Final Report Released on Industry-Wide Assessment of Bioexclusion Practices Across US Swine Farms

Research conducted by Iowa State University shows biosecurity and bioexclusion practices vary across the different phases of pork production. The final report has been issued on a study conducted through the Swine Health Information Center Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Research Program, funded in partnership with the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research and Pork Checkoff, under which researchers with Iowa State University gathered information on biosecurity practices for use in creating a rapid-risk assessment tool that could be used by pork producers to improve on-farm biosecurity.

SHIC Associate Director Dr. Lisa Becton says 21 herd veterinarians from 13 states representing 36 hundred nursery, wean to finish and finish sites were surveyed.

Clip-Dr. Lisa Becton-Swine Health Information Center:

Some of the questions that were asked focussed on bioexclusion practices but also on-site characteristics, vehicle movements, people movements, manure removal, water usage or entry into the farm, sanitation and mortality management.The survey really did hone in on the specifics of practices to create that base line.For example, 93 percent of folks surveyed said they utilize all in and all out production.

Over 65 percent use offsite mortality disposal but it was noted that almost 50 percent visit multiple sites per day so that is of concern.Well water is utilized from 87 percent of production surveyed but only 64 percent use treated water.A lot of these things are really important to assess for baselines.
Other key things were, 100 percent of weaned pig trailers were washed between loads but only 78.3 percent of market loads were washed and 52 percent disinfected between loads so there are differences between production types.

Dr. Becton says data gathered through the study was used to develop a tool to rapidly asses site biosecurity and identify key areas that that can be worked on to reduce risk.Information on the bioexclusion practices study can be accessed at swinehealth.org.