Alison Wakeham spoke at the BPEX Innovation Conference.

Air sampling techniques could reduce spread of disease

Techniques used for the early detection of disease in cucumber growing could help indoor pig farmers reduce the spread of disease, according to senior research scientist Alison Wakeham.

Speaking at the BPEX Innovation Conference, Alison explained that rearing pigs in ventilated buildings and growing cucumbers in greenhouses both face similar disease challenges.

"Technology that identifies infectious diseases as soon as possible is important to prevent unnecessary losses. So, scientists have developed air sensors that sample the air and alert growers to bio-aerosols that may be carrying disease."

Viruses, funghi, bacteria, pollen and insects, collectively known as bio-aerosols, can be problematic when growing cucumbers in controlled environments.

"While bio-aerosols don't cause significant issues for cucumbers grown outdoors, in indoor systems they become trapped and this is where the problem starts," Alison added.

"The damp, warm environment of a greenhouse is the perfect breeding ground for the organisms to grow and disease to spread."

Alison believes that air sampling techniques used in cucumber growing could have potential in the pig industry.

"There are more rapid tests being developed for identifying bio-aerosols, and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before this technology is available in the pig sector."

Until then, Alison advised the biggest change pig producers could make was to improve the sanitation of a unit.

"Clean water, fresh air and cleanliness are all you need for cucumbers to thrive and I'm sure that this is the same for pigs. The environment has to be as clean as possible."