Effect of the Stellamune (TM) Mycoplasma vaccin on growth, energy conversion, death, and medication use in fattening pigs on a pig farm chronically infected with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

The effect of Stellamune(TM) Mycoplasma vaccine, administered to piglets ag ed 2-15 days and then 13-15 days later, on daily weight gain, energy conver sion, and use of medication was examined in fattening pigs on a chronically Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infected pig farm. Half of the piglets were vacci nated and the other half acted as controls. In the study design, half of th e pens in the fattening unit were allocated to vaccinated pigs; the other h alf to non-vaccinated pigs, pen was the experimental unit. In the fattening pens sows and castrated boars were separated. The study consisted of a tot al of 37 pens wit vaccinated, and 37 pens wit non-vaccinated pigs in 12 dif ferent compartments within the pig herd. In the finishing period, mean grow th performance and mean energy conversion (EV/kg) of vaccinated animals was 65 grams/day higher and 0.07 EV/kg lower than in control pigs. Furthermore , the incidence of individual curative medication against respiratory probl ems was more than 4 times higher in control pigs than in vaccinated pigs. T here was a tendency for a higher number of group medications against respir atory problems in control pigs than in vaccinated pigs It is concluded that , in this herd, vaccination against M. hyopneumoniae was successful from an economic point of view.