When the term biosecurity comes up, many immediately think of on-farm practices. However, the same rigorous principles must extend to other critical points in the production chain, including the feed mill—a potential entry point for disease. At Pipestone Nutrition, we conduct bi-annual audits of 45 feed mills that supply Pipestone-managed sow farms. Our dedicated team focuses on evaluating and implementing biosecurity practices tailored to feed mills to reduce the risk of disease spread. Here are a few easy-to-implement strategies feed mills have adopted, supported by examples of their impact.
The Biosecurity Pyramid
One of the most effective tools in feed mill biosecurity is the biosecurity pyramid. This visual aid helps prioritize feed deliveries by categorizing farms based on health status and ensuring that traffic flow aligns with biosecurity principles.
The concept is straightforward: just as barn chores typically begin with younger, healthier pigs and progress to older or less healthy groups to minimize disease spread, feed deliveries are sequenced similarly. Trucks servicing high-health sow farms early in the week are dedicated to those farms and do not visit lower-health sites until later in the delivery schedule.
After completing deliveries to lower-health sites, trucks and trailers undergo a rigorous process of washing, disinfecting, and drying—ideally for 24-48 hours—before being reassigned to high-health farms.
A Case Study in Biosecurity Lapses
Last year, a gilt developer site placed an emergency feed order. The mill promptly responded to prevent pigs from running out of feed, but the truck used had just delivered to a PRRSv-positive site. As a result, the virus was inadvertently transmitted to the healthy gilt site. While emergencies can and do happen, this situation highlights the critical importance of adhering to the biosecurity pyramid and ensuring proper cleaning protocols, even under time constraints.
Routine Washing and Disinfecting
Much like barns are thoroughly cleaned between groups of pigs, feed trucks and trailers require regular washing and disinfecting to prevent cross-contamination. This practice isn’t limited to the occasional deep clean; it’s a consistent, routine effort that plays a pivotal role in biosecurity.
- Exterior Cleaning and Drying
The exterior of trucks and trailers is washed and disinfected weekly at a minimum or immediately after visiting a disease-positive site. A 24-hour drying period is critical to ensure any residual 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 floor 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 Successful Implementation
This spring, a feed mill in South Dakota faced a significant biosecurity challenge when a large sow farm broke with PRRSv. By dedicating specific 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.
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.
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 Comprehensive Approach
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.
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
- Plan delivery routes carefully. Use a biosecurity pyramid to prioritize high-health farms and avoid cross-contamination.
- Clean vehicles thoroughly and regularly: Exterior washing, disinfecting, and drying, along with interior sanitation, are essential.
- Promote personal biosecurity: Equip drivers and visitors with booties and foot baths to minimize risks.
By implementing these practices, feed mills can significantly 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.
