Crystal Levesque South Dakota State University

Publish Date: June 17, 2022

One of the primary goals on farms is to maximize pig survivability throughout every life stage. This is attained not only by having farm staff competent in animal care, but also by creating a culture that values and cares for people. Excellent care acknowledges the importance of words, behavior, values, and feelings amongst farm caregivers, and thus, incorporates these components in both the content and methodology when training. Studies reinforce that the best way to effectively train staff includes demonstration, mentorship, and verification.

Publish Date: May 2, 2022

Mortality reduces gross income but also changes the cost of pig production. Accurately projecting the impact of mortality on net income is important to determine if the marginal income of lower mortality is greater than the marginal cost of improving mortality. This fact sheet focuses on the potential economic benefit of improving mortality which builds on previous work (Crooks et al., 1993; Holtkamp, 2008; Dhuyvetter, 2014). This calculation is not a trivial task because the economic value of lowering mortalities depends on various prices and production efficiencies.

Publish Date: May 2, 2022

Una buena higiene en sus instalaciones de producción es importante para proteger a las personas y animales del desarrollo de infecciones. Áreas de oficina, la cocina, salas de descanso, baños y las duchas pueden albergar microorganismos (bacterias, virus u hongos) que pueden causar enfermedades. Las bacterias como las pseudomonas, el Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina (SARM) y otras, se consideran un riesgo para las personas que comparten áreas en común. Los trabajadores en granjas porcinas comparten duchas, salas de descanso y otras instalaciones, lo que puede representar un riesgo para la propagación de infecciones entre ellos, así como de transmitir infecciones a los animales. También con todos los desafíos de salud relacionados con el COVID-19, es importante priorizar la protección contra infecciones dentro de las instalaciones de producción animal. Siguiendo algunas reglas simples es posible mantener sus instalaciones limpias y seguras para todos.

Publish Date: May 2, 2022

Good hygiene in your production facility is important to protect the people and pigs from developing infections. The office, kitchen, break room, bathroom and showers can harbor microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, or fungi) that can make people ill. Bacteria such as pseudomonas, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and others are considered a risk for people sharing living areas such as army barracks. Pork production workers share shower and other facilities and may also have some risk of spreading infections among each other as well as transmit infections to animals. Additionally, with all of the current COVID-19-related health challenges, it is more important than ever to focus on protecting farm personnel from infection. By following some simple rules, you can keep your facilities clean and safe for everyone.