Feed Raw Materials
It is crucial to effectively control Salmonella contamination as early as possible in the feed chain. Feed raw materials are processed, handled and transported multiple times before use, which intensifies the environmental contamination of these products.
Oilseeds at the Extraction Plant
The processing of oil seeds generates a lot of dust and heat. Dusty, warm and humid conditions in the extraction plant are very suitable, not only for Salmonella survival, but also for the rapid multiplication of Salmonella. Storage conditions often favour post-production contamination of oilseed by-products.
Seaports and Other Reception/Destination Points
Imported oilseed meal and fish meal are frequent sources of contamination.
Compound feed Salmonella contamination
Contamination of compound feed by Salmonella is not uncommon, even in feed that has undergone heat treatment. Re-contamination after heat treatment may occur at any stage after heat treatment (such as cooling, conveyance and transport) as the heat-treatment cannot provide any residual effects.
Salmonella contamination in feed transport vehicles
All vehicles used for transporting incoming raw materials and compound feeds must be subjected to regular cleaning and sanitising programmes to ensure hygiene at all times.
Salmonella contamination inside silos
Condensation, wild birds, insects and rodents produce an environment capable of supporting growth of Salmonella and other pathogenic bacteria inside silos. For this reason, effective control measures are important to prevent contamination in silos.
Feed Mill Salmonella Contamination
Surveys of the prevalence of pathogens in the feed chain have shown high Salmonella prevalence in dust samples from pre-heat and post-heat areas of the mill, as well as inside the pellet cooling systems.
