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Prairie Swine Centre is an affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan
Prairie Swine Centre is grateful for the assistance of the George Morris Centre in developing the economics portion of Pork Insight.
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Assessing Trailer Cleanliness
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre, Production by student on June 19, 2018
Author: Ken Engele, BSA. Prairie Swine Centre
Publication: Centred on Swine, Spring 2018 Volume 24 Number 1
Summary: In order to maintain effective biosecurity it is essential that proper washing and disinfection of the transport trailers occurs. Recent studies have focused on the use of ATP bioluminescence for the inspection of the trailers. Traditionally, microbiological culture method can be used but this takes time as it utilizes plated media. Beneficially ATP bioluminescence displays results in only minutes. A study was done that tested a minimum of 10 trailers per week at two different locations. Through this study a list was developed depicting the advantages and disadvantages of ATP bioluminescence.
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
|
Easy to implement |
Additional step to the cleaning process |
|
Easy to train staff
|
Proper handling and storage of swabs needs to occur for accurate results |
|
Results in employees being more engaged in the cleaning process as they are curious to know how they are doing |
Swabbing could require entering the trailer after disinfecting occurs |
|
Removes some subjectivity from cleaning process |
Samples a small area and does not eliminate visual inspection |
|
Rapid assessment – eliminates significant downtime for the trailer |
Variance in meter reading related to environmental contamination |
|
Trailers that require additional cleaning are identified before leaving the wash bay |
|
|
Meter is multipurpose – can be used to assess cleanliness in other areas of operation |
|
|
Builds due diligence and quality control |
|
|
Fewer rejected trailers at production facility |
Of the two facilities that participated in the study, one will continue to utilize ATP bioluminescence during trailer inspection.