Dr. Megan Niederwerder, head of the Swine Health Information Center, has led nearly 20 research projects focused on wean-to-harvest biosecurity. In a recent project, Dr. Niederwerder explored ways to improve motivation and compliance among personnel, particularly animal caretakers, on swine farms. The approach involved rewarding personnel and providing support and performance feedback from supervisors to those responsible for executing biosecurity protocols, ultimately enhancing biosecurity measures.
Dr. Niederwerder’s work represents a fresh perspective on biosecurity practices in the swine industry. By emphasizing the importance of personnel engagement and compliance, she aims to optimize biosecurity protocols and minimize the risk of disease transmission in swine populations.
In an interview with Brownfield at the 2024 World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Dr. Niederwerder discussed the potential benefits of her research for the swine industry and the importance of ongoing efforts to promote biosecurity awareness among stakeholders.
“By focusing on personnel engagement and compliance, we can create a more effective biosecurity program,” said Dr. Niederwerder. “This not only helps protect the health of swine populations but also ensures that producers are meeting their responsibilities under regulations.”
Dr. Niederwerder’s work highlights the critical role that personnel play in maintaining biosecurity on swine farms. By improving motivation and compliance among animal caretakers, producers can reduce the risk of disease transmission and ensure that their operations remain compliant with regulations.
“We need to prioritize education and training for all personnel involved in swine production,” said Dr. Niederwerder. “By doing so, we can create a culture of responsibility around biosecurity practices.”
