Document type: scientific article published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Authors: Väre M, Koskikallio H, Heinonen M, Tuominen-Brinkas M, Munsterhjelm C, Valros A, and Niemi JK
Abstract in French (translation): Motivational factors and financial incentives aimed at reducing tail biting in pig farming in Finland
Tail bitingaffects the health and well-being of pigs, carcass quality, and production profitability, both in weaned piglet operations and in finishing operations. There are specific quality criteria for weaned piglets, and damage to the tail can result in a deduction from the purchase price of weaned piglets as well as the rejection of carcasses at the slaughterhouse. Although this is an important issue, little research has focused on tail biting in weaned piglet production. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of various motivational factors and economic incentives on the management of tail biting in Finnish pig farms, and to assess the costs associated with tail biting in weaned piglet production. Data were collected through interviews conducted between 2021 and 2022 with representatives from 15 farms raising finishing pigs and 10 farms raising weaned piglets. The interviews focused on risk factors associated with tail biting and on the factors that most motivated farmers to reduce this behavior. In addition, using a computational model, the economic impact of tail biting in nursery facilities was assessed. The farmers interviewed were very or fairly motivated to combat tail-biting when they observed it on their own farms. Half of the representatives from farms raising weaned piglets considered management measures to be cumbersome to implement. The economic incentives that most motivated weaned piglet producers to combat tail-biting were the higher price obtained for pigs with intact tails (uncut and free of lesions) and financial support provided for tail-biting management measures. Fattening farms, on the other hand, were primarily motivated by a reduction in carcass rejects and an increase in meat prices. The results suggest that the desire to produce healthy and well-treated pigs also motivated Finnish farmers. According to the calculation model and a hypothetical scenario, tail biting in weaned piglet production can result in a loss of up to approximately 32 euros per pig affected by tail biting in Finland, taking into account potential effects during the finishing phase, reduced growth, treatment of pigs with tail lesions, as well as various income losses and additional costs.
Preview: Tail biting affects the health and welfare of pigs, the quality of pig carcasses, and the profitability of production in both weaner and finishing pig production. There are specific quality criteria for weaned pigs, and tail damage can lead to a deduction in the purchase price of the weaner pigs as well as carcass rejections at the slaughterhouse. Although the issue is important, research has paid little attention to tail biting in weaner pig production, The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of various motivational factors and economic incentives on the managing of tail biting in Finnish pig farms and to assess the costs of tail biting occurring in weaner pig production. The data were collected by interviewing representatives of 15 farms producing finishing pigs and 10 farms producing weaner pigs during 2021-2022. The interviews covered risk factors for tail biting and the factors that most motivated producers to reduce tail biting. Additionally, by using a calculation model, the economic significance of tail biting in nurseries was assessed. The interviewed farmers were very or fairly motivated to address tail biting when they observed it in their own farms. Half of the representatives from farms producing weaner pigs found the managing measures laborious to implement. The economic incentives that motivated farmers producing weaner pigs most to address tail biting were the better price obtained for intact-tailed (undocked tails with no tail lesions) pigs and financial support for measures managing tail biting. Finishing farms were most motivated by the reduction in carcass condemnations and the increase in the price of meat. The results suggest that the desire to produce healthy, well-being pigs also motivated Finnish farmers. According to the calculation model and a hypothetical scenario, tail biting in weaner pig production can cause a loss of up to approximately 32 euros per bitten pig in Finland, taking into account This is a provisional file, not the final typeset article possible effects in the finishing phase, reduced growth, treatment of the tail-damaged pig, and various income losses and additional costs.
