Just got scamed for $650 on a boar

[RedHogs]

I recently purcheased a GOS boar for an AI stud from a registered "breeder" who had impecable references and a vet letter included and then brought the hog home and put him in a stall in the horse barn on a separate farm where my dad will feed him while in quarintine so as to not risk contamination. I've had him checked twice...He is positive for PRRS, I contacted the owner and they didn't even know what prrs was - I educated them. I have never been to an organized sale that didn't have prrs gaurantee - i offer one in writing, every reputable breeder offers one. They don't. I sent them the lab reports, they won't shut up about their organic certification... and how their stock must be healthy. I contacted several people who referred me to them and they are livid as they have recently brought in stock from them. I have a customer who buys a boar a season from me.... but won't pay till the bloodwork comes back clean...and you thought that I was paranoid...I have a new way of doing business. I won't asssume anything again. My only consilation is... I 've told enough people...(mainly their customers) to put them out of business - and my next boar will make their old customers my new customers.
If they had just given me back my money- I would have just gone away and I wouldn't have told anyone... very stupid people.

He brought 46 dollars at the sale barn.....which is why you don't buy breeding stock at the sale barn.

[diehard47]

I am new to pig raisin and would you tell me what 'prrs' is?

[tyusclan]

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome.

I tried to post a link, but it didn't work. I'll try again.

[tyusclan]

Try this:

http://www.ext.vt.edu/news/periodica...7/aps-665.html

[BobK]

that sucks RedHogs!

Thanks for the link! Before I go and look it up do you happen to know off hand what symptoms a feeder pig would show if infected with this disease. i'll explain my reasons/concern after I have found out what the symptoms would be.

[Up North]

RedHogs - Your experience shows that just because livestock are raised organic does not gaurantee good health or disease free.
Any other diseases that a sow herd should be tested for?

[RedHogs]

I test 3 ways.... psuedo and brusillosis. These are the only two diseases that are required to be validated and qualified. Prrs is easily checked from the same blood sample. They check for it by looking for the antibody count.

The link above show good info on symptoms but is out of date..... many now think that circo2 is PRRS part two. like many other diseases it may well have a second wave - but this is unproven. I had a speaker on herd health say that in 1995 40% of the nation's hogs were infected. That number is down to about 15% now with most farms refusing to buy untested stock. the remaining infected hogs are in low number herds and outdoor lots. I'm not saying homesteaders or small farms caused the disease ( it cam from germany to canada to US large farms) but the remaining herds are untested and the owners unknown which makes finding them or even knowing what the real # is impossible.

[Up North]

Redhogs, just to clarify you are saying that testing your breeding herd(sows, gilts, Boars) for pseudorabies, brucellosis, and prrs would be a reasonably complete program?
Now a Hypothetical scenario: Let's say you have done the testing, and the main breeding group is in the clear. When you go to sell their offspring, would you test gilts or boars being sold for breeding stock prior to sale? Or is it reasonable to assume that if their parents are clean they would be clean?
How about litters that are sold for feeder pigs or butcher hogs that are strictly for meat hogs, that will be in somebody's freezer within 12 months? Would you spend the time and money to have these tested?

Not trying to argue here, sincerely desire to understand the best way to implement a whole-herd program as disease control is a serious matter.

The folks that sold you the GOS Boar should have given you a full refund of the purchase price no questions asked. Then they should have either forfeited the salvage value of $46 for your expenses incurred or come and transported Boar away at their cost upon receiving Lab Results.

[ladycat]

Originally Posted by Up North

RedHogs - Your experience shows that just because livestock are raised organic does not gaurantee good health or disease free.

That's for sure. Organic or conventional, people need to know what they're doing.

[RedHogs]

UpNorth, As to your question.... Most states do 95/5 testing once your are on a program. This means a few (5%) are tested every 90 days. The most logical choice for me for this 5% is any new boar and new gilts... or a gilt from each group of new gilts. If you have a good tight bio-security program your breeders should be fine. I only retest sows if i don't have any others to fit the 5%....Their daughters will show their health status. Keep in mind PRRS can be passed thru AI semen, so check with who you are using .