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Biosecurity in Feed
To ensure the biosecurity of animal feed, both at the point of manufacture of said feed and on the farm where it is finally consumed, a HACCP system must be defined and implemented in the feed factory.
Animal feed can be an important factor in the transmission of microorganisms in livestock farms.
First, hazards are analyzed, which can be biological (microorganisms), chemical (heavy metals or toxins), or physical (stones, metals…), to subsequently identify the critical control points where the hazards can be controlled or eliminated.
In a feed factory, there are several control points:
RECEPTION OF RAW MATERIALS
All trucks must be analyzed upon arrival and samples taken homogeneously with a probe that pierces the raw material from top to bottom, and immediately analyzed, either with NIR, or with a rapid moisture analyzer or mycotoxin kit if available.
The results are compared with legal and technical recommendations related to certain parameters to decide whether to accept or reject these raw materials.
TRUCK UNLOADING AT THE HOPPER
This is the main biosecurity control point for contaminated raw materials, therefore it is the point where fungicidal and bactericidal substances should be applied as a preventive and corrective measure.
STORAGE OF RAW MATERIALS IN SILOS
Silos must have a protocol for emptying, cleaning, and disinfection with products containing glutaraldehyde or orthophenylphenol.
It is important to establish procedures to monitor the critical points of the entire feed manufacturing process:
- The mill
- The mixer
- The granulator The cooler
It is essential to implement pest control protocols (rodents, birds, or insects), maintenance, and cleaning of all facilities since it is necessary to avoid dust generated from received ingredients, milling, and mixing, as this dust provides an ideal breeding ground for fungal and bacterial growth.
The application of combined additive treatments (bactericides, fungicides, or mycotoxin binders) ensures the microbiological safety that thermal treatment does not guarantee at points after granulation.
STORAGE OF FINISHED FEED
For the storage of finished feed, the same protocol as for raw material silos must be followed, regarding emptying, cleaning, disinfection, and identification to avoid cross-contamination between different production batches.
Analyses of the batches of raw material and manufactured feed must be conducted.
It is essential to verify compliance with regulations and that the system is being carried out correctly. To do this, a system of records of all processes and operations performed must be established and supervised.
FEED DISTRIBUTION
It is very important to consider the biosecurity of feed in its distribution in trucks with empty hoppers, vacuumed of feed dust and marked to separate medicated feeds from non-medicated feeds or different feeds for different animal phases and ages.
RECEPTION OF FEED ON THE FARM
At the time of feed reception on farms, it must be explained and required of the farmer that the silos are marked with a number or letter, empty, clean, and properly disinfected for filling with feed and always closed with lids.
Ideally, the silos should be near the perimeter fence of the farm to unload the feed without trucks having to enter the farm.
