Losses to Internal Parasites in Swine Production

Abstract

Experimental infections of pigs with Strongyloides ransomi, Stephanurus dentatus, Ascaris suum, Oesophagostomum spp. or Trichuris suis at increasing levels generally decrease daily gain and increase feed to gain ratio linearly. At lower, subclinical levels of infection, the feed to gain ratio typically is increased 3% to 6% by an infection. Based on low-level experimental infections with A. suum, the economic loss to producers in the U.S. from increased feed to gain ratio is estimated at $155 million annually.