ARS | Publication request: AN ON-FARM SURVEY OF SWINE FEEDS AND FEED INGREDIENTS FOR SALMONELLA, AND IDENTIFICATION OF ASSOCIATED HERD RISK FACTORS

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: March 13, 1996
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Samples of feed and feed ingredients were collected from 30 pig farms in eight states and cultured for the presence of Salmonella spp. Information was collected on physical and managerial characteristics of each farm for risk factor analysis. Salmonellae were isolated from at least one feed or ingredient in 14 (47%) of the 30 herds surveyed, representing five states. Of a total of 1,264 samples, salmonellae were recovered from 36 (2.9%). Thirteen different serotypes and two that were untypable were found. The isolation of Salmonella spp. in the feed had a statistically significant association with six of the herd characteristics surveyed, including the lack of bird-proofing measures employed on the farm (p=0.03), using finisher feed that was prepared on the farm versus purchasing such feed (p=0.008), and housing pigs in facilities other than total confinement for the growing (p<0.025), finishing (p<0.025), gestation (OR=27, 95%CI:1.305-555.57), and breeding (p<0.005) stages of production. These data indicate that salmonellae were relatively easy to isolate in the farm feed environment when even a relatively small sample size, compared to the overall volume of feeds and ingredients on the farm, was taken. Additionally, certain management practices may be related to the occurrence of Salmonella spp. in the farm feed environment.