A North Carolina State University study found that rerouting feed and livestock trucks between pig farms could significantly reduce the spread of costly swine diseases, even without effective cleaning and disinfection.
Using data from more than 1,600 farms, researchers modeled truck movements and applied a ranking system that considered factors such as delivery timing, cleaning status, outbreak locations, and farm communities. The model then rerouted vehicles to limit cross-contamination, preventing trucks that had visited outbreak farms from moving into other regions. Results showed a 42% reduction in contacts between infected and uninfected farms, suggesting a major potential decrease in disease spread.
While the strategy may increase transportation costs due to more frequent cleaning stops and longer routes, researchers believe the trade-off could be worthwhile for protecting animal health and farm profitability.
Photo Credit: USDA
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