A couple of human errors… 🤦

Viruses, including the African Swine Fever (ASF), have been shown to live in and be transmitted through animal feed – as was found in a recent study conducted by Kansas State University professor and veterinarian Dr. Jordan Gehardt, that assessed viral transmission from people and feed trucks.

• Since human error was verified to be the biggest cause of viral proliferation, it seems that increased biosecurity protocols related to the movement of people and vehicles may be the industry’s best defense against contamination in feed mills and livestock feed.

Dr. Scott Dee, a veterinarian, and director of research at Pipestone Veterinary Services in Minnesota, offers some proactive biosecurity tips for reducing the risk of disease transmission in feed mills.

• They include the sanitation of trucks, installation of barriers to prevent spilled materials from entering the feed mill while unloading, dry foot bath powders at high-risk entry points, and the creation of separate driveways for arrival and departure.

The virus might enter a feed mill through feed ingredients, but check out the previous news in this edition for more on that.