Page 47 of articles about facilities-equipment

Genetic selection over the last few decades has resulted in pigs with better feed conversion and leaner carcasses, but it has also led to pigs with a decreased ingestion capacity.

Any failure in a cleaning and disinfection programme costs money. This comes from the costs of the programme, the loss of its potential benefits and very probably the costs of disease the failure has allowed to occur. It is also very disappointing for the management and staff of the farm who have done the hard work, and the veterinarian who is trying to ensure healthy efficient production.

When designing farrowing rooms, sows can be placed in different ways: facing inwards, facing outwards, with aisles both in front and behind the crate, or on both sides of the aisle.

The European Welfare Quality® project has developed systems to objectively evaluate animal welfare on farms and slaughterhouses in order to identify the causes of deficient wellbeing and to assess farmers on possible improvements.

In previous articles we have discussed the need for good cleaning and disinfection, how to clean properly and how to disinfect. Now we come to the agents used, and it is vital to realise that the right choice of detergent and disinfectant is a pivotal part of any cleaning and disinfection programme.