Beliefs, Behaviors and Practices of Farm Biosecurity in the US Swine Industry

Risk perception and behavior can vary how different production systems manage diseases and implement biosecurity measures on their farms. However, in integrated systems such as the US swine industry a degree of uniformity in biosecurity management may be beneficial in preventing introduction and mitigating disease spread. To understand beliefs, behaviors and practices on farm biosecurity among swine producers in the US swine industry we conducted an online survey among swine producers and farm managers in the Midwest US region. From 54 online questionnaire respondents, 48.1% said they implemented some biosecurity measures and 72.2% felt it was important to always have enhanced biosecurity measures in place. More than half (53.7%) felt that their veterinarians’ opinion on biosecurity was most important and 37% did not feel the need to adjust their biosecurity despite the global threat of African swine fever. Almost all (90.7%) respondents were sometimes/always confident that in case of an outbreak on their farms, they would be able to contain it. However, based on the recommendations by the SPS biosecurity plan, none of the respondents actually practiced enhanced biosecurity. Regular biosecurity assessments and review of biosecurity practices would be beneficial to the management of both endemic and foreign diseases in the US swine industry.