sow to successfully weaning the piglets.

All routines in the farrowing unit - from pre-farrowing to weaning - are described in the guidelines on managament of the farrowing facility.

Index of fact sheets

This set of guidelines provides best practice instructions on management of weaners and finishers.
Obtaining good production results in both the weaner and finisher units requires skills, know-how, planning and consistent work routines. If this goes hand in hand with pigs of premium quality, correctly designed pens and optimum environment, pig producers are assured of increased earnings, improved production results and a greater job satisfaction.  

In the management tool ”Growth Management - Pigs”, all knowledge and practical experiences are compiled in an accessible format. Combined with dedicated advice, these fact sheets will make it easier for farmers and staff alike to utilize the potential for improvements in a herd. 

Index of fact sheets

Updated 7. July 2022

The online courses from SEGES Innovation are relevant for employees in Danish pig production – new as well as experienced. 

The online courses are focused on different topics all relevant for the daily work in a pig production. New and foreign employees can find a course specifically aimed at giving the best introduction to their new workplace, while other courses provide guidance and knowledge on topics as the sow and the pig’s cycle, infection protection and daily supervision of the piglet’s house, among others.

The courses are free to use and has an average length between 15-20 minutes. They come in four languages, Danish, English, Ukrainian and Romanian and are especially relevant for foreign employees who have not previously worked at a pig farm, though Danish or more experienced employees can find new knowledge and relevant guidelines as well.  

The courses are made by SEGES Innovation and supported by Danish Pig Levy Fund.