Bacteria Levels in Hog Barns May Be Higher Than Producers Realize
Many swine producers assume their water quality is acceptable because the water looks clean and pigs appear to be drinking. However, appearance alone does not tell the full story.
In testing conducted by the Customer Laboratory Services team at Kemin, nearly 300 water samples were collected from wean-to-finish hog operations. Of those samples:
Coliforms are indicator bacteria that tell us about contamination by manure, organic material, or biofilm. Aerobic bacteria represent the overall bacterial load in the water system. High levels of either can indicate poor water hygiene and biofilm accumulation, which may affect water quality, animal health, and production performance.1
What Causes Water Quality Problems?
Water quality problems can occur in any operation, regardless of facility age. Older barns may have decades-old waterlines with buildup and residue, while newer barns can experience biofilm formation if waterlines are not routinely cleaned and maintained.
Some factors originate outside the barn, including water source, site location, rainfall, soil conditions, well quality, and mineral content. Other issues originate inside the building, including waterline design, residue from medications, or low-flow nipples.1
McDanel said many producers do not evaluate water quality until they see obvious problems, such as plugged nipples or recurring health challenges. “In my experience, that is typically the trigger point for producers to administer a one-time additive to try to clean the water,” McDanel said. “But by then, the issue may have already been affecting pig performance.”
Moving from Reactive to Proactive Water Management
Some producers may already be using water treatments such as bleach, chlorine tablets, or acids on an occasional basis. While these programs can help address immediate concerns, maintaining water quality over time often requires a more consistent approach. Continuous water treatment is recommended to help maintain cleaner waterlines, reduce microbial buildup, and support consistent water quality throughout production.1
“Producers dedicate their lives to raising pigs and they take pride in their operations,” McDanel said. “If there is an opportunity to reduce labor strain, support more consistent medication delivery, and increase the number of full-value pigs to market, it is worth evaluating.”
What PRO-OXINE® AH Can Bring to an Operation
PRO-OXINE® AH is a broad-spectrum, stabilized chlorine dioxide disinfectant with proven effectiveness against bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. By continuously addressing microbial contamination within waterlines, it can play an important role in a comprehensive water management program for swine.
In one Kemin study conducted at a high-performing wean-to-finish barn with approximately 1,250 pigs, the use of PRO-OXINE® AH was associated with a steady decline in high total coliform counts, reaching non-detectable levels within six months of implementation. The same farm also showed a 4.5% improvement in average daily feed intake, a 4.8% improvement in average daily gain, and a 3.4% reduction in mortality.³
