title: Weaner production with low antimicrobial usage: a descriptive study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health, productivity and antimicrobial use in the production of pigs are expected to be interrelated to some extent. Previous studies on register-based data have investigated these correlations with a subsequent large variation residing at the farm level. In order to study such farm factors in more detail we designed an elaborate interview-guide. By in-depth interviews of farmers with well-managed 7-30 kg (weaner) productions we sought to describe a set of common key-factors characterizing their management practices. Identification of such common practices could be used in follow-up projects, investigating whether identified factors really are characteristic for good-practicing famers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven farms were selected for a farm visit and in-depth interview. Participating farms used less antimicrobials than the national median (8.2 animal daily doses/100 weaners/day), had a mortality below the national average (2.9%) and an average daily weight gain above the national average (443 g/day). Similarities were observed among participating farms, including the sectioning of farms, use of all-in-all-out procedures with subsequent cleaning, purchasing 7 kg weaners from only one source, as well as active participation in management by a committed farm owner. Most farmers had a specific point of focus in their management, and were convinced that this was the reason for their success. This included; feeding, treatment strategy, refurbishment of facilities and presence in the shed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to register data, participating farms were alike; in the good league regarding use of antimicrobials, mortality and daily growth. However, on-farm interviews elucidated more heterogeneity among farmers than expected. Most of the farmers had a specific point of focus, which they considered to be crucial for their good results. These results indicate the importance of non-registerable factors, highlighting the value of qualitative study techniques in the understanding of human actions. Further studies on the effect of various farmer types are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Section for Epidemiology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Bülowsvej 27, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. memun@vet.dtu.dk.
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fertner
authors.affiliation: Section for Epidemiology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Bülowsvej 27, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. anebo@vet.dtu.dk.
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boklund
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegaardsvej 2, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. nhd@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Nana
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dupont
authors.affiliation: Section for Epidemiology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Bülowsvej 27, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. claes_private@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Claes
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Enøe
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegaardsvej 2, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. hst@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Helle
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stege
authors.affiliation: Section for Epidemiology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Bülowsvej 27, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. ntoft@vet.dtu.dk.
authors.forename: Nils
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Toft
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003718:Denmark; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents