Int’l - Tech Talk: Water, water everywhere but is it fit to drink?

Drinking water is one of the most critical areas to get right for successful pig production, but it doesn't always receive the attention it deserves. Getting the basics right is becoming increasingly important as the ban of antibiotic growth promoters on 1 January 2006 draws closer. Water quality for weaned piglets in particular must be given the highest priority if gut and overall health problems are to be avoided with the change from sow's milk to drinking water. The quality of water leaving every drinking point should match kitchen tap water. Ask yourself, 'Would I drink it'? If the answer is no then seriously review what needs to be done to get and keep water quality up to scratch. This checklist gives important pointers for weaned pigs: • Pigs should have unrestricted access to clean and fresh water at all times. Allow one drinking point for every 10 pigs. • Position drinking points within easy reach of the smallest and largest pig in each pen over the growing interval. This might require heightadjustable drinkers, or several drinkers at different heights. • Check flow rates from drinkers- for weaned piglets. It should be around one litre per minute. Low flow rates will restrict water intake and reduce daily gain. • Consider increasing water availability with turkey or cube drinkers. • Carry out a thorough investigation of the water storage and delivery system - make sure it is free from contamination such as droppings, rodents, dust and any other undesirable matter. A good place to start is the header tank. • Check header tanks for contamination. Sludge must be removed and the system cleaned and sanitised. • Header tanks must be fitted with lids and screened overflow to prevent dust and other substances entering the water supply. Lid design and header tank location should allow easy and regular inspection and cleaning. • Header tanks within flat deck rooms are more susceptible to contamination and microbial growth, especially if not covered properly. Consider relocating tanks to reduce contamination and facilitate regular inspection and cleaning. Ensure this won't affect water pressure and flow rate from drinkers - booster pumps may be required. • Drinking points have been found to carry very high levels of microbial contamination so soak drinkers in sanitation solution and rinse in clean water before refitting to the system. Consult your veterinary adviser for appropriate cleaning and sanitation products. • Remove corroded pipelines and repair any leaks as routine maintenance tasks. The BPEX booklet 'Managing the withdrawal of antibiotic growth promoters from pigs feeds' includes other back-to-basics checklists that provide useful reminders and staff training aids. It can be downloaded from www.bpex.org.uk or copies ordered from MLC's Technical Division, Tel 01908 844734. Slim down your wasteline Now is a good time for farmers to start watching their waste and thinking about ways to reduce it. New waste regulations take effect in June/July 2005 in England and Wales and it is important for farmers to look at what's to be done now. Pig producers need to work out what waste problems are likely to arise and decide what to do about them. Having less to get rid of could mean substantial cost savings come the summer when farmers will have to: • Send or take waste for off-farm disposal at licensed sites • Register a licensing exemption with the EA to recycle waste on-farm or • Apply for a licence to continue on-farm disposal New rules will mean a big change for on-farm waste management practices. Farmers will have to consider separating different types of waste, cleaning or rinsing some, transferring others off-farm and keeping records. The use of on-farm tips will not be allowed - their continued use would mean having to comply with the Landfill Directive, including closure and after-care costs that are potentially huge. Defra proposals indicate 'waste' will mean anything that is to be discarded, including synthetic materials (packaging, plastics, waste oil etc) as well as manure, slurry and effluent. Workable, practical solutions need to be thought through now so farmers can concentrate on actually running their businesses, while also taking a responsible approach to protecting the environment. Take action: Resources will have already been invested in the inputs that finally generate waste on-farm. Review practices and pig performance including all inputs and outputs. Look at lifetime growth rates and feed conversion ratios - improving these will have immediate benefits for the bottom line as well as reducing waste. Pinpoint the inefficiencies and think of how to get the most out of your investment. Get some pointers from Defra's Waste Minimisation Manual and EA's Opportunity for Saving Money leaflet. Have a thorough spring clean! Tidying and securing farm tips and getting rid of waste from around the farm will give a head start to dealing with the new regulations when they arrive. This will also have important biosecurity benefits for pig units. Get together with other farmers and local businesses and organisations to find local solutions that will work for you. Consider new business opportunities such as waste transfer and collection services. Contact MLC's Pig Technologist Nigel Penlington for more information. Tel 01908 844734.