There are 10 simple steps to bolstering biosecurity in a hog operation, according to Patrick Webb, DVM, National Pork Board director of swine health programs.
Use proper signage at your farm. Identify disease control areas so visitors recognize which areas are off-limits to them. You can also designate specific areas for visitor parking. “Make sure these areas are away from parts of the farm where swine are housed and manure is contained,” Webb says.
Use a visitor log consistently. Require visitors to sign the log and include their name, full contact information, arrival and departure times and purpose of their visit. Make sure regular service providers, including veterinarians and feed truck drivers, sign the log. “This information is critical if there's a swine disease outbreak and traceback is required,” he says.
Require appropriate downtimes for visitors with previous swine contact. As swine production systems vary, work with your veterinarian to establish appropriate downtimes that visitors with previous swine contact must observe before entering your farm.
Require employees and visitors to wear clean coveralls and boots. To ensure proper biosecurity, consider stocking coveralls in small, medium and large sizes. Also make sure clean coveralls and boots are worn each time employees and visitors move to a different premises.
Do not share animal or waste handling equipment such as chutes, trailers, skid steer loaders and manure-spreading equipment to limit the spread of disease. Clean and disinfect all equipment between use.
Establish a plan for introducing new animals onto your farm including quarantining new animals. Work with your veterinarian to devise a workable plan.
Change boots and coveralls after visiting animal concentration points. Take special care after visiting sales barns or buying stations to change boots and coveralls and to wash your hands prior to working with your own pigs.
Maintain animal movement records. List the contact information of buyers and sellers, the number and date pigs are moved onto your farm, their origin and premises identification number, if available.
Manage biosecurity between animals on the farm. Chore the youngest animals first and end with the oldest animals. Chore healthy animals before sick animals.
Be a good neighbor, respect others' biosecurity practices and make sure others are aware of your biosecurity practices.