Be cautious when restocking pigs to meet market demand during the year-end season.

Currently, African Swine Fever (ASF) is still spreading rapidly in many localities across the country, including Hung Yen province, causing significant losses to pig farmers. With the anticipated increase in pork consumption during the year-end and Lunar New Year holidays, many households in the province are striving to rebuild and expand their herds to meet market demand. However, specialized agencies advise farmers to exercise caution and strictly adhere to technical procedures and biosecurity measures to minimize the risk of a resurgence of the disease.

People in Doan Dao commune are taking care of their commercial pig herd.

Exercise caution when restocking and increasing herd size.

In Lac Duc village, Tien Lu commune, Nguyen Quang Thuc's family raises 180 sows and 500 fattening pigs, of which about 100 will be sold during the Lunar New Year. Each month, his sow herd produces about 400 piglets, of which he keeps about 100 to raise into market pigs and sells 300 to other farms. Mr. Thuc said: "Sanitation and disinfection are carried out daily by me and my workers both inside and outside the barns. Currently, African Swine Fever (ASF) is basically under control, but I still take precautions to ensure hygiene in the barns and regularly disinfect to protect the livestock."

Similarly, Ms. Le Thi Hong's family in Khoai Chau commune is raising about 300 pigs for meat, hoping to sell them by the end of the year. To prevent disease in her livestock, Ms. Hong raises them in a concentrated area far from residential areas. According to Ms. Hong: "My family's economy depends entirely on livestock farming, so protecting the pigs from unpredictable weather and diseases is always a priority. Currently, I regularly clean the barns, sprinkle lime powder at the entrances/exits of the farm; spray disinfectant chemicals 3-5 times a week to eliminate disease risks in the barns; and supplement vitamins and minerals to increase the pigs' resistance. Every month, I require the workers in the farm to check and vaccinate the animals when they reach the vaccination period to increase the pigs' immunity against certain diseases."

Due to disease outbreaks, low pork prices are a major concern for pig farmers. Currently, live pig prices only fluctuate between 53,000 and 55,000 VND/kg, while the cost of piglets has increased significantly to 2.3-2.5 million VND/pig. Ms. Tran Thi Hoai from Long Hung commune shared: "My family imported 200 piglets more than a month ago, each costing 2.3 million VND. The high price of piglets and the low price of live pigs make restocking and increasing the herd risky, not to mention the increased cost of disinfectants, sterilization, and vaccinations. Despite the difficulties, I am determined to maintain my pig herd, hoping for increased market demand at the end of the year and the stabilization of the disease situation."

Livestock farmers are increasingly focusing on disease prevention and ensuring the safety of their herds. (In the photo: The farm of Mr. Nguyen Quang Thuc's family, Tien Lu commune).

Disease control, safe pig farming.

According to statistics from the Livestock and Veterinary Sub-Department (Department of Agriculture and Environment), the province currently has approximately 1.2 million pigs, the majority of which are raised by small-scale households. Thanks to the decisive involvement of relevant agencies and local authorities, African Swine Fever (ASF) in the province is gradually being brought under control. Many communes and wards have declared the outbreak over, while maintaining disinfection, sterilization, and environmental sanitation to minimize the risk of infection.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, Deputy Head of the Provincial Department of Livestock and Veterinary Medicine, stated: One of the reasons why African Swine Fever (ASF) spread so quickly was due to many small-scale livestock farms with open-style barns, where disinfection and sterilization were not given sufficient attention. In many places, there was insufficient control over people and vehicles entering and leaving livestock areas.

Currently, the province still has 18 communes with active outbreaks that have not yet passed the 21-day quarantine period, but overall the situation is "cooling down". The number of infected pigs that have had to be culled has decreased, the pork market is gradually stabilizing, and purchasing power at traditional markets is increasing again.

Livestock farmers need to focus on biosecurity measures as disease outbreaks remain complex.

This creates favorable conditions for people to restore production and repopulate herds in a controlled manner to ensure a stable supply of pork for the end of the year, contributing to stabilizing the market during Tet. However, Ms. Hoa also warned that the changing weather, humidity, and temperature create favorable conditions for disease outbreaks.

According to Ms. Hoa, livestock farmers should absolutely avoid massive restocking. Restocking and increasing the pig population must be planned and only carried out in farms that meet the necessary biosecurity requirements. Specifically, farmers need to: build enclosed barns far from residential areas and sources of pollution; conduct regular cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization; strictly control the entry and exit of people and vehicles; import breeding stock with clear origins and that has undergone veterinary quarantine; administer all required vaccinations; and isolate newly imported pigs for at least 21 days before officially integrating them into the main herd.

In addition, local authorities need to strengthen disease surveillance, detect and promptly handle outbreaks, especially in high-risk areas. Regular dissemination of information, technical training, provision of disinfection supplies, and guidance on biosecure livestock farming practices should be maintained.

Huong Giang

Source: https://baohungyen.vn/than-trong-tai-dan-lon-de-phuc-vu-nhu-cau-thi-truong-dip-cuoi-nam-3187171.html