While a given, the outbreak of PED virus raised the focus of bio-security beyond the barn needing some special attention.
Tyler Jutzi, the Vice President of Brussels Transport, told the London Swine Conference the introduction of PED to the province created a considerable difference in bio-security.
“Five or six years ago we hardly had to wash any trailers at all. Hardly any of our producers wanted to spend money on washing,” said Jutzi. “As soon as PED hit, we had to start washing 75 percent of our trailers immediately, build new wash space, hire new wash staff making a huge difference in the way we do business today.”
He said a well appropriately designed utilized Danish Entry is one of the most effective defences against the spread of swine diseases.
Jutzi said a proper Danish Entry provides a way for drivers to get into their clean trailers and prevent any outside contamination from getting into those trailers.
It creates a clear line of separation, and it allows the driver to change into his coveralls and boots inside out of the elements,” he said. “It’s 2019; drivers shouldn’t have to climb into a trailer anymore and get soaked in the process. We should be able to build good enough entrances that these drivers are comfortable and safe while changing and then that line of separation needs to be clear, the barn staff needs to keep it clean so that we’re not doing all this work changing and then changing into a dirty system.”
Jutzi said; first, they should have steps instead of a ladder to get into it because steps are much safer for the driver to get up carrying his tote with him.

• The doors to get in should swing outward so that you have the entire inside space to change.
• The bench should be clean so the driver can sit down on a clean surface and change into his clean boots.
  *The clean area must be clean.
  “The loading area should have a double gate, so one gate that swings back across the hallway to stop any pigs from going back into the barn once they are past you and then a second gate that swings back to cover the entrance into the change room area when you go to chase those pigs in,” he said.
  Jutzi said most systems have one gate to stop the pigs from going back into the barn, but they don’t have a second gate to prevent the pigs from going into the change area.
  He also addressed some critical factors in preparing the pigs for loading.
  “Producers should take hogs off feed at least eight hours before shipping. A hog with an empty stomach loads better and doesn’t make the trailer as dirty,” said Jutzi. “I like to use the metaphor of someone doing a 5K race for the first time. If you’re going to run your first 5K race, you’re not going to do it on a full stomach. You’re not going to eat a huge meal right beforehand.”
  He said everyone could agree that a pig getting loaded on to a trailer is the most stressful time in its life and should not be packed full of feed but instead taken off feed eight to 12 hours beforehand. The recommended method by the government is currently 36 hours without feed, going down to 28 hours.
  “So if you’re shipping hogs to an Ontario plant, you have 28 hours from the time those hogs are without feed before slaughter. You’re never going to reach 28 hours. There’s no way,” said Jutzi. “Hogs are much easier to move, a driver has a much easier time getting them into the trailer, closing the gates, getting them off the trailer. They run off way easier if their stomachs are empty. You have a much cleaner trailer at the end of the day, which helps reduce the spread of PED and other diseases. A clean trailer is easier to wash for the next load. It’s easier for me to clean my boots and coveralls for my next load. It keeps the plant docks and receiving assembly area docks cleaner. And reduces the risk of cross-contamination with other trucks there as well.”
  He said these steps are essential to keep the drivers happy and keep them employed in the livestock transportation industry.
  “Honestly, any driver with a truckers licenses in this day and age can go to any company and get a job at the snap of their fingers. Whether that’s a drive in freight, flatbed freight or livestock, so we need to give these livestock drivers a reason to stay in livestock. We need to make the job easier for them,” he said. “We’re also coming up to a huge driver shortage. The majority of the good, trained livestock drivers in the industry are over the age of 55. So in five to 10 years, most of them are going to retire; we need young people to come in and replace them in this industry. So we need these improvements, to give them safe, easy ways to get in the trailer. We need to give them a way to stay cleaner while they’re doing the job. And a cleaner driver is a happier driver.” •
  — By Harry Siemens