News Animal Health
Research: Protecting feed from foreign animal diseases

Kansas State University swine researchers are reporting positive results on three processes that aim to lessen the risk of a foreign animal disease entering the United States in plant-based feed or feed ingredients.

While the researchers acknowledge that foreign animal disease may be more likely to enter the country with the animals themselves, feed – including soybeans, corn and others – also raise concern in the livestock industry.

“African Swine Fever and Classic Swine Fever are devastating viral diseases affecting swine, and the risk of introducing these viruses through feed and feed ingredients is well documented,” said Jamil Faccin, a post-doctoral researcher in K-State’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry.

Olivia Harrison, a K-State graduate research assistant in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, said previous research has shown that once contaminated feed enters a mill, the virus persists for multiple batches of feed, remains on equipment and can be found on non-feed contact surfaces throughout the mill. | READ MORE