January 2025 - Journal Final - Flipbook - Page 11
Nutrition
pathogens are eliminated before the vehicle is
reassigned to another site.
• Interior Sanitation
The truck cab is often overlooked, but it’s just as
critical. Drivers are expected to wipe down surfaces,
wash 昀氀oor mats, and disinfect the interior daily.
This practice ensures that any pathogens picked
up during deliveries are contained and eliminated
before the next route.
A Case Study in Personnel Biosecurity
The same South Dakota feed mill mentioned earlier
went a step further by requiring drivers to wear
disposable booties at every site and installing dry
foot baths at all mill entry points. These measures,
combined with vehicle biosecurity protocols,
successfully isolated PRRSv to a single site,
safeguarding the remaining 70,000 spaces the mill
served.
A Case Study in Successful Implementation
A Comprehensive Approach
This spring, a feed mill in South Dakota faced a
signi昀椀cant biosecurity challenge when a large sow farm
broke with PRRSv. By dedicating speci昀椀c trucks and
trailers to that site and strictly enforcing washing and
disinfecting protocols, the mill successfully prevented
the virus from spreading to four additional sow farms,
protecting the health of thousands of pigs.
The strategies discussed above—sequencing
deliveries with a biosecurity pyramid, routine washing
and disinfecting of vehicles, and enforcing personal
biosecurity measures—form a comprehensive approach
to feed mill biosecurity.
Foot Baths and Disposable Booties
Biosecurity isn’t just about vehicles and equipment—it’s
also about the people moving between sites. Whether
it’s a veterinarian, nutritionist, or feed delivery driver,
every individual plays a role in minimizing disease
transmission.
• Booties and Danish Entry Systems
Disposable foot booties are a simple yet effective
tool. Visitors slip them over their shoes before
exiting vehicles and entering barns to prevent
tracking pathogens from previous sites or other
locations. Many barns also incorporate Danish entry
systems with benches or foot baths containing dry
disinfectant.
• Feed delivery drivers follow similar protocols. Given
that they often visit multiple sites in a single day,
the use of booties and dry disinfectant foot baths is
critical.
While the principles may seem straightforward,
their execution requires commitment, planning, and
attention to detail. Feed mills must work closely
with farm managers, veterinarians, and nutritionists
to ensure these practices are integrated into daily
operations.
Key Takeaways for Feed Mills and Farmers
1.Plan delivery routes carefully. Use a biosecurity
pyramid to prioritize high-health farms and avoid
cross-contamination.
2.Clean vehicles thoroughly and regularly: Exterior
washing, disinfecting, and drying, along with
interior sanitation, are essential.
3.Promote personal biosecurity: Equip drivers and
visitors with booties and foot baths to minimize
risks.
By implementing these practices, feed mills can
signi昀椀cantly reduce the risk of disease spread,
protecting both individual farms and the broader
swine industry. Biosecurity isn’t just a farm-level
responsibility—it’s a collective effort that involves
everyone in the production chain.
WINTER 2025 | 11
