SPRING SUMMER BONUS MAGAZINE 2026

Figure 8: Illustration of a 2-way rotational and 3-way terminal cross The 2-way cross is self-replacing and focuses on resilience over output, but requires intensive management. The 3-way cross requires more space to manage breeding groups and access to good boar genetics. Healthmanagement and biosecurity In free-ranging, the key to healthy animals lies in preventative health management as well as a quick response time. Biosecurity plays a key role in protecting the herd from potential disease threats, as free-range systems face greater exposure to diseases and wildlife contact. Perimeter fences can be a great method of deterring wildlife before they come into contact with your herd – providing one extra barrier of protection. Having only one entry point on the farm provides more control over your access point. One controlled access point for disinfecting vehicles and people is easier to manage than multiple entry sites. Biosecurity measures such as footbaths and sanitisers can still be used upon entry to the farm and between different camps – although these may not be effective in rotational grazing systems. A good vaccination schedule should be in place to prevent outbreaks of major diseases. Although more tedious in free-range systems, vaccinations are worth the effort for the reward of a disease- free herd. Common vaccinations include those against African Swine Fever, Erysipelas and Parvovirus. Deworming should also be done regularly to control internal parasites. Due to environmental exposure, free-range herds can have increased parasite loads compared to commercial herds. Rotational grazing can help to reduce the parasite load because pastures are given a rest period where the host (pigs) is absent. Continued monitoring of the quality of the water supply can help to identify bacterial contamination early on, before the effects become severe. Figure 9: Example of a biosecurity checklist www.agribonus.co.za Spring/Summer 2026 BONUS 81