Biosecurity is a combination of management practices designed to prevent the introduction and transmission of diseases and disease-causing agents into a herd. Protocols associated with a biosecurity plan can include barn equipment and transport vehicle/trailer sanitation, rodent control, worker and visitor entry policies and general farm security measures.
Perspective: Biosecurity Starts at Home
The risk of disease increases when pigs from different barns come together at shows. It’s important to have a site-specific biosecurity plan to reduce this risk. Showman should also stay home if they are sick to prevent spread of illness.
“There’s no wash-in and wash-out scenario for shows, so starting with biosecurity at home and doing your part at home will make a big difference,” says Katlyn Cain, NPB manager of industry relations and frequent livestock judge.
Cain says she recognizes when a pig is or has been sick while she’s judging a show; she encourages showmen to keep the animal home if they aren’t fit for the show or not being represented to their highest degree. Additionally, Cain recommends maintaining a VCPR, or veterinary-client-patient relationship, with your local veterinarian to help monitor herd health, complete necessary paperwork as directed by show rules, and review biosecurity standards. This touchpoint ensures pigs don’t have any concerns prior to traveling to livestock shows. If your pig becomes sick at a show, it’s vital to inform the show organizers and inevitably the show veterinarian.
“As a breeder, we take extra steps to ensure our show pigs are fully vaccinated and have the proper natural immunity to withstand disease pressure once they leave our farm. From that point, it’s important to reinforce that biosecurity begins when the pig is purchased and should be considered at every stage of development until the end of the project,” said Jesse Heimer, owner of Heimer Hampshires based in Taylor, Missouri, and NPB board member. “Beyond the health of your pigs, it is important to be proactive with cleaning and disinfecting everything needed to transport and show your pig — before, during and after a show.”
Three Biosecurity Tips to Keep Showmen in the Ring Instead of the Sidelines:
- Secure pig spaces from other animals by sealing gaps and using netting or screening to keep out birds and rodents. Clean up bird droppings promptly.
- Wear different clothes and boots when working with show pigs compared to other animals on the farm.
- Quarantine show pigs from the main herd upon returning home.
Perspective: Return to Business Quickly in the Event of an Outbreak
Traceability is another key consideration. If a health issue arises at a show, it’s important to track pig movements before and after the event. To help, the Checkoff-funded AgView tool standardizes and streamlines movement data, supporting rapid disease tracing and containment should an outbreak arise. It is an entirely no cost, voluntary tool where users continue to own and control their data. AgView may also help showmen become compliant with industry regulations if mandatory traceability becomes a standard practice.
“It’s imperative that pig producers and exhibitors understand the need for traceability to assemble for exhibition,” continued Heimer. “I do believe AgView is well positioned to be a hub of information that is needed by State Animal Health Officials to determine where there is a problem, who could have been affected and who might be at risk.”
Maintaining rigorous biosecurity practices is essential for the health and wellbeing of both pigs and people, especially during the show season. NPB emphasizes the importance of starting biosecurity efforts at home by following site-specific protocols and tracking movements with tools like AgView. These measures ensure the safety of pigs at individual shows and protect the livestock industry.
Photo credit Legacy Livestock Imaging
