Manure and Pasture Management to Reduce Swine Parasites in Organic Pastured Pork Production
Project Director
Yuzhi Li
Year Funded
2018
Award Number
2018-51106-28772
Funded Institution
University of Minnesota
Grant Program
ORG (Organic Transitions)
USDA NIFA Report (alternate)
Project Overview
Internal parasites in swine pose a significant challenge in organic pork production. This project documented populations of three leading parasites (large roundworm, Ascaris suum; whipworm, Trichuris suis; and nodular worm Oesophagostomum spp.) on nine organic farms in MN, IA, WI, and PA. Experiments were conducted to determine whether composting manure bedpack or growing a biofumingant crucifer (rapeseed) in pig pastures would reduce parasite numbers.
Farmer Takeaways
(1) Intestinal parasites in organic pork production pose food safety risks and reduce organ meat (liver) quality even when pig growth and finish weight are not reduced.
(2) Composting swine manure bedpack in windrows turned five times can reduce parasite egg counts if windrow temperatures exceed 130°F for 4-8 weeks. This can be difficult to achieve during winter in colder climates.
(3) Rotational grazing (new paddock at least once a week) reduces fecal egg counts. Pasture soil egg counts begin to decline three weeks after pigs are removed.
(4) Biofumigation with a crucifer crop does not further reduce pasture parasite loads. Ladino clover produced more forage biomass than rapeseed.
Project Outputs
Parasite Infection in Organic Pigs | University of Minnesota Article
Improving Health of Organic Pigs | University of Minnesota Extension
Li, Y. Z., A. D. Hernandez, S. Major, and R. Carr. 2022. Occurrence of intestinal parasites and its impact on growth performance and carcass traits of pigs raised under near-organic conditions. Frontiers in Vet. Sci. 9: 911561.
Hernandez, A. D., Y. Z. Li , R. Carr, and S. Major. 2023. Intestinal roundworm infection in organic and alternative swine farms in the USA. Veterinary Parasitology, 314.