Water quality is a critical but often underappreciated factor in swine management. To better understand its impact, Pipestone Research recently conducted a series of trials comparing the performance of pigs raised on rural water versus well water. These trials yielded significant insights into how water quality can influence pig growth, health, and overall nursery performance.
Trial 1: Striking Differences Between Rural and Well Water
In the first trial, pigs were divided into two groups: one group was provided well water, and the other rural water. The study aimed to evaluate key performance indicators such as average daily gain, feed intake, feed conversion, and survivability. The well water has been the only water source for that barn since it was built. The rural water was provided via a milk tanker and a sump pump to match the flowability of the water. Water samples were collected regularly and stayed consistent within the water source. The results were striking.
Pigs on rural water showed a 5% higher full-value rate and had a mortality rate of just 2.3%, compared to a 6% mortality rate in the group on well water. Additionally, the pigs on well water exhibited significantly more diarrhea, leading to poor growth and increased mortality.
The differences were visually apparent as well. Pens with pigs on rural water were dry and clean, while those on well water were wet and dirty, with pigs showing signs of looseness and poor condition. The study highlighted the potential negative effects of well water on pig health, raising questions about the specific water quality parameters responsible for these differences.
Trial 2: Validating Findings
Given the dramatic results of the first trial, the team decided to replicate the study to validate the findings.
This time, the rural water was directly plumbed into the barn, still, water quality was consistent with the first study. Pigs were again divided into groups: those receiving well water and those receiving rural water.
The results of the second trial were consistent with the first. Pigs on rural water outperformed those on well water in terms of average daily gain and feed intake. Mortality rates were again higher in the well water group, with a 9.25% mortality rate compared to 4.41% in the rural water group.
As in the first trial, the visual differences were clear. Pens with pigs on well water were noticeably wetter and dirtier, with more severe diarrhea compared to the cleaner, drier pens of pigs on rural water.
Conclusions and Future Directions
These trials underscore the significant impact that water quality can have on nursery pig performance. The consistent results across both studies suggest that poor-quality well water can lead to increased diarrhea, higher mortality rates, and overall poorer growth performance in pigs. The use of rural water, on the other hand, resulted in better health outcomes and more efficient growth.
However, the trials also raised important questions about the specific factors within the well water that contributed to these negative outcomes. While the water analysis showed differences in elements like calcium, magnesium, and total dissolved solids, the exact combination of factors that led to poorer performance remains unclear. Future research is needed to pinpoint these elements and develop strategies to mitigate their effects.
In conclusion, these studies highlight the importance of considering water quality in swine nursery management. We recommend that producers using well water for nursery groups experiencing unexplained diarrhea should investigate their water quality and consider appropriate water treatment or alternative sources.
Article by Erin Little
Erin Little graduated from South Dakota State University with a B.S. in Animal Science and an M.S. in Swine Genetics. She began her career with PIPESTONE managing day-to-day activities in research barns and moved on to serve as the Director of Research Operations, where she helped organize the team, build and implement protocols, and analyze and interpret data. Today, Erin is transitioning to Pipestone Business Services, where she will serve producers as the Director of FarmStats.
Article by Roy Edler
Roy Edler developed a passion for farming and livestock growing up in Northeast Iowa and actively participating in 4-H and FFA. He earned his M.S. degree from Iowa State University and brought his expertise to PIPESTONE in 2017 as a Biostatistician for Pipestone Research.
