Loading and Unloading Chute and Loading-Out Area

Loading and unloading pigs is most likely one of the most common ways to bring disease into a minimal-disease herd.

The loading and unloading chute and the entire load-out area are a serious biosecurity risk for pathogens to enter the farm. Some suggestions for minimising the risk of diseases entering the farm at the load-out area:

  • The loading and unloading chute and loading area should be situated on the perimeter of the pig unit and away from pig buildings and lots. It has been suggested that the loading area should be 20 to 50 m from any area containing pigs. Thus, commercial vehicles used to haul livestock do not enter the farm.
  • The only vehicles allowed to travel the road that connects the production unit to the loading and unloading area are farm vehicles.
  • Design or redesign the loading and unloading area so that:
    • The livestock transport driver can easily and continuously see the loading chute from the left side of the transport vehicle when backing up to the chute.
    • There is easy control of pig movement, and the pigs cannot return to the building or loading area.
    • There is no physical contact between farm workers and the livestock transport vehicle and the transport driver. If the pigs are loaded directly out of a building, the farm workers should not exit the building; plus, the transport driver should never enter the building.
    • The transport driver can load the pigs without any assistance from farm personnel.
    • The area can be easily cleaned and disinfected after each use. If cleaning is done by farm workers, cleaning should be done at the end of the day so workers do not need to re-enter the farm or buildings that day.
    • The cleaning water drains away from the unit.
  • The vehicle used to remove animals from the farm should always arrive clean, disinfected, and empty.
  • The transport driver should provide and wear clean clothes or coveralls and boots. This requires the driver to maintain a clean box and a dirty box for boots and outerwear used during the pig transfers. If clean and disinfected boots are not provided for the livestock transport driver, provide a bucket of clean water, a cleaning brush, and disinfectant (Roccal-D Plus) “soaking boot bath.” After the driver has appropriately cleaned the boots (all manure removed), have the driver place the cleaned boots in the disinfectant boot bath for five minutes. Renew the boot dip solution every time the loading bay is used. During the winter months, provide the driver with appropriate clothing and boots.
  • Ideally, the loading or unloading chute should be enclosed, bird-proof, have a lockable door on the truck end, and a means to be heated after washing to prevent freezing during the winter months. Freezing temperatures reduce the effectiveness of disinfectants.
  • Workers need to have discipline in accomplishing loading area biosecurity. The development and posting of the protocol for use and washing the loading area is advisable.
  • A dean-dirty line should be established for the driver and farm personnel based on the biosecurity methods employed.
  • Bump chutes or off-site loading or unloading areas are used by some production units to further separate the over-the-road haulier from the farm. This requires shuttling the pigs to the loading area.
  • Do not use the load-out area to hold dead animals for pick up by the dead animal truck.

 

Manure Disposal and Waste Management 

Many important diseases and parasites can be transmitted by manure or urine, either directly or indirectly, via contaminated clothing and equipment. The pathogens responsible can be classified into four major types: bacterial (such as salmonella and E.coli); viral (such as PRRS, TGE, hog cholera, and foot and mouth disease); protozoal (such as coccidiosis); and parasitic (such as roundworms). Fungal diseases, such as aspergillosis, are less likely to be shed in manure but may be present in contaminated bedding and litter. The use of sawdust or shavings can be a threat to bacteria. To reduce the risk of spreading disease via manure or urine, prevent contamination of feed and water.

  • Plan and install a manure system to prevent environmental contamination and comply with your state’s acceptable agricultural practices.
  • If pigs are housed outdoors, maintain clean water troughs, water bowls, and feed troughs.
  • Use separate shovels, forks, or loader buckets for handling manure and feed operations.
  • Remove manure frequently from barns, yards, and holding areas to prevent the completion of life cycles by intestinal parasites and flies.
  • Control the fly population. Methods include flypaper, parasitic wasps, and insecticides (baits and sprays).
  • Store manure so it is inaccessible to pigs, especially young pigs. The most popular method for storing manure is the deep pit under the floor. If a lagoon is used, the pipe used to carry the manure should be rodent-proof to prevent rodents from entering the building.
  • Prevent runoff of adult manure to young pig rearing areas or contamination of feed fed to young pigs.
  • If slurry is spread onto fields or pasture, pigs should be kept off the land for at least three weeks.

Because production costs and manure value have increased, more producers are contracting professional handlers and hauliers. However, hiring custom labour and equipment creates the risk of introducing disease. Improper sanitation procedures between farms can potentially spread a number of diseases. Ensure manure management equipment is properly maintained and cleaned, especially if being used at several farm sites. Wash all exterior surfaces of manure handling equipment; check that they are visibly free of organic matter before arriving on a farm. The operator should not enter the farm buildings and should not come in close contact with farm personnel unless they remain outside the perimeter until overnight and shower. Ogejo and Maguire (2010) prepared a very useful publication on nutrient management for small farms.

 

Herd Health Management

  • Employ veterinary services to help implement herd health programs.
  • Immediately report any unusual signs of illness to your veterinarian.
  • As recommended by your veterinarian, vaccinate pigs against certain diseases.
  • The health of all pigs should be monitored daily.
  • All sick animals should be treated immediately.

It is inevitable that in every swine production system, animals will become ill or injured and euthanasia will be necessary. Euthanasia is defined as a humane death without pain or distress. Because it is usually impossible or impracticable for the veterinarian to be available for all on-farm euthanasia, producers often need to perform humane euthanasia.

A publication (On-Farm Euthanasia of Swine Recommendations for Producers) that describes the various approved methods to humanely euthanise pigs can be obtained from the SAPPO’s website as indicated in the reference section. Euthanasia should be performed when:

  • The animal has an inadequate or minimal prospect for improvement after two days of intensive care and treatment.
  • The animal is severely injured, non-ambulatory, and unable to recover.
  • Any animal that is immobilised with a body condition score of one on a scale of 1 to 5 (Karriker et al., 2006).

 

Facility Maintenance

It is always a biosecurity risk to allow service personnel into a pig unit to perform repairs. Therefore, good quality materials and equipment should be used in pig buildings. The equipment should be easy to wash and long-lasting. Other factors related to facility maintenance and biosecurity are:

  • Off-farm maintenance personnel must be educated on the importance of biosecurity and follow all required farm biosecurity protocols.
  • Any necessary tools or materials brought in to fix facilities should be new. If used equipment is required, it needs to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before entering the facility.
  • Replace fly bait and trapping tape routinely and when necessary. Knockdown and residual sprays are needed during the summer months. Follow EPA, state, and local requirements. If the pigs are in contact with the insecticides, use only those approved for livestock preparations and follow withdrawal regulations.
  • Be aware of hiding and denning places for rodents.
  • Inspect and repair holes in buildings to prevent rodents from living in them.
  • Remove piles of boards, wood, trash, or other junk from the interior and exterior of buildings.
  • Keep farm grounds mowed and free of brush, weeds, or high grass.
  • Check for rain and stormwater damage.
  • Identify and correct manure runoff problems.
  • Remove standing water, which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
  • If pigs are housed outdoors, check fences along farm and pasture perimeters. Damaged fences should be repaired. If appropriate, use 4-strand high-tensile electric fences wherever possible.
  • Make changes to bird detractors or other control methods as needed.
  • Replace bird netting where needed and change bird detractors so that birds do not ignore their presence.

 

Maintenance of Biosecurity Programme

  • A critical review of the measures in place to prevent the entry of disease and the spread of disease within and between herds should be conducted regularly.
  • Constantly be aware of any diseases in the area and adjust the biosecurity programme to meet specific needs.
  • Train new workers so they clearly understand the concepts of biosecurity and its implementation on the farm.
  • The success of a biosecurity and farm security plan is strongly influenced by the quality and the quantity of communication among all people involved with the farm and pig operation. It is important to hold regular meetings (such as quarterly or twice per year) that are convenient for everyone involved with the pork operation. A meeting involving everyone indicates the importance of biosecurity and security of all farm enterprises. Provide a setting in which everyone feels free to ask questions or mention concerns about the current biosecurity and security procedures. They need to clearly understand that teamwork is the key to a successful biosecurity and farm security plan.
  • Be an excellent neighbour by visiting with your neighbours and respecting their biosecurity practices. In addition, make sure your neighbours are aware of your security and biosecurity practices.
  • PPE is specialised clothing worn by an employee for protection against exposure to pathogens and chemicals.
Pig Health and Biosecurity