The current COVID-19 pandemic has caused everyone to rethink their actions and protocols related to biosecurity, not only for their pig farms but also for their personal protection.
For Jarrod and Shari Bakker of Dike, Iowa, biosecurity is a high priority. They’re working to make sure their three children share the same commitment to good biosecurity practices.
The industry can have all the rules or standard operating procedures in the world, but keeping farms protected comes down to human behavior and the decisions farm owners and employees make every day.
High-quality drinking water is an essential component for the health and efficient production of pigs, says Eric van Heugten, PhD, a professor in the Animal Science Department at North Carolina State University.
Producers and veterinarians don’t often think of water as a nutrient, since nutrients are usually associated with feeding. In reality, it’s likely the most important nutrient.
Protection related to animal health and food safety issues begins at the farm level, and the acronym “IRS” plays an important role: isolation, resistance and sanitation.
Specific, effective biosecurity protocols need to become part of your standard operating procedures. Take the steps to ensure all employees know how important they are.
Rodents can cause major problems due to destruction and contamination of food, in addition to disease spread, say two experts at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
In this time of heightened biosecurity awareness, the importance of an effective disease barrier system for rodent control in and around hog buildings can’t be overstated.
Key elements of a successful biosecurity program are often neglected, says Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt, DVM, a professor at the University of Montreal in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada. You can change that outlook.
