The industry is in an awkward time. Profitable futures typically signal an investment of capital in additional production. However, with the multitude of constraints this year (permitting timing, construction cost, building supply availability, labor, feed costs) are tempering that strong green light to expand. As we veterinarians talk with producers, the discussion for projects in 2021 have mostly moved to internal farm updates, including biosecurity improvements.
Transportation biosecurity continues to be a significant risk to the industry. I observe that approximately 90% of grow/finish coronavirus breaks happen during transportation events, marketing or placing pigs. This makes me believe that sow herds will commonly suffer from a similar route of introduction, and we must make this process better.
We have better understanding, over the past few years, that the line of separation in a loadout is not absolute. When moving pigs, flicking of manure and pigs circling back off the trailer happen. Use of a product called GloGerm™ has proven that it is extremely common for us to contaminate chutes and our boots during the loadout process. This is a very cheap and effective way to teach and audit your own processes by placing the powder at the back of the trailer prior to the movement. After the loadout is complete, utilize a blacklight to identify contamination of the barn and your boots.
This realization has changed the standard for loadouts from a line of separation into a staged loadout procedure, with two lines of separation. A caregiver is stationed in that zone with boots, coveralls and gloves that are specific to that zone. That individual controls the initial line of separation from the farm into that loadout area. They push those animals up to the second line of separation, which is traditionally between the chute and trailer. After the loadout is complete, an immediate wash and disinfection of that area take place.
Other considerations when optimizing loadout biosecurity include:
1. Easily washed surfaces – loadouts need to be constructed out of concrete floors and walls.
2. Temperature control – loadouts need to be kept at room temperature to prevent freezing and allow further disinfection through warmth and drying.
3. Easy access to pressure washer and disinfection – if the equipment is not readily available, washing of the loadout will not be completed in a timely manner. Farms are mounting 110V electric pressure washers on the side wall of the loadout or dedicating a hose and wand with hookup to their central system.
4. Drainage – no pooling of water and drains that accommodate washing.
5. Holding capacity – the ability to get the whole load pushed into a room and then complete the loadout adds another layer of biosecurity. This is commonly used in our filtered farms. There is also the ability to add positive pressure to ensure sawdust from the trailer is not pulled back into the farm.
The implementation of staged loadouts has been relatively slow, mostly due to layout constraints. Early summer is an excellent time to evaluate biosecurity and where improvements in processes or capital can be spent to maintain a healthy farm.
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