Episode 51 – Trailer contamination at harvest facilities

In this podcast, Swine Extension Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke speaks with Lucas Ferreira, Master’s student in Veterinary Science in the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine about his research on trailer contamination at the harvest plant facilities during the unloading of market hogs. The study includes two harvest facilities that Lucas and others visit regularly through the year to collect environmental samples from the unloading dock and trailers to analyze for pathogens, such as PRRSv, PEDv, PDCoV, and SVA. The research also includes talking to the drivers about their biosecurity practices. In the podcast Lucas gives preliminary results and explains the research is ongoing. Year 1 of 2 has been completed.

Learn more about trailer contamination at the harvest plant facilities during unloading of market hogs as featured in the podcast.

• Assessment of PEDV Trailer Contamination at the Harvest Facility blog post on Minnesota Swine News.
• SHIC-Funded study quantifies trailer contamination risk at harvest plants posted in Swine Health and Information Center website.

Listen to podcast Episode 51: Trailer contamination at harvest facilities (~ 34 minutes, recorded March 19, 2026)