Small hog lots avoid a lot of salmonella

Isabel Harris and Matthew Erdmann, along with a group of other researchers, surveyed 50 traditional family farms in the Mid-West ranging in size from 20 to 150 sows. The pigs were all raised on open lots using management procedures with varying risks of contributing to salmonella. None of the farms used antibiotics.

 

They found that those practices alone did not necessarily lead to a low salmonella prevalence. The research indicated that practices like the use of meal feed and straw bedding, low stocking densities and rodent control all contribute to control salmonella levels.

 

Another practice suggested is the 'all-in, all-out' procedure after which the facility is properly cleaned. This helps prevent infection in new animals.

 

According to the Iowa State University study, about 42% of small farms surveyed use the all-in, all-out method.