When it comes to your pig herd, following some simple biosecurity rules can help keep your pigs healthy and disease-free. Establishing effective internal and external biosecurity measures is key to reducing the probability of your pigs being infected with diseases.
In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, Dr Japhta Mokoele, a qualified veterinarian, explains why practising external biosecurity is not enough to protect your pig herd from the spread of pathogens. Internal biosecurity is just as important.
Mokoele is also a senior lecturer in pig herd health and production at the University of Pretoria. He explains that external biosecurity reduces the probability of the introduction of pathogens; you protect the farm from dangers coming from the outside world.
Meanwhile, internal biosecurity reduces the spread of pathogens once they are already on the farm.
External and internal measures
According to Mokoele, when you look at external factors, consider measures such as physical barriers like fences and signage, banning and introduction of certain types of animals and vehicles from the outside, and quarantining new pigs for 30 days and checking if these pigs are sick.
Internal biosecurity measures to reduce farm infections include managing the pig herd (starting with piglets and moving to bigger pigs), vaccinating new pigs, and cleaning and disinfection to reduce the microbial load.
Mokoele goes into more detail on other measures farmers can take internally and externally.
In this episode, Mokoele also discusses:
- Working closely with veterinarians;
- Watching out for weaknesses in your biosecurity system and more.
Want to know more? Listen to the full episode of Farmer’s Inside Track.
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Option 3: Click here to listen on Google Podcast.
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