Effect of porcine circovirus type 2 vaccine on postweaning performance and carcass composition

Objective: To evaluate the effect of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccination on average daily gain (ADG), mortality, carcass fat depth, loin depth, and percent lean. Materials and methods: Pigs were weighed and ear-tagged 2 days prior to weaning to examine the influences of PCV2 vaccination on ADG, mortality, and carcass composition. Within litters, pigs were matched in pairs by gender and weight. Matched pairs of pigs were randomly allocated to Vaccinated and Control groups. Vaccinated pigs received a PCV2 killed baculovirus vector vaccine at weaning (approximately 3 weeks of age) and 3 weeks later. Pigs were weighed again at the end of the nursery phase and prior to marketing. Carcass data from the two groups of pigs were collected and compared. Results: Overall ADG was higher for Vaccinated pigs (630.5 g per day) than for Control pigs (580.6 g per day; P <.001). More Vaccinated pigs (93%) went to primary markets than did control pigs (79%; P <.01). Vaccinated and Control pigs did not differ in carcass fat depth, loin depth, or percent lean (P >.05). Implications: Under the conditions of this study, PCV2 vaccination has a large impact on growth rate and on the proportion of pigs going to primary markets, but not on carcass fat depth, loin depth, or percent lean, measurements that are used to determine market value.