A study funded by the Swine Health Information Center Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Research Program, in partnership with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and Pork Checkoff, assessed pig caretaker motivation and resources for practicing biosecurity in the wean-to-market phases of production. Led by Dr. Michael Chetta at Talent Metrics Consulting, the study revealed that greater emphasis on recognition, rewards, and resources positively influences caretakers’ biosecurity compliance. Additionally, new technologies and improved building designs were found to reduce caretaker demands while simplifying adherence to biosecurity protocols. Researchers observed that caretakers exhibit higher levels of trust when adequate resources, fair compensation, and recognition are provided. Conversely, concerns related to pay, disease threats, and equipment limitations were shown to negatively affect caretaker performance and overall work engagement.
Find the industry summary for Swine Health Information Center project #24-093 here.
Understanding what motivates farm caretakers is key to improving biosecurity. Earlier research provided support for the idea that caretakers generally want to follow biosecurity rules, but their motivation mostly came from within (personal values and beliefs) rather than from outside rewards or recognition. This previous work explored the motivations and barriers that determine whether caretakers consistently perform biosecurity control measures, and identified key drivers of motivation (Attitude strongest, Social Norms weakest), job resources which exert the greatest positive influence (Supervisor Support & Job Control) and least positive influence (Rewards), and the job demands determined to be most strongly acting as barriers which can prevent biosecurity compliance (Physical Workload & Demanding Contact with Animals).
Building on this previous work, the new study described herein conducted a more focused and in-depth analysis of those previously identified variables of interest. Goals and objectives of the in-depth analysis were to conclusively identify the job aspects most important to the role, as perceived by caretakers, and to communicate where pork producers’ targeted interventions would be most efficient and appropriate.