PIC USA, a division of Sygen International, has developed a system to reduce disease transmission associated with livestock trailer movement.
Thermo-Assisted Drying and Decontamination (TADD) is based on a drying process that utilizes controlled heat and airflow to eliminate porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).
TADD works by raising the interior temperature of trailers to 160∞ F. for 30 minutes to speed up complete drying and destruction of any PRRS virus particles, whatever the weather conditions. Four, 2-mil.-btu grain dryers are used for drying.
“The project began over three years ago as an idea by PIC veterinarians and logistics personnel to examine temperature and time required to effectively rid the trailer of this detrimental virus,” says Montse Torremorell, DVM, Health Assurance director for PIC.
At the company's request, University of Minnesota's Scott Dee, DVM, tested the effectiveness of the TADD system and found that it was as effective as overnight drying, but required far less downtime.
In a series of 10 replicates, the TADD system resulted in a 100% success rate in eliminating the PRRS virus in trailers.
Other methods were also tested, including forced air with no heat, a washing-only technique and overnight drying.
While overnight drying performed as well as TADD, its effectiveness was influenced by environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.
PIC has elected to share all design, validation and performance data on TADD for the benefit of the swine industry (www.pic.com/usa).
