Manitoba Swine Seminar Liquid Diets for Young Pigs: A “Solution” for Post-Weaning Morbidity and Mortality

Despite concerted research efforts, piglet morbidity and mortality remain as significant problems for the swine industry. This is well illustrated in statistics reported by the most recent National Swine Surveys conducted by the USDA National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS, 1997, 2000). These surveys documented little if any improvement in piglet mortality rates (farrowing and nursery phases) during the past 10 years, which were reported to average about 13% of live births. The predominant causes of mortality following “crushing by the dam” were identified by producers as “starvation” and “diarrhea” (Table 1). Problems persist despite increases in the use of injectable antibiotics by surveyed producers.