SPECIAL REPORT: Biosecurity in swine production: Impact on animal and gut health
From the 2024 Kemin Intestinal Health Symposium
By Sarah Muirhead
Animal health, and gut health in particular, can be impacted by the level of biosecurity in a livestock production operation, said Dr. Jordan Gebhardt, assistant professor at Kansas State University, at the 2024 Kemin Intestinal Health Symposium.
During his presentation, Gebhardt provided an overview of biosecurity, outlined important components of a biosecurity program and provided details on how biosecurity impacts gut health in pigs.
While biosecurity can add cost and many times the complexity to daily activities, Gebhardt noted that it is critical to consider the overall value of risk reduction as well as the improved health and productivity that result.
In outlining the basic components of biosecurity, Gebhardt listed facility/infrastructure, animal movement, personnel movement, supplies, air, water and feed. These are all things that need to be taken into consideration when developing a program. It starts with setting goals, understanding risks and constraints and then setting a plan to achieve the desired goals, said Gebhardt. Equally important are monitoring success and continuous refinement, he added.
The proof is there. “Biosecurity has consistently shown benefit to reduce pathogen introduction and improve animal performance,” Gebhardt said.
From a gut health standpoint, he noted that biosecurity minimizes the introduction of pathogenic agents, helps establish and maintain healthy microbial populations and reduces stress on the pigs, thereby improving gut integrity and barrier function. “Biosecurity improves gut health and animal health,” Gebhardt emphasized.
Diverse and complex
The gut is extremely diverse and contains a complex mix of microbes. In recent years, Gebhardt said, there have been significant advances in characterizing what is “normal” when it comes to the gut. Indications are that certain levels of certain microbial families can make a difference between healthy pigs and not-so-healthy pigs, he said.
So how best to cultivate a healthy microbial environment? Gebhardt said a clean environment for the animals is a given. Feed, water and diet also can play a role. “Establishing robust intestinal integrity with healthy microbial populations is critical,” he noted, adding that improved feed biosecurity equals a reduced risk of pathogen transmission and, in turn, healthier, more productive animals.
Pathogens that have been associated with potential transmission in livestock feed include prions; bacteria; viruses such as porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, African swine fever virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, as well as other agents.
In summarizing, Gebhardt said the frontier of biosecurity the hog industry is currently presented with is how to move beyond the importance of biosecurity for preventing pathogen introduction to that of how best to continue to improve and implement biosecurity for better animal health overall.
Watch the full presentation from Dr. Gebhardt and access all content from the 2024 Kemin Intestinal Health Symposium at kemin.com/symposium.
BONUS COVERAGE
Biosecurity in livestock production can impact animal and gut health. Joining us with those details is Dr. Jordan Gebhardt, assistant professor at Kansas State University.
View our interview
