October 2024 - Journal F e - Flipbook - Page 9
Research
Trial pigs in the rural water pen.
Trial pigs in the well water pen.
Trial 2
Validating Findings
Given the dramatic results of the 昀椀rst trial, the
team decided to replicate the study to validate the
昀椀ndings.
This time, the rural water was directly plumbed into
the barn, still, water quality was consistent with the
昀椀rst 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 昀椀rst. 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 昀椀rst 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 signi昀椀cant 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 ef昀椀cient growth.
However, the trials also raised important questions
about the speci昀椀c 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.
WATER
FALL 2024 | 9
