Impact of Swine Ascariasis on Feeding Costs and Revenues in Farms associated with the Italian PDOs Dry-Cured Hams Industry

This study performed an evaluation of the impact ascariasis (or A. suum) has on feeding costs and revenues related to payment of carcasses and thighs used for the production of Italian PDO dry-cured hams. Differences in feeding costs and revenues were examined considering production phases (suckling piglets, weaners, fattening pigs and sows) in swine farms differing in terms of production cycle characteristics (farrow-to-finish or growing-to-finish cycles) and A. suum prevalence in the short-medium term (from 2011 to 2014) evaluated by liver milk spot lesions found at slaughterhouses. A. suum indirectly impacts the quality of carcass meatiness and thighs at slaughterhouses. The parasite also drives the exclusion of thighs at PDO dry-cured hams circuits as well as the carcass degradation. The clear correlation A. suum has with increasing feeding costs and reduction of farm revenues (directly linked with fatteners carcass meatiness and thigh quality standards) was demonstrated using GLM. The results provided cues to improving the control of parasites by farm management. In particular, the production of raw ham is very important in Italy, with nearly all pig farms in the country contributing pig thighs to the production of San Daniele and Parma PDO dry-cured hams, so consortia could represent an added value for the Italian pork industry