Proper sanitation protocols foster healthier pigs

As a leader in biosecurity solutions since 1982, Neogen® has years of experience developing the appropriate sanitation solutions required for pork production. When it comes to proper protocols in swine facilities, we’re eager to share our expert insight and solution recommendations. A reliable sanitation protocol calls for two essential steps: cleaning and disinfection.

“All disinfectants perform better in a cleaner environment. Therefore, the importance of cleaning before disinfecting cannot be overstated. The presence of organic soil creates unique obstacles for the disinfecting process. From a microbiological standpoint, the charged molecules in organic soils will surround the disinfectant molecule and prevent the disinfectant compound from reacting with the organism.” — Stuart Heller, Technical Sales Manager for Neogen Animal Safety

Why sanitation matters

Proper sanitation is essential for many reasons. Your facility must receive proper sanitation to eliminate the spread of bacteria and disease for both employee and animal health. Thorough sanitation prevents the transmission of fecal matter residues and harmful pathogens from impacting your swines’ health and ensuring a quality product for your customers.

Neogen recommends using a cleaner to degrease and descale fecal matter and other unwanted contaminants, followed by a strong disinfectant to kill the remaining bacteria and pathogens with the two-step sanitation protocol. 

“We take the convenience equals compliance theory very seriously, and for a good reason. Both Synergize® and Barnstorm® are user-friendly products. They are non-irritating and non-corrosive at recommended dilutions. The old thinking that “’a product that burns real bad and smells real bad must be working’” is OVER! The medicine doesn’t have to taste bad to work well.” — Stuart Heller

Solution recommendations

For cleaning, we recommend Barnstorm, a heavy-duty concentrated cleaner and descaler with a unique blend of specially formulated acids and a high-foaming detergent designed to remove organic and inorganic soils from surfaces before disinfection. 

For disinfection, we recommend Synergize, a broad spectrum, high-foaming disinfectant proven effective versus gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi. Synergize has been at the forefront of biosecurity for over 15 years and is the standard by which all others are measured. When checking the boxes for disinfection criteria, Synergize is the premium choice: it is non-corrosive, maintains germicidal activity under farm conditions, competitive price, and is proven effective against a broad spectrum of swine specific disease, including PRRSv, PEDv, FMD, and PCV2.

Reviewing your protocol

Here are the six steps in reviewing your cleaning and disinfecting protocols:

1. Evaluate PPE compliance
2. Use the proper concentration of cleaner
3. Inspect the room after cleaning
4. Inspect the room after power washing
5. Use and ensure the proper concentration of disinfectant
6. Inspect the room after disinfecting

“You cannot piecemeal biosecurity because of the many modes of transmission: air, water, visitors and personnel, farm animals and rodents, wild animals, vehicles, fomites (inanimate objects, i.e., small equipment), and insects are all potential sources of cross-contamination. If left unattended, the disease introduced by these vectors will become too great for natural immunity to overcome. At this point, producers are compelled to move into the treatment phase (antibiotics) which is both expensive and very unpopular with the consumer.” — Stuart Heller

Visit our Neogen Animal Safety website for more solution information and sanitation protocol tips.