Performance in an Experimental SPF Herd

Disease free or SPF swine production has received increasing attention in recent years as an attempt to improve the environment under which pigs are produced. SPF procedures were developed to combat specifically atrophic rhinitis (AR) and virus pig pneumonia (VFF) which have been very costly to swine producers over the last several years. These diseases are transmitted principally by pig-to-pig contact once a herd is infected, or a clean herd is infected by introducing infected animals such as replacements for the breeding herd. A producer can unknowingly infect his herd by introducing apparently healthy, but actually carrier animals. Certified SFF herds, which must be maintained free of AR and VFF as determined by inspection at slaughter, are a source of clean breeding animals for these two diseases