There are four routes to consider:

1. Mass medication
2. Change in pig flow - which could be to a completely different batching system (For example: Three week batching)
3. Partial depopulation
4. Full depopulation and repopulation

Protocols
These notes are to be issued in
combination with Biosecurity Protocols

Standard down times:

• This depends on the diseases to be eliminated. For instance with Swine Dysentery it should be a minimum of 8 weeks
• For routine restock 6 weeks would be the suggested minimum

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Depopulation:

Depopulation means total removal of all pigs and their products from the farm for the down time period

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Procedures:

1. Rodent control should start and be vigorous. See Rodent Control Protocols. Place water near baits to encourage intake.
2. Pig Flow ? calculate the required pig flow model to allow the farm to legally maximize its output. Aim where possible to achieve all-in/all-out in all parts of the farm, in particular finishing area. Consider all possibilities including batch farrowing to achieve all-in/all-out.
3. Obviously as animals are sold, buildings become empty and they are to be cleaned and repaired as they become empty.
4. Run down all stocks of medicines, feed and disposables
5. It will probably be necessary to arrange stockperson schedules to ensure that ?dirty? stockpeople do not enter ?cleaned buildings? .

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Cleaning Buildings:

1. See Pressure Washing protocols
2. Pay particular attention to the removal of all fecal material. The building should be brushed down thoroughly and then dry cleaned using a knife and scrape to remove all visible feces. The small amounts should be removed with a dustpan and brush. This has to be very thorough and on your hands and knees.
3. Remove dust by vacuuming where possible
4. Areas of particular note ? pigs have long tongues
   - Under and around gate posts and gates
   - Corners at the back of pens
   - Around fittings i.e. farrowing crates
   - Under drinkers and troughs
   - Where cracks and holes exit in the concrete
5. Repair all large cracks and holes in concrete by
   - Cleaning out where possible
   - Pouring a suitable disinfectant
   - Once dry repair by screeding over with concrete
6. All wooden partitions and removable objects should be soaked in disinfectant for a period of 3 to 5 days using metal baths. Place outside in sunlight to dry
7. Drain and clean the slurry channels and pits. Remove all available feces. Sometimes this is impractical but it is essential to clean to 30 cm below the removable slats
8. Ideally lime wash all surfaces especially up to 2 meters and spray with Vircon S using a knap sack sprayer into the ceiling and loft areas. (Lime washing protocols)
9. Ensure that the water supplies are adequately disinfected.
10. Repair all equipment to the necessary standards.

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Water:

• Ensure adequate flow is obtainable from all drinkers.
• This may necessitate replacement of all pipelines.
• Ensure water pressure adequate around the system

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Air:

• Ensure all ventilation system thoroughly cleaned.
• All fans must be checked that they perform as required.
• Repaint all the blades.
• Check fan speeds with a tachometer and volt meter

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Floor

• All floors must be none abrasive.
• All sharp points are to be removed or covered.
• Note worn doorways, concrete under water points and around feeders, in particular wet feeding systems.
• All holes and cracks are to be repaired worn rough slats to be repaired or replaced

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Feed

• Ensure all feeders work as required.
• All old food needs to be thoroughly removed and sharp edges smoothed.
• Any holes repaired and if feeders leak and cannot be repaired they must be thrown away.
• Feed is the major cost and any waste should be avoided

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Vermin

Bird proof all buildings where possible (future Salmonella controls)

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Cleaning when farm unit is empty

• Ensure unit perimeter secure (High Health protocols)
• Finish cleaning the last building
• Dispose of all medicines, needles and syringes. This should include all medicines
• Remove all disposables from the farm, including all feed. Empty all feed hoppers and feed bins. Ideally all feed should have been eaten
• Surfaces: Ensure all surfaces are cleaned. This must include the fridge, chemical store, feed stores, changing rooms and staff room
• Midden area
  - Spread all the midden materials and lagoons and slurry store
  - The soil within the proximity of the midden area has feces still remaining from the old unit.
  - Skin off this area to a depth of 80 cm.
  - Spray the soil with disinfectant and then rescree over the 80 cm of soil
• Straw and other bedding: Old straw remaining from the old unit should be moved and disposed off as this can harbor mice/rats from the old unit
• Dogs and cats
  - Discuss dog and cat protocols.
  - Treatment may be required depending on the diseases to be eradicated
• Tractors: Ensure all tractors and equipment, in particular muck spreading and bob cats, are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected
• Burn all straw and used bedding
• Dispose of all brushes, shovels and scrapes
• Dispose of all overalls, boots and protective clothing
• Purchase clothing for the new clean unit

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Cleaning Entire Farm:

1. Pressure wash all buildings
2. Lime wash all buildings
3. Fumigate all buildings
4. Seal all buildings as each building becomes clean
5. Dispose of all clothing, boots and purchase new when whole farm finished

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After fumigation:

1. Restore water supplies and check all drinkers work.
2. Note: when water supplies cleaned deposits can block the drinkers
3. Ensure rodent controls are maintained particularly at the perimeter of the farm

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New stock introduction and biosecurity

1. The new stock require isolation procedures (Gilt and boar introduction)
2. Note the biosecurity requirements: these obviously vary depending on the health of the incoming stock (Biosecurity protocols)

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