Farm Biosecurity: More Important Than Ever

— Written By
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

Biosecurity on the Farm

The health and well-being of the pigs cared for on a daily basis is the number one priority to a hog farmer. The spread of infectious diseases and viruses can result in decreased production on the farm and increased mortality rates. Biosecurity is a combination of management practices that helps prevent the transmission and introduction of diseases into a herd. Each farm should follow specific biosecurity protocols set forth in their overall herd health management plan developed by the farmer and a veterinarian. All pig farms, regardless of size should be registered with a premises identification number (PIN). It does not cost farmers to register.

Highlighted below are some of the important biosecurity measures used by farmers year-round. Proper implementation of external and internal biosecurity practices is vital.

  • Vehicle movement from farm to farm presents a major opportunity for the transmission of an infectious disease or virus. Producers are wise to take every precaution concerning all vehicles entering their farm and ask that they be thoroughly washed, cleaned, and disinfected before entering.
  • Anytime new animals arrive at a facility, there is a risk of transmission of an infectious disease or virus. New swine arriving should be quarantined immediately and farmers should only accept swine from reliable sources that can validate their health. Once the swine have been quarantined, producers have the opportunity to assess their health for themselves and make necessary adjustments.
  • Proper sanitation of equipment and facilities is a critical component in a biosecurity plan. This means the cleaning, disinfecting, and drying of any equipment used in or around the barns.
  • Physical barriers such as fencing can offer a defense against infectious diseases and viruses entering the farm. Swine barn locations with open areas could consider the addition of physical barriers. They can assist in minimizing on-farm rodents, human traffic, and wild animals such as feral hogs.
  • Lastly, reducing the number of visitors to your farm to a bare minimum. When visitors must come, they should be given and follow specific biosecurity protocols concerning entry and producers must make sure the instructions are followed.

Written By

Max Knowles, N.C. Cooperative ExtensionMax KnowlesExtension Agent, Agriculture - Livestock Call Max Email Max N.C. Cooperative Extension, Sampson County Center
Updated on Aug 11, 2021
Was the information on this page helpful? Yes check No close
Scannable QR Code to Access Electronic Version