Certification Training

Certification Training

Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Plus®
Implementing PQA Plus® will help a producer maintain or create: A high quality pork product for the consumer from a food safety standpoint A safe and productive environment for the swine, you and your employees Increase profitability as an efficient and responsible producer Welcome to the Pork Quality Assurance or PQA Plus producer certification training. Today we are going to take a look at a series of actions and groups of information that are either federally mandated or are known as current best practices for swine production. The overall goal of this training is to share information that applies directly to you as a producer and can help maintain or create: 1. A high quality product for consumers from a food safety standpoint 2. A safer and more productive environment for your animals, yourself, and your employees, and 3. Ultimately, increase profitability as an efficient and responsible producer. We can achieve these goals by following and applying 10 good production practices, also called GPP’s.

We Care: Ethical Principles: Produce safe food
Protect and promote animal well-being Ensure practices to protect public health Safeguard natural resources Provide a work environment that is safe Contribute to a better quality of life in our communities There has been a growing interest among food-chain customers and the general public with the way food is produced. Recognizing that they must address these concerns and better position the industry’s track record of responsibility, pork industry leaders launched the We Care initiative. The We Care initiative seeks ongoing improvement in the pork industry’s production practices, building upon and promoting to those outside the industry its strong record of responsible farming. PQA Plus is the cornerstone of the We Care initiative and is a clear demonstration of the industry’s commitment to responsible farming and continuous improvement. At the heart of this commitment is a statement of ethical principles which asks each and every producer to commit to: • Produce safe food • Protect and promote animal well-being • Ensure practices to protect public health • Safeguard natural resources in all of our practices • Provide a work environment that is safe and consistent with our other ethical principles • Contribute to a better quality of life in our communities

10 Good Production Practices (GPPs)
Let’s explore each of the 10 GPPs. The information on slide is a summary of what you’ll find in the PQA Plus Training Manual. Feel free to follow along in the manual. We’ll use the manual from time to time. This session isn’t intended to cover every detail in the Training Manual rather to provide a good understanding of the key concepts and skills for each of the Good Production practices. Continue to use the Training Manual after this session to learn more. The basis of these good producer practices are drawn from a few different sources. See the introduction in the PQA Training Manual for a listing of these sources. The PQA Plus logo has 10 squares to represent the 10 Good Production Practices. For training purposes, an icon for each Practice has been created to help you quickly reference and recall the information. Let’s get started.

The first of the 10 GPP’s is to use an Appropriate Veterinary/Client/Patient Relationship (VCPR) as the basis for medication decision making. Encourage participants to follow along in the PQA Plus Training Manual. GPP # 1 Use an Appropriate Veterinary/Client/Patient Relationship (VCPR) as the Basis for Medication Decision Making

Objectives for GPP#1 Describe how a veterinarian is vital to the medication decision-making process Identify the three categories of approved drug distribution Define extra-label drug use (ELDU) Distinguish examples of legal and illegal ELDU Define drug compounding and who can compound drugs List examples of residue avoidance practices Explain that this slide explains what they need to be able to demonstrate from their understanding of this Good Production Practice. Review briefly.

Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship (VCPR)
The veterinarian: Assumes the role of making medical judgments for animals and owner Has sufficient access and knowledge of the herd/animals Is responsible for providing continued care The owner/client/caretaker: Follows the veterinarian’s instructions Provides access and documentation The herd medical decisions should be in the control of the veterinarian and the caretaker. If a veterinarian has agreed to evaluate and/or medicate an animal, any instructions for treatment must be followed by the caretaker if the VCPR is to remain valid. Medicating the animal more often, with a different dose or different route of administration than instructed by the veterinarian is illegal. This means that the caretaker has not maintained his/her part of the VCPR and is responsible for those actions. To have sufficient knowledge of the animals to initiate a general or a preliminary diagnosis requires that the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal(s) by virtue of examination of the animal(s), recent diagnostic information for the herd and/or by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal(s) are kept. If a veterinarian accepts the responsibility for the administration of a drug under a VCPR, then he/she also is responsible for providing continued care if needed, even if it is arranged with another veterinarian. The veterinarian must be readily available for consultation and reevaluation of treatment results.

Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship (VCPR)
Key veterinary activities for a VCPR: Development of herd health plan to include appropriate vaccination and treatment recommendations Direct use of pharmaceutical products Extra-Label Drug Use Appropriate vaccination use Participate in record keeping Provide information and support in the case of an adverse event Be available to address herd health changes If the veterinarian is consulted for only a portion of the health program, it is impossible for the veterinarian to know the true scope of the disease challenges and the response to treatments given. Understanding the entire breadth of issues can lead to more timely and accurate diagnosis and facilitate the proper use of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs. Involving the primary veterinarian can also increase the treatment options available.

Extra-label Drug Use - AMDUCA
Federal Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA) of 1994 Permits extra-label drug use by veterinarian with a VCPR Risks are increased, extended withdrawal times may be necessary Treatment records should be kept by the producer for 1 year after the animal is treated Does not include medicated feeds, including VFD feeds A VCPR also increases an operation’s available animal treatment options. With the implementation of the Federal Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA) in 1994, provisions were established by which FDA approved drugs could be legally used in food-producing animals in a way other than expressly directed on the label, but only when a VCPR exists. Veterinarians were given the privilege of extra-label drug use because of their training in physiology, pharmacology, access to scientific literature, and the ability to draw conclusions from their information resources. As a rule, there is no standard source for withdrawal time information for extra-label and prescription drug use; AMDUCA requires that the veterinarian directing extra-label drug use establish an extended withdrawal time so that no violative residue occurs. Treatment records serve as important documentation of when, how and with what drug the producer treated his/her animals. The producer should keep treatment records for 1 year after the animal is treated.

Extra-label Drug Use - Situations
Examples of extra-label use include: Increasing the dosage Changing the frequency or route of administration Changing the duration of treatment Treating a disease or condition not on the label Changing species or life stage on the label Some of these animal drugs may have extra-label instructions from the veterinarian. There are five common extra-label situations. They include: 1. Increase dosages, 2. Changing the administration frequency or route, 3. Changing treatment duration, 4. Treating non-labeled diseases, and 5. Changing the species of life stage. Using a commonly available OTC antibiotic preparation, Procaine Penicillin G (300,000 IU per ml) as an example, let’s look at some common situations where a veterinarian must be involved before using it in any way other than what is on the manufacturer's label: 1. Increasing the dosage. The label dosage for Procaine Penicillin G is 3000 International Units (IU) per pound of body weight. This means the label dose for a 200-pound hog is 2 ml daily when using the usual penicillin product (300,000 IU/ml). If you use this penicillin in your hogs, are you following the label directions or has your veterinarian directed you to use a different dosage for this application? If you are not following label directions, this administration is an illegal action. 2. Changing the frequency or the route of administration. Penicillin G Procaine is labeled for only intramuscular use in swine. Giving it by another route, such as subcutaneously, requires a VCPR and extra-label use and withdrawal instructions from the veterinarian. *Note: Research shows that giving more than 10 ml of penicillin in any one injection site may result in an even further extended withdrawal time, even though the total dosage of penicillin was given as directed. 3. Changing the duration of treatment. The label directions for Procaine Penicillin G are to treat swine for two days after the symptoms are gone but no more than seven days. Do your treatment protocols match the labeled or extra-label directions for each product to be used? If not, it would only be legal if a veterinarian directed it be used this way. 4. Treating a disease or condition not on the label. The only labeled use of Procaine Penicillin G in swine is for treatment of erysipelas infections. Using it to treat anything other than erysipelas is illegal. 5. Changing the species or life stage to be treated. If the Procaine Penicillin G is approved for piglets only, using it at a later life stage, for example in grow-finish hogs, is an illegal use unless directed by a veterinarian, because it is using the drug in a different life stage than what is indicated on the label.

Extra-label Drug Use – Keys to Remember
What is required of producers for extra- label use of medications? An established VCPR for the herd must exist Records showing the instructions from the veterinarian directing the extra-label drug use Documentation in the treatment records showing the application of the veterinarian’s instructions In summary, these requirements must be met for legal ELDU. Show and briefly discuss each requirement. Any extra-label use conducted without any of these requirements makes the practice illegal and creates liability for the producer. And, remember that it is never legal for extra-label use in a veterinary feed directive.

Distribution and Use of Approved Animal Drugs
Animal Drug Distribution Methods Over-The-Counter (OTC) Prescription (Rx) Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) The distribution of approved animal drugs falls into the following three categories: over-the-counter (OTC), prescription (Rx) and veterinary feed directive (VFD). Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be purchased by anyone from places such as farm supply stores, animal health salespersons, catalogs and veterinary clinics. Even though VCPRs are not required if using OTC medications in a manner approved on the label, a VCPR should be the basis for all medication decisions. The producer must use OTC drugs only as specified on the manufacturer’s label unless directed for an extra-label use by a veterinarian. Prescription drugs are those for which the FDA requires professional oversight for labeled usages because of their danger to either humans or animals. These drugs are available only through veterinarians, pharmacists and distributors on the order of a veterinarian. A veterinary feed directive (VFD) drug is an antimicrobial intended for use in, or on, animal feed. Feeds containing a VFD product can only be used with veterinary oversight by a licensed veterinarian issuing a VFD.

Issues with Compounding Drugs
Compounding is the mixing of two or more FDA-approved drugs Withdrawal times are difficult to estimate AMDUCA also allows a veterinarian with a VCPR to compound drugs for the client Veterinarian assumes responsibility for safety, efficacy and withdrawal time of compounded drug Producers and distributers of animal health product may NOT compound drugs Drug compounding is the mixing of two or more FDA-approved drugs to make a different medication for the needs of a particular patient. The mixing of two injectable drugs together in a bottle or syringe is compounding. Because the interactions of the different components may lead to the formation of new compounds or cause destruction and/or precipitation of active or inactive ingredients, setting a withdrawal time is extremely difficult. The use of compounded drugs may result in adverse reactions or deaths of animals. Under AMDUCA, a veterinarian with a VCPR may be permitted to compound FDA-approved drugs following rules very much like those for extra-label drug use. The veterinarian is then responsible for the safety, efficacy and withdrawal time of the compounded drug. Compounding by producers or distributors of animal health products is prohibited.

Residue Avoidance and Testing
Residue Avoidance – follow all label instructions on withdrawal periods and dosage. If the residue status of an animal or group is in doubt, conduct a residue test. This may be due to: ID tags or markings missing Accidental animal access to medicated feed Lost or damaged records Be prepared with a service provider’s information and emergency response plan Residue avoidance starts with the identification and documentation of all treated animals including the date(s) of treatment, the product administered, dosage given and withdrawal time. However, animals sometimes lose ear tags, get out of their pens and have accidental access to medicated feeds or sometimes treatment records are lost or destroyed. When questions arise about the residue status of an animal or a group, testing of live animals is necessary. The risk to your reputation as well as that of the industry far exceeds the cost of having the animals tested before marketing. Because finding a kit or laboratory for this service may be difficult, producers should have a plan of what to do before a residue test is actually needed. Contact information should be recorded in the herd’s emergency response plan. When there is any doubt about the residue status of your animals, test them rather than guessing.

“Local News at 5” – Interview Activity
Answer the questions: What is extra-label drug use? What is required for legal extra-label use? Why is the veterinarian vital in making extra-label use decisions? You, as the producer, are responsible for the product that you send to the marketplace. Let’s some of the key concepts in GPP#1. The facilitator gives the following directions: Find a partner at your table. You’ll take turns playing different roles – a local TV news reporter doing a story on drug use in animal production and the other person will play yourself. When ready, create a made for TV interview using the questions on the screen. Highlight great responses. Clarify questions or issues that arise in the activity.

Sample Test Items for GPP#1
_____ medications can be purchased by anyone from places such as farm supply stores, animal health salespersons, catalogs and veterinary clinics. A. Over-the-Counter B. Prescription C. Extra-label D. Veterinary Feed Directive Using a veterinarian as the basis for medication decision making is part of a(n) _______. A. FIFRA B. AMDUCA C. VCPR D. USCFR Go through sample test items. Correct answers: A. over-the-counter C. VCPR Ask participants for clarifications or questions about the key points in this GPP before proceeding. (Refer to the objectives slide at the beginning of this section, if useful)

Lets take a look at the second Good Production Practice, which is to establish and implement an efficient and effective health management plan. GPP #2 Establish and Implement an Efficient and Effective Health Management Plan

Objectives for GPP#2 Identify the four components of a health management plan Identify the value of a VCPR Summarize the purpose of a herd health plan Define biosecurity Using an example, examine both external and internal biosecurity measures Recognize effective measures of rodent and pest control Identify the plans that should be developed for foreign animal disease and agroterrorism awareness, reporting, and prevention Explain that this slide explains what they need to be able to demonstrate from their understanding of this Good Production Practice. Review briefly.

Health Management Plan
Four components of a health management plan Development of and maintenance of a Vet-Client Patient Relationship (VCPR) Development of an individualized herd health plan Development of a herd-level biosecurity plan Foreign animal disease and agroterrorism prevention To maintain the healthiest herd possible, a health management plan shall be put into place on every production facility. There are four parts to a health management plan that we will explore in the next few minutes. They are: Development of and maintenance of a Vet-Client Patient Relationship (VCPR) Development of an individualized herd health plan Development of a herd-level biosecurity plan Foreign animal disease and agro-terrorism prevention

1. Development of and Maintenance of a Vet/Client/Patient Relationship (VCPR)
Benefits to the producer Active involvement in herd health Provide a professional outside view Opportunity to plan and make informed management adjustments. We identified earlier what a VCPR is and its components. So what is the value of developing a VCPR? A VCPR offers a producer three specific benefits: 1. it makes the producer be active in herd health, 2. It provides an outsider view of herd health from a licensed veterinarian, and 3. It gives the producer the opportunity to plan and make informed management decisions and adjustments. Regular observations of the herd by your veterinarian are not only beneficial in maintaining a healthy herd, they fulfill the requirements of a Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship or VCPR. Your veterinarian can observe the pigs in the production environment, and review vaccination/treatment records in evaluating the current health status of the herd. In addition, any health problems you have noted since the last visit can be discussed and addressed. Many times the veterinarian can provide a “fresh set of eyes” and may observe subtle problems that have gone unnoticed by caretakers seeing it everyday. Regular visits also provide an opportunity for you to plan and strategize with your veterinarian whether you already have a problem or you are trying to prevent them.

2. Development of an Individualized Herd Health Plan
Two major purposes Address potential and current health challenges Help prevent diseases from entering into your herd Plans may: Include periodic health checks Be tailored for a herd and/or specific diseases of interest A herd health plan is designed to address potential and current health challenges and to help prevent diseases from entering into your herd. In consultation with your veterinarian, formulate vaccination and parasite control programs tailored to your herd, considering factors such as the disease profile of the herd, the type of production and facilities. The plan can include the different vaccinations for each phase of the operation and treatment guidelines for common disease challenges observed on-farm.

3. Development of a Herd-level Biosecurity Plan
Biosecurity is a management measure used to prevent the transmission of diseases and disease agents on the farm. External Biosecurity: keeping disease out of the herd Internal Biosecurity: preventing disease movement within the herd Rodent and Pest Control: preventing compromise of external and internal biosecurity measures Biosecurity is a combination of management practices designed to prevent the introduction and transmission of diseases and disease-causing agents into a herd. Procedures that are typically associated with a biosecurity plan include barn sanitation, rodent control, worker and visitor entry policies and general farm security measures. Biosecurity can be either external (keeping diseases out of a herd), or internal (keeping a disease already in one or more segments of the herd from spreading to other segments). However, all biosecurity measures should be focused on the prevention of the entry of unwanted diseases. An example of external biosecurity would be the isolation of incoming animals to test for unwanted diseases such as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRS) or others that are not already present in your herd. An example of internal biosecurity is stopping the movement or cross-fostering of baby piglets that have diarrhea. Rodent and pest control should be included in biosecurity plans as rodents and other pests can compromise both external and internal biosecurity measures. They can bring new diseases into a herd as well as serve as a reservoir of disease affecting a herd. Four elements of effective rodent control include: 1. Denying entrance to facilities and buildings 2. Removing sources of food that can attract and maintain rodent populations 3. Preventing or denying them cover and places to live 4. Baiting/trapping to reduce rodent populations Direct participants to find and review the list of practices in the GPPs. Ask which of these they have helped implement.

4. Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) & Agro-terrorism Awareness, Reporting, and Prevention
FADs are a very serious concern for the entire industry and food supply Contact your herd veterinarian if you have questions or concerns Know and follow the plans your operation should have in place to prevent and report FADs Foreign animal diseases (FADs) are a very serious concern, not only for the health and well-being of the animals, but also for their immediate effect on the movement and sale of pigs. While biosecurity should always be a high priority and producers should always contact your herd veterinarian if you have questions or concerns. It is crucial to be more vigilant if a FAD is confirmed in the United States. Farms should have plans in place to prevent and report FADs. You should know these plans and be following their guidance.

“Call and Answer” Review
What are the 4 components of a health management plan? Why is a VCPR valuable? What is the difference between external and internal biosecurity? Give an example of each. What is FAD and why is it an important issue? What are the four elements of rodent and pest control? What is the benefit of a herd health plan? Facilitator asks the following questions to the group as a whole and seeks out answers, discussing anything that needs further explanation: What are the 4 components of a health management plan? Why is a VCPR valuable? What is the difference between external and internal biosecurity? Give an example of each. What is FAD and why is it an important issue? What are the four elements of rodent and pest control? What is the benefit of a herd health plan?

True or False? Through a VCPR, knowing the disease status of a herd can help your veterinarian create a specific health plan to help minimize the impact of a disease. True False A herd health plan is designed to address potential and current health challenges and to help prevent _________ from entering into your herd. A. low performers B. flies C. diseases D. stress Go through sample test items. Correct answers: True C. diseases Ask participants for clarifications or questions about the key points in this GPP before proceeding. (Refer to the objectives slide at the beginning of this section, if useful)

GPP #3 Use Antibiotics Responsibly
The third Good Production Practice, Use Antibiotics Responsibly, is increasingly important for the industry. GPP #3 Use Antibiotics Responsibly

Objectives of GPP#3 Define the three purposes of antibiotic use in pork production. Identify the five principles for responsible antibiotic use. Recognize the components of each element. Explain that this slide explains what they need to be able to demonstrate from their understanding of this Good Production Practice. Review briefly.

Responsible Use of Antibiotics
The basis for using antibiotics responsibly during pork production involves evaluating their use to protect animal health, optimize effectiveness and minimize the risk of developing antibiotic resistance, thereby protecting public health. The basis for using antibiotics responsibly during pork production involves evaluating their use to protect animal health, optimize effectiveness, and minimize the risk of developing antibiotic resistance, thereby protecting public health.

Antibiotic Purposes Three antibiotic purposes: Treatment of Illness
Control or Prevention of Disease Improve Nutritional Efficiency Pork producers use antibiotics for three purposes: treatment of illness, control or prevention of disease and to improve the nutritional efficiency of their animals so they need less feed to get to market. • Treatment of Illness – The administration of antibiotics to combat a clinical illness. Antibiotics administered for treatment are delivered by injection, in feed or in water. • Control or Prevention of Disease – The administration of antibiotics in animals that have been, or are being, exposed to a bacterial infection, or are in operations that have historically experienced clinical outbreaks of disease at certain production stages. Antibiotics for control/prevention are typically delivered in feed or water. • Improve Nutritional Efficiency – Antibiotics administered to enhance the efficiency of pigs in converting feed to muscle. Antibiotics that improve nutritional efficiency are typically delivered in the feed.

Principles for Antibiotic Use
Principle I. Take appropriate steps to decrease the need for the application of antibiotics. Principle II. Assess the advantages and disadvantages of all uses of antibiotics. Principle III. Use antibiotics only when they provide measurable benefits. Principle IV. There are five principles for antibiotic use that should always be applies when working with antibiotics. The first principle is about establishing a plan to try to avoid the use of antibiotics. Ideally, we try to avoid antibiotic use as much as possible. This saves us time and keeps growth efficiencies high. However, in some cases antibiotics are needed. When that is the case, our thought processes and managerial decision making will move into the next four principles. Fully implement the management practices described for responsible use of animal health products into daily operations. Principle V. Have a working veterinarian/client/patient relationship and follow the responsible antibiotic use guidelines.

Principle I. Take appropriate steps to decrease the need for the application of antibiotics. Principle 1 Preventive strategies can help decrease the need for antibiotics Biosecurity programs Appropriate animal husbandry Hygiene Routine health monitoring Vaccination programs So lets break these principles down. Preventive strategies, such as implementing biosecurity programs, appropriate animal husbandry, hygiene, routine health monitoring, and vaccination programs, can help decrease the need for antibiotics. • A comprehensive herd health plan as described in Good Production Practice #2 is key to maintaining animal health and productivity. Maintaining a healthy herd will minimize the need for antibiotics. This includes talking with your veterinarian about the health status of your herd – how it can be improved and how it can be protected. You should work with your veterinarian to protect the health of your herd. Include an analysis of your vaccination program, your biosecurity protocols, your hygiene practices, your pig flow, and other animal husbandry practices. Review all your medication uses regularly to determine if they continue to be needed. Other professionals should be consulted, as needed, to review your genetics, nutritional and environmental programs.

Principle 2 Principle II.
Assess the advantages and disadvantages of all uses of antibiotics. Principle 2 Other management options should be considered Treat only as long as needed Review the need for continuing preventative antibiotic therapy Consider other impacts of using antibiotics Producers should consider the advantages and disadvantages of all uses of antibiotics, including animal health, welfare, environmental, food safety and economic impact. Consideration should include the potential for development of resistant bacteria that may impact animal and/or human health and the public image of the pork industry. Antibiotic treatment may not always be the most effective strategy. Consider management options that could be as, or more, effective than antibiotics. Medication should not always be the first option in addressing a health problem. 1. Other management options should be considered prior to, or concurrent with, utilizing antibiotic therapy. When antibiotics are needed, remember that management changes and other supportive therapies may increase the effectiveness of the treatment plan. 2. Antibiotic use should be minimized by treating only for as long as needed for the desired clinical response. Work with your veterinarian to create proper protocols for any herd-health regimen that requires antibiotics. 3. Periodically assess the need for continuing preventive antibiotic therapy. Formally review any regimen that includes antibiotics on a regular basis with your herd veterinarian. Assess if there are other management changes you can make to reduce the need for antibiotics. Is the condition that was initially diagnosed, and that required antibiotic treatment, still present? Don’t let antibiotic use become routine. 4. Consider the other impacts, in addition to animal health, of using antibiotics. There are potential impacts of antibiotic use on animal welfare, the environment, food safety and economics. Analysis of risks should include consideration of the potential for development of resistant bacteria.

Principle 3 – Principle III.
Use antibiotics only when they provide measurable benefits. Principle 3 – Assess measureable benefits of all uses of antibiotics Assessing measureable benefits of use for nutritional efficiency should be based on scientific data Your farm should use antibiotics only when they provide measurable benefits. Assess the measurable benefits of all uses of antibiotics. • The FDA does not consider economic benefit in the approval decision. Producers have to assess potential economic benefits for their operation when deciding on product use. • Reduced mortality, morbidity and improved animal welfare are measurable benefits that can result from the appropriate treatment and prevention of disease. • The measurable benefit from increased nutritional efficiency can be reduced days to market, better feed utilization and a reduction in animal waste. • Producers may have the option of supplying markets that require certain restrictions for antibiotics based on marketing decisions. Consider pig welfare, management implications and economic impact of adopting those specified production practices when choosing if you will participate in that market. B. Assessing the measurable benefits of antibiotic use for nutritional efficiency should be based on scientific data. • Data published in scientific journals, university publications, and clinical trials are examples of science-based data that could help in making the decision about using antibiotics to enhance nutritional efficiency. Properly designed on-farm trials can provide reliable data to determine measurable benefits of antibiotic administration. Work with your veterinarian or nutritional advisor to help you design scientifically valid on-farm trials. Improperly designed trials will not provide you reliable information you can use to make decisions. If your herd health or management changes, you should reevaluate antibiotic regimens to determine if there is still a measurable benefit. Review them regularly with your veterinarian and nutritionist.

Principle IV - Compliance
Fully implement the management practices described for responsible use of animal health products into daily operations. Principle IV. Principle IV - Compliance Complete PQA Plus® and fully implement GPPs Follow FDA Compliance Policy Guide Provides regulatory guidance for the development of cases resulting from the use of animal drugs contrary to label directions (“off label use") by nonveterinarians in food-producing animals Also provides guidance on measures that can be taken by non-veterinarians to ensure proper drug use and avoid illegal residues The FDA Compliance Policy Guide , “provides regulatory guidance for the development of cases resulting from the use of animal drugs contrary to label directions (“off-label use") by nonveterinarians in food-producing animals. It also provides guidance on measures that can be taken by nonveterinarians to ensure proper drug use and avoid illegal residues” The full Compliance Policy Guide can be found online.

Principle V Principle V.
Have a working veterinarian/client/patient relationship and follow the responsible antibiotic use guidelines. Principle V Guideline A. Use professional veterinary input as the basis for all antibiotic decision-making. Guideline B. Antibiotics should be used for treatment only when there is an appropriate clinical diagnosis. Guideline C. Limit antibiotic treatment to ill or at-risk animals, treating the fewest animals indicated. Guideline D. Antibiotics that are important in treating antibiotic resistant infections in human or veterinary medicine should be used in animals only after careful review and reasonable justification. Guideline E. Mixing together injectable or water medications, including antibiotics, by producers is illegal. Guideline F: Minimize environmental exposure through proper handling and disposal of all animal health products, including antibiotics. Principle five is composed of a series of guidelines to follow when using an antibiotic. Have participants find these guidelines in the GPPs handbook. Highlight a few key points from each guideline. Guideline A Use an appropriate veterinarian/client/patient relationship (VCPR) as the basis for medication decision-making Prescription and use should meet VCPR The law prohibits extra-label use of antibiotics in the feed, even by a veterinarian Use latest information on animal health care products to optimize the course of antibiotic therapy Guideline B Diagnosis is supported by medical factors Diagnosis includes identification of factors contributing to the cause of the disease Culture and sensitivity results can aid in the selection of antibiotics Guideline C Consider group morbidity and mortality rates when deciding therapy Consider the herd health history When appropriately considered, prevention of disease in at-risk animals is a responsible use of antibiotics Guideline D Consider culture and sensitivity when selecting antibiotics Discuss product options with veterinarian to target appropriate needs Guideline E Water medicators and feeders need to be properly adjusted to deliver the desired dose and avoid spillage and waste. Ensure proper handling and disposal of any outdated or unused animal health products through communication and employee training. Guideline F Proper adjustment of medicators and feeders Ensure proper handling and disposal of any outdated or unused products

“Antibiotics Scenarios” Review
Review the scenario on each card and identify which principle best applies to the situation. As a group be ready to discuss your response. Facilitator distributes “Antibiotic Scenario” cards (set of 5) to each table and gives the following instructions: review the scenario on each card and identify which principle best applies to the situation. As a group be ready to discuss what you came up with. Once the groups have been given ample time to discuss each card, seek answers out loud and discuss anything that may need further explanation

The basis for using antibiotics responsibly during pork production involves evaluating their use to protect animal health, optimize effectiveness, and: A. Minimize the risk of developing antibiotic resistance B. Elimination of all bacteria on the farm C. Decrease the effectiveness of future antibiotic use D. Improve meat color and firmness True or False? The following is a principle for antibiotic use: Use antibiotics as often as possible to ensure maximum benefit. A. True B. False Go through sample test items. Correct answers: A. Minimize the risk of developing antibiotic resistance B. False Ask participants for clarifications or questions about the key points in this GPP before proceeding. (Refer to the objectives slide at the beginning of this section, if useful)

GPP #4 Properly Store and Administer Animal Health Products
The fourth Good Production Practice is to Properly Store and Administer Animal Health Products. GPP #4 Properly Store and Administer Animal Health Products

Objectives of GPP#4 Identify the responsibilities of properly administering products Determine the key components of drug labels and why this information is vital Identify how to properly maintain drug inventory and usage records Identify the three methods of administering medications Distinguish between the five methods of injectable medication Discuss the key elements for a needle standard operating procedure (SOP) Explain that this slide explains what they need to be able to demonstrate from their understanding of this Good Production Practice. Review briefly.

Responsibilities of Properly Administering Animal Health Products
Read, understand and follow label directions when giving any medication. Devise a medication record and animal or group ID system that enables all caretakers to know the medication status of animals prepared for harvest. Identify all treated animals. Keep records for making judgments about marketing animals that have been treated. Use medication records to determine that withdrawal times have been completed. As a producer there are five responsibilities of properly administering and handling animal health products. They are: 1. Read, understand and follow label directions when giving any medication, 2. Devise a medication record and animal or group ID system that enables all caretakers to know the medication status of animals prepared for harvest, 3. Identify all treated animals – Which will be covered further in GPP 6, 4. Keep records for making judgments about marketing animals that have been treated, and 5. Use medication records to determination that withdrawal times have been completed.

Parts of a Drug Label Trade name Active ingredient Indications
Dosage and directions for use Precautions Warnings Withdrawal times Manufacturer’s lot number Expiration date Bring samples of clean, empty drugs with full labels – at least one for every three participants. As you go through the key parts of the drug label explain the importance of that information. For the parts with an asterisk, have participants find and share this information. All animal drug labels will have the following nine parts on them. Trade name to maintain identity of the drug Active ingredient* Indications Dosage and directions for use which also includes storage concerns like temperature and light sensitivity* Precautions Warnings Withdrawal times* Manufacturer’s lot number Expiration date to maintain potency over time*

Drug Inventory and Storage
Keep and maintain a drug inventory. Follow drug storage instruction Avoid the practice of withdrawing an injectable medication from the original glass vial and storing it in a syringe for later use 1. Drugs that we keep on premise should be properly stored and inventoried. Producers are encouraged to keep drug inventory and usage records. Not only will these records reflect trends in treatments by comparing the treatments in one period with another, the records can be used for accountability – do treatment and usage records reflect the inventory records? If purchases far exceed the amount indicated on treatment records, managers should determine if not all treatments are being recorded or if medications are being wasted or stolen. 2. Medication must be stored in a way to prevent contamination. Injectable medications should be kept in a tightly sealed, clean bottle. Clean the rubber stoppers before inserting a needle into the vial. Use only clean needles to withdraw contents from multi-dose vials. Dirty needles can seed the contents of the vial with bacteria or fungi. This contamination can be the cause of injection site reactions and abscesses. Feed pre-mixes should be protected from rodent and water damage. Pesticides, fuels, and other agricultural chemicals must be stored separately from feed additives to prevent accidental contamination. Inspect feed medications before use and discard those that are wet, caked, or clumped. Dispose of unwanted medications properly. Sewage systems and septic tanks are not designed to remove antibiotics from the discharge water. 3. Avoid withdrawing an injectable medication and storing it in a syringe for later use. These syringes are often left unlabeled so one medication may be mistaken for another resulting in unsatisfactory treatment response or withdrawal time mistakes. Syringes do not provide the protection from contamination and sunlight that a colored glass vial does. Additionally, syringes that have been cleaned and disinfected may have a soap or disinfectant residue that can inactivate the drug.

Administering Medication
Orally- Given through the mouth, and can be mixed with water and/or feed Topically - Application to skin Injection – Five possible options The three most common ways to administer swine medications are orally, topically and through injection. ORAL Oral medications are those that are given through the mouth. When a large number of animals are to be medicated, water and/or feed can sometimes be used as vehicles to deliver the medication. These routes are less stressful to the animals as well as to the people giving the medication. Medicated feed may be the method of choice when treating animals for multiple days in succession. There is no risk of broken needles or injection site reactions using this method. When pigs get sick, one of the first signs is often decreased appetite and feed intake, which means feed medication will not work if the pigs are already off-feed. When using medicated feed, all instructions on the feed tag or delivery slip must be followed. Extra-label drug use in feed is not an option; it is illegal. Medications can also be given in the pigs’ drinking water. Medicated water can be delivered to the pigs quickly in those facilities that have a water medicator already installed in the supply line. Veterinarians can legally direct the use of water medications in an extra-label manner, thus expanding treatment options. TOPICAL Some medications are administered by applying it to the skin of the pig. Examples include sprays, dusts, pour-on and dips. Most of the topical medications are for parasite control. Care must be taken to prevent chilling of pigs when using sprays or dips in cold weather. INJECTION Injections are useful when treating individual animals or ones in particular need of veterinary care. Injections may be the only practical way of medicating pigs that are too sick to eat or drink and for some medications that are poorly absorbed from the gut.

Five Methods of Injectable Administration
In the muscle (intramuscular – IM) Under the skin (subcutaneous – SQ) In the abdominal cavity (intraperitoneal – IP) In the vein (intravenous – IV) In the nasal passages (intranasal – IN) Improper injection techniques are a significant cost to the pork industry. Injection site reactions, broken needles, and lack of product efficacy are potential consequences of improper injection technique. There are five ways to give injectable medications to pigs: In the muscle (Intramuscular - IM) Under the skin (Subcutaneous – SQ) In the abdominal cavity (Intraperitoneal – IP) In the vein (Intravenous – IV) In the nasal passages (Intranasal – IN) Have participants review the practices in the GPPs for the five methods of injectable administration. Ask for questions or clarifications of these practices.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Needle Breakage
Needle breakage is an important issue for the industry. You should have an SOP addressing this issue. Considerations: Broken needle prevention plan Identification of animals that are at risk or carrying a broken needle Communication with your packer Disposal of sharps A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for needle breakage for your operation will help address needle inventory and usage in a logical, consistent way. All animal caretakers, including employees and family members, need to understand and follow the SOP. When needle breakage occurs, it must be reported with honesty. Note to PQA Plus Advisor – A PQA Plus Module PowerPoint presentation is available on Needles which goes into additional depth on needles, breakage, reporting, etc…The “Can your needle handle the pressure” chart is included in the binder for your reference.

“Be the Trainer” Exercise
Once assigned a group and SOP consideration, read the practices in the GPP handbook and be ready to share three key points and an example with the other groups. Broken needle prevention plan Identification of animals that are at risk or carrying a broken needle Communications with your packer Disposal of sharps Put participants in four groups. Assign each one of the key considerations of Needle Usage SOP. Explain the directions on the slide and give them 3 minutes to discuss and 1 minute to report back to the whole group.

Where can the producer readily locate precautions and warnings related to antibiotic withdrawal times? A. Pork Safety Handbook B. All of the responses are correct C. The sow card D. The product label _____ medications are those that are given through the mouth. A. Injectable B. Topical C. Oral D. Prescription Go through sample test items. Correct answers: D. The product label C. Oral Ask participants for clarifications or questions about the key points in this GPP before proceeding. (Refer to the objectives slide at the beginning of this section, if useful)

GPP #5 Following Proper Feed Processing Protocols
The fifth Good Production Practice is about following proper feed processing protocols. GPP #5 Following Proper Feed Processing Protocols

Objectives of GPP#5 Identify the goals of feed manufacturing
Differentiate between the cGMP guidelines for medicated and non-medicated feeds Explain the special consideration regarding the feeding of ruminant-derived products Using an example, explain the considerations when calculating the amount of medicated feed to add to the mixer Explain that this slide explains what they need to be able to demonstrate from their understanding of this Good Production Practice. Review briefly.

Goals of Feed Manufacturing
Meets specifications for nutritional composition Meets the desired medication level, if appropriate Is free of contaminants, or contaminants are below established tolerances or action levels The goal of feed manufacturing is to produce feed that do three things: Meets specifications for nutritional composition Meets the desired medication level, if appropriate Is free of contaminants, or contaminants are below established tolerances or action levels

Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)
Provide reasonable assurance that the feed is manufactured accurately There are cGMPs for all feeds and additional cGMPs for medicated feeds. General Categories: Buildings and grounds Equipment Workspace and storage Quality control Labeling Recordkeeping Employee Training A set of guidelines for processing medicated feed, referred to as current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), is designed to prevent feed contamination by approved animal drugs and to provide reasonable assurance that the medicated feed is manufactured accurately. The cGMPs must be followed to ensure safe, wholesome meat products for human consumption. The cGMPs outline the standards for medicated feed manufacturing buildings and grounds, equipment, workspace and storage, quality control, labeling, recordkeeping, and employee responsibilities needed to assure a medicated feed product that is suitable for feeding livestock intended for human consumption.

Additional Keys on Feed Processing Protocols
Ruminant-derived products Measures must be taken to keep cattle, sheep, goats and other ruminants from having access to hog feed if it might contain ruminant-derived products. Mixing medicated feed Proper drug concentrations are important to: Achieve desired benefits of the drug Prevent adverse health effects or violative residues Recordkeeping Producers retain records for two years from date of order. Veterinarians keep VFD order 2 years after animal is treated. Ruminant-Derived Products Pork producers should be aware that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bans feeding of ruminant-derived products, such as ruminant-derived meat and bone meal, back to ruminants. Feed for swine can legally contain ruminant-derived products. The current FDA policy states that cattle accidentally fed ruminant-derived protein are permanently prohibited from use as human food regardless of the withdrawal time or the amount of ruminant-derived protein consumed. Therefore, measures must be taken to keep cattle, sheep, goats and other ruminants from having access to hog feed if it might contain ruminant-derived products. Mixing Medicated Feed When manufacturing a medicated feed, it is important to make sure the feed contains the proper concentration of drug. If the concentration is lower than desired, there may be little or no beneficial effect. If the concentration is higher than directed on the label, there may be health effects on the pigs or violative residues beyond the published withdrawal time. Refer to the manufacturer’s directions to determine the amount of medicated article/feed needed to achieve the desired concentration in the final feed product. Manufacturers provide a table showing the amount of their product that must be added to attain the desired drug use level. Recordkeeping Producers retain records for two years from date of order. Veterinarians keep VFD order 2 years after animal is treated.

“Highlight the Differences” Review
Highlight two additional requirements in the cGMPs for medicated feeds. Use the GPP handbook Work with a partner Research and report on the area(s) assigned to you by the trainer: Equipment Workspace and storage Quality control Labeling Recordkeeping Assign individuals or small groups (depending on size of audience) to look up the cGMP for medicated feeds in GPP#5. Give them 2 minutes to find the answers and 30 seconds to report out. After everyone has finished, discuss any points that need further clarification.

One goal of feed manufacturing is to meet the specifications for ______________ needed for animal growth and development. A. exercise requirement B. safe handling C. nutritional composition D. identification procedures A set of guidelines for processing medicated feed is known as: A. cGMPs B. Linder Guidelines C. PTSDRs D. ABCs of Medicated Feed Go through sample test items. Correct answers: C. nutritional composition A. cGMPs Ask participants for clarifications or questions about the key points in this GPP before proceeding. (Refer to the objectives slide at the beginning of this section, if useful)

We’re past the half-way point
We’re past the half-way point. The sixth Good Production Practice is to establish effective swine identification, medication records, and withdrawal times. GPP #6 Establish Effective Swine Identification, Medication Records and Withdrawal Times

Objectives of GPP#6 Determine the importance of having an effective identification plan Identify the three key components of the Swine ID Plan Discuss why medication records are important Determine the key elements of maintaining mediation records and the key information for tracking treatments Define withdrawal time Calculate a withdrawal time Determine additional sources, other than the label, of drug use information Explain that this slide explains what they need to be able to demonstrate from their understanding of this Good Production Practice. Review briefly.

Swine Identification Records are critical to ensuring animal health and integrity of food supply Without identification, record keeping is nearly impossible Swine ID Plan Initiative for industry standards with three key components: Premises identification Animal identification Animal tracing Caretakers who may be involved in treating pigs, must know and use proper techniques for administering medications, and understand the responsibilities that go along with swine identification, medication records and withdrawal times to a food-producing animal. Each producer shall develop an education plan for these individuals and document the training. Effective Swine ID Even before there is a need to treat an animal, you should decide which methods of identifying treated animals are most appropriate in your operation. You must be able to reliably identify treated pigs or groups of pigs from the time they receive the medication until they have completed their withdrawal time. Without first identifying animals, it is nearly impossible to keep meaningful records. Swine ID Plan The Swine ID Plan is an initiative to implement a set of industry developed and approved program standards, for the purpose of improving pre-harvest traceability and disease surveillance. This plan will help meet increasingly stringent customer demands and will help protect animal health. The program standards are consistent with the federal and state codes of regulations and there are three key components - premises identification, animal identification and animal tracing.

Swine ID, Key Component #1: Premises Identification
Registering a location of where livestock are: Raised Housed Pass through during commerce Locations are given a standardized 7-digit PIN number Premises identification is the process of registering a location where livestock are raised, housed, or pass through during commerce. Once registered, a standardized Premises Identification Number (PIN) is assigned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture after the site is registered through the state. The standardized PIN consists of seven alphanumeric characters with the right-most character being a check digit. This standardized PIN is different than the state-assigned Location Identification Numbers.

Swine ID, key component #2: individual identification
Animals must be identified individually or as part of a group or lot. Breeding animals entering harvest channels must have individual ear tags bearing the location PIN While on-farm, individual animals may be identified with: ID cards Paint marks Tattoos Ear tags Ear notches Animal identification is the process by which pigs are officially identified individually or as part of a group or lot. You will be responsible for officially identifying your swine in compliance with the Swine ID Plan’s program standards, which includes the parameters for officially identifying groups and individual animals. Before the animals enter harvest channels, the standards specify the application of an official ear tag bearing the PIN of the breeding farm for slaughter breeding swine. Methods of identifying treated pigs individually include: A card that stays with the animal. This works best for adults who are housed individually in a pen, crate, or stall. Paint marks – easy to apply and can be used temporarily, but may rub off or rub onto untreated penmates. Tattoo – permanent, but depending on the type the tattoo may be hard to apply and difficult to read at a distance. Ear tag – easiest to see but more cumbersome to apply than some other methods. Ear notches – Permanent, requires familiarization with site-specific system. Medicated animals can also be identified and tracked by: • Pen or room number • Group (building or site) When treated animals are identified by pen, room or group number, it is important that the entire group remains intact until the withdrawal time has elapsed. Any pig removed from the group should be individually identified and their withdrawal time recorded.

Swine ID, Key Component #3: Animal Tracing
Accomplished by keeping and maintaining animal movement records animal's or group's identification number PIN of the sending and receiving premises the date of movement number of head moved the reason for movement Must be maintained three years after animal leaves premises consistent with 9CFR and Swine ID program standards Animal tracing can be accomplished by using the program standards in the Swine ID Plan, which include parameters for group animal movement records to be generated each time movement to a new premises or harvest facility occurs. A movement record would include the animal's or group's identification number, PIN of the sending and receiving premises, the date of movement, number of head moved and the reason for movement. Records will be maintained for three years after the swine leave the premises and will be available to animal health officials for inspection. The three year requirement is consistent with 9CFR and Swine ID program standards.

Medication Records Primary reason: to make sure withdrawal times have elapsed before marketing animals. Provide documentation that demonstrates a drug was used properly Assure packers of proper procedures Can be a useful management tool Records must be kept for 12 months following last day of treatment There are several reasons related to food safety for keeping records of all medications given to food-producing animals. The primary reason is to make sure withdrawal times have elapsed before marketing. Keeping and maintaining records is also a basic expectation of regulatory officials. Medication records provide documentation that demonstrates a drug was used properly. In instances where a violative residue found at harvest has been traced to a farm, the producer will be expected to provide complete medication records to the investigator. Medication records can also be useful as a management tool. Reviewing records can provide insight to questions such as: Are more animals being treated this year than last? Has the response to treatment been effective? Which treatment for pneumonia gives the best response? All these things can be important when formulating disease-control strategies.

FDA Compliance Policy Guide (CPG 7125.37)
Minimum expectations of medical records, per FDA guidance Suggested medical records with additional information FDA Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) – Proper Drug Use and Residue Avoidance by Non-veterinarians outlines the practices and procedures the FDA would expect to see as part of the operations’ standard operating procedure for using animal health products. As one part of this CPG, the FDA expects producers to maintain medication and treatment records that will indicate: The date(s) of treatment, including last date of administration. The animals treated. The drug(s) administered. The route of administration. The person who administered each drug. The amount of each drug administered The withdrawal time prior to harvest. Suggested Additional Information for Tracking Treatments (Table 4.): 1. The approximate body weight of the animal treated to verify that the amount of drug given was appropriate. 2. The medical problem that prompted treating the animal, such as pneumonia, diarrhea, etc. 3. Calculated date the withdrawal will be completed. 4. Extra-Label Drug Use (ELDU). a. Name and contact information of the veterinarian for the ELDU

Withdrawal Times The withdrawal time is the period required for the medication to be metabolized, broken-down, or excreted so that the level remaining in the body of the animal is below the level established as safe for humans. With withdrawal times, consider: Calculating withdrawal time Other sources of drug information Medication information such as compatibility The withdrawal time is the period required for the medication to be metabolized, broken-down, or excreted so that the level remaining in the body of the animal is below the level established as safe for humans. This withdrawal period is established by the FDA based on the results of extensive testing. If the drug has a withdrawal time, it will be found on the label, package insert, or the feed tag. In the case drugs are used in an extra-label manner, the veterinarian must assign an adequate withdrawal time so there are no violative residues at harvest. As a reminder, nearly all vaccines are labeled with a 21-day withdrawal time. If there is a possibility that a pig will soon be sold as food, it should not be vaccinated unless the withdrawal time can be met. Remember to always check the label, package insert, or tag to verify withdrawal times. Also, be sure to understand the medication information and its compatibility with other drugs or conditions.

Scenario Review A drug with a 3-day withdrawal time is administered to pen of pigs through medicated feed. You last filled the feeders with medicated feed at 7 a.m. on Tuesday. At 3 p.m. on Friday you are asked if that pen is cleared to be shipped for harvest. What is your response? A drug with a 5-day withdrawal is administered by IM injection at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10. You are completing the medical record. What is the date and time you enter in the field, “Withdrawal Time Completed?” Facilitator reads through each scenario, gives participants time to work on a response – alone or in pairs/groups, and then discusses at how to arrive at the correct response based on the information just provided. Discuss each answer and review concepts, if needed.

A swine identification plan should include ___________. A. Premises identification B. Animal identification C. All of the responses are correct D. Animal tracing The minimum standards of medication and treatment records defined by the FDA require ______ to be documented. A. The date of administration B. The expected market weight of the animal treated C. From whom the drug was purchased D. All of the responses are correct Go through sample test items. Correct answers: C. All of the responses are correct A. The date of administration Ask participants for clarifications or questions about the key points in this GPP before proceeding. (Refer to the objectives slide at the beginning of this section, if useful)

GPP #7 Environmental Stewardship
The seventh Good Production Practice relates to environmental stewardship which ties into the ethical principles of the “We Care” initiative. GPP #7 Environmental Stewardship

Objectives of GPP#7 Identify the key environmental management practices Discuss the key elements for each environmental management practice Explain that this slide explains what they need to be able to demonstrate from their understanding of this Good Production Practice. Review briefly.

Implementation of Environmental Practices
The goal of environmental stewardship is to protect our natural resources (water, air and land) in all of our production practices. General site conditions Buildings Manure Management Mortality Emergency action plan Inspections Environmental stewardship requires constant attention, commitment and follow-through regarding good environmental management practices. These management practices are fundamental to protection of our natural resources and to being good stewards of the environment and good neighbors in our communities. Federal, state or local regulations may prescribe additional requirements in addition to or as amplification on these basic management practices, and you should always make certain they know and follow those regulatory requirements which apply to your operations. To be good environmental stewards, consider implementing a few basics environmental practices: General site conditions Buildings Manure Management Mortality Emergency action plan Inspections

“Draw and Describe” Review
Review the list of Environmental Management Practices listed in GPP#7 Choose one and using the notecard on your table draw a picture that represents that practice In small groups, go around and guess the practice depicted in each person’s drawing Facilitator gives the instructions listed on screen. Allow 1 minute for drawing and 20 seconds for each round of guessing by the small groups. Highlight a few of the pictures drawn and reinforce the importance of being aware of these practices.

True or False? The goal of environmental stewardship is to protect our natural resources (water, air and land) in all of our production practices. A. True B. False Which of the following is an environmental management practice area? A. Employee performance management B. Manure management C. Feed manufacturing D. All of the responses are correct Go through sample test items. Correct answers: A. True B. Manure management Ask participants for clarifications or questions about the key points in this GPP before proceeding. (Refer to the objectives slide at the beginning of this section, if useful)

Workplace safety is the eighth Good Production Practice.
GPP #8 Workplace Safety

Objectives of GPP#8 Determine how every individual involved in the operation is responsible for a safe workplace Discuss the four steps to controlling on farm hazards. Identify the essential elements of an adequate emergency action plan. Identify key prevention techniques for each major safety area Assess the safety procedures to determine if the plan is adequate enough to prevent a workplace accident Explain that this slide explains what they need to be able to demonstrate from their understanding of this Good Production Practice. Review briefly.

Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility
For a safety program to work, it has to be everyone’s responsibility. If any person does not take personal responsibility for working in and maintaining a safe work area, that person puts himself and others at risk. Everyone working in the barn Owners/operating managers Production managers As one of their ethical principles, U.S. pork producers affirm their obligation to provide a work environment that promotes the health and safety of employees. A comprehensive guide to design, develop and implement a farm safety program, the “Employee Safety Toolkit” is available from Pork Checkoff at Pork.org. Have participants find the list of safety responsibilities for the three roles listed on the slide. This will be located in GPP #8 in the Training Manual. Have them review the list quickly and ask if any of those responsibilities come as a surprise to them. Explain that these are important to remember.

Controlling hazards Four basic strategies, in order of preference:
Eliminating the hazard from the method, the material, the facility or the machine Abating the hazard by limiting exposure or controlling it at its source Training personnel to be aware of the hazard and to follow safe work procedures to avoid it Prescribing personal protective equipment (PPE) for protecting employees against the hazard Most preferred Controlling exposures to hazards is the fundamental method of protecting workers. The basic strategies for controlling workplace hazards, in order of preference per OSHA guidelines, include: 1. Eliminating the hazard from the method, the material, the facility or the machine. 2. Abating the hazard by limiting exposure or controlling it at its source. 3. Training personnel to be aware of the hazard and to follow safe work procedures to avoid it. 4. Prescribing personal protective equipment (PPE) for protecting employees against the hazard. Provide examples of each of these strategies. These four controls are crucial to a safe, healthful workplace for you and your employees because they make it more difficult for accidents to occur and for work-related health problems to develop. Job safety analyses along with descriptions and control methods for the most common hazards found on farms are included in the Employee Safety Toolkit on Pork.org.

Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
An emergency action plan (EAP) will prepare producers to take immediate action when someone is hurt, a fire starts, tornados are imminent or other foreseeable crisis situations At minimum, an EAP should include: Telephone numbers for owner, veterinarian, electric power company, fire and police Address of the facility An emergency action plan (EAP) will prepare producers to take immediate action when someone is hurt, a fire starts or tornados are imminent. In an emergency, time cannot be wasted; it could be the difference between life or death. Each farm should have personnel trained in first aid who can provide immediate care. Employers and employees should be encouraged to take classes in first aid and CPR-AED such as those taught by the American Red Cross and other groups. All employees must be familiar with emergency procedures for the operation. At minimum, an EAP should include: Telephone numbers for owner, veterinarian, electric power company, fire and police Address of the facility

“Can I Get Your Attention?” Activity
Review the list of safety procedures and plans in the Training Manual (GPP #8) and identify three areas that should get more attention in your building. Fire prevention and safety Hearing health and safety Lockout/Tagout program Personal protective equipment Respiratory health and safety Hazard communication plan Machine guarding Electrical safety Slips, trips and falls Safe lifting Personal hygiene Needle sticks and cuts Safe animal handling Prevention is an importance part of keeping individuals safe. Therefore, it’s best to develop safety procedures for all potentially hazardous areas around the farm. Review the directions on the slide. You can have them work together or work individually on the task. Give them 2 minutes to review the information and identify two of the areas. Ask for volunteers to share responses. Ask for questions about the practices and ideas shared in this section.

True or False? An emergency action plan (EAP), at minimum, must include the address of the facility. A. True B. False The most preferred strategy for controlling workplace hazards is to __________ the hazard from the method, material, the facility, or machine. A. attempt to avoid B. maximize C. eliminate D. increase Go through sample test items. Correct answers: A. True C. eliminate Ask participants for clarifications or questions about the key points in this GPP before proceeding. (Refer to the objectives slide at the beginning of this section, if useful)

GPP #9 Provide Proper Swine Care to Improve Well-being
The ninth Good Production Practice is providing proper swine care to improve well-being. GPP #9 Provide Proper Swine Care to Improve Well-being

Objectives of GPP#9 Identify the main types of recordkeeping to help ensure animal well- being Explain the main components of each Perform and document daily observations of animals in their care Describe the farms emergency action plan Operate the site’s emergency backup system Determine the thermal comfort of pigs in their care Explain the importance of good air quality for the health and well- being of the animal Identify the maintenance required for pens, floors, alleyways, chute, feeders, and waterers Describe the different body condition scores Explain that this slide explains what they need to be able to demonstrate from their understanding of this Good Production Practice. Review briefly.

Objectives of GPP#9, cont.
List the factors that constitute adequate body space Identify the main elements of animal evaluation Explain the main components of each Identify the key elements of a euthanasia plan Identify the practices/techniques for a humane euthanasia Define timely euthanasia Recognize common instinctive behaviors of swine Determine proper handling practices and techniques for various size and stages of swine development Discuss the factors that constitute willful acts of abuse Explain that this slide explains what they need to be able to demonstrate from their understanding of this Good Production Practice. Review briefly.

Ethical Responsibility for Well-Being
Every caretaker has an ethical responsibility to protect and promote the well-being of the pigs in his or her care by: Providing feed, water and an environment that promotes the well-being of our animals. Providing proper care, handling and transportation for pigs at each stage of life. Protecting pig health and providing appropriate treatment, including veterinary care when needed. Using approved practices to euthanize, in a timely manner, those sick or injured pigs that fail to respond to care and treatment. Highlight the key points of this overview. Many factors within a pig’s environment influence its overall well-being. Good Production Practice (GPP) #9 will explain these factors and provide strategies on how to implement each one.

Recordkeeping for Swine Well-being
Veterinary/Client/Patient Relationship (VCPR) Medication and treatment records (at minimum) The animal(s) that were treated – animals can be identified as a group when multiple animals are treated. The date(s) of treatment, including last date of administration. The drug(s) administered. The route of administration. The name or initials of the person who administered each drug. The amount of each drug administered. The withdrawal time prior to harvest. Record keeping ensures that practices that promote herd health and swine well-being are being followed. VCPR – As previously discussed, a documented VCPR ensures that a veterinarian is actively involved in evaluating herd health and swine well-being Medication and treatment records – We’ve also discussed these records. They important for swine-well being because over time you will be able to identify trends about overall herd health and identify areas for improvement. Mention each of the items to be recorded and remind them that this is the list of minimum requirements.

Recordkeeping for Swine Well-being, cont.
Caretaker training program including: Euthanasia Animal handling Husbandry Documented Daily Observations: Feed and water availability Seriously ill, non-ambulatory or dead animals Treatment Pen Record keeping ensures that practices that promote herd health and swine well-being are being followed. Documented Caretaker training program - One of the most important factors in animal well-being is the husbandry skill of the people caring for the animals. The knowledge, training and attitude of the caretaker are the foundation upon which animal well-being is built. There are at least three areas common to all production system training programs that address swine well-being. They are: euthanasia, animal handling, and husbandry. Documented daily observations - The best way to fully assess the pigs’ environment and health is to walk the pens daily. Have participants turn to the Training Manual and find the section on Documents Daily Observations. With a partner have them identify two key points from each of the following sections: Recording Daily Observations Feed and Water Availability Seriously Ill, Non-Ambulatory or Dead Animals Treatment Pen

Emergency Support Written emergency action plan (EAP)
Covers various emergencies – fire, weather, power outage, etc… Should include: Address of facility and telephone numbers for owner, veterinarian, electrical power company, fire and police Emergency detection system Alarms for power failure, drastic temperature changes Facility location may allow for visual detection Emergency backup system Automated intervention in the event of a mechanical ventilation failure Test backup system regularly Swine well-being means being prepared for times of emergencies, too. There are three important components of emergency support. Written Action Plan In case of an emergency, quick communication is important. The previous GPP provided details of what should be included in this plan. Emergency Detection System Suitable alarm systems should warn of power failures or temperature changes as needed, but judgment is necessary to assess the adequacy of the emergency detection system taking into account the site of the facility. Regardless of the detection system, there should be some redundancy in the system so that emergency conditions are identified even if the detection system fails. Emergency Backup System You must have manual procedures in place or facilities must be equipped to provide some automated intervention to prevent the death of animals in the event there is a mechanical ventilation failure. These should be tested regularly and a maintenance record should be kept to demonstrate the system is operational.

Ventilation Air Quality Temperature Control
Control contaminants: dust, ammonia and others Temperature Control Pig behavior is a good indicator of thermal comfort Heating/cooling provisions should accommodate needs Both air quality and air temperature control can impact the well-being of the pigs on the operation. These two factors can be controlled through adequate ventilation. The management and quality of the ventilation system in the facility will impact the pig’s comfort. Every type of housing system must provide conditions that are conducive to comfort, good health, growth and performance at all stages of the pig’s life. Air Quality Air quality can directly impact the health and well-being of the pig. Air quality can be controlled with a ventilation system that is in working order and that can operate without interruption. There are several contaminates, such as dust and various gasses, that contribute to the quality of the air within the pig’s environment. These contaminates can irritate the respiratory tract of the pig and may leave them susceptible to disease infection. The most common air contaminate that can directly impact the well-being of the pig is ammonia. Refer to the Training Manual for suggestions on how to test for ammonia levels in your facility. Temperature The behaviors a pig performs in effort to help regulate their body temperature is an indicator of the pig’s comfort. If air temperature is too cold, pigs will huddle together, shiver, and excessively pile onto each other to keep warm. If the air temperature is too hot, pigs will try to avoid body contact with other pigs and often have increased respiration rates. Provisions for heating and/or cooling should be present and in working order during extremes in weather. The facility should provide for moderating temperature enough to prevent the pig from displaying these extreme thermoregulatory behaviors.

Facilities Should be in proper working order and not cause injury
If more than 1% of animals fall during handling, a problem needs corrected Pens, Floors & Alleys Broken or missing cleats should be repaired or replaced Moving parts should be inspected and maintained regularly Chutes The state of facilities and equipment can have positive or negative impact on swine well-being. As a general rule, facilities and equipment should not promote injury or cause slips and falls in the course of regular activities. Penning, Flooring and Alleyway Maintenance Penning, floors and alleyways should be appropriate for the phase of production, be in a good state of repair and not causing injury to the animal. For example, sharp protruding objects could affect the number and type of skin lesions found on your pigs. Pens with broken slats could contribute to lameness or other leg injuries. For indoor facilities, floors for all phases of production should be rough enough to minimize slips and falls, but not so rough as to injure the pad of the hoof. Non-slip flooring to provide good footing is essential in areas where animals are handled such as loading ramps, scales, restraint chutes or breeding pens. If more than 1% of the animals fall during handling, there is a problem that needs to be corrected. Chute Maintenance Chutes should be appropriate for the phase of production, be in a good state of repair, and not cause injury to the animal. Before loading or unloading pigs begins, inspect the chute for damage. Sharp, protruding or otherwise injurious items should be removed or repaired. Broken or missing cleats should be repaired or replaced. Moving parts such as cables, pulleys and hinges should be inspected regularly and maintained as necessary. Ramps and chutes should be kept free of potential distractions. The design and function of ramps, chutes and load-out areas should be to minimize the incidence of slips and falls.

Basic Needs-Feed & Water
Out-of-feed events can negatively impact pigs’ well- being Feed should be readily available to reduce competition and fighting Feeders Both flow and quality are critical to well-being Must be in good state of repair, not cause injury, and be readily available The state of facilities and equipment can have positive or negative impact on swine well-being. As a general rule, facilities and equipment should not promote injury or cause slips and falls in the course of regular activities. Feeder Maintenance Feeders should be in a good state of repair to allow unobstructed feed delivery to the pigs and not cause injury to the animal. The number of feeding spaces and their size should allow your pigs to consume their daily ration without unnecessary fighting and competition. Waterer Maintenance Waterers must be in a good state of repair to allow water delivery to the pigs and not cause injury to the pigs. Waterers should be designed and positioned so animals can drink freely and have flow rates that easily meet the pigs’ water intake requirements. Enough waterers should be available within a pen to decrease competition for the resource. Waterers

Body Condition Score (BCS)
Key indicator of management and animal well-being Score Condition Detection of ribs, backbone, “H” bones, and pin bones 1 Emaciated Obvious 2 Thin Easily detected with pressure 3 Ideal Barely felt with firm pressure 4 Fat None 5 Overly fat Body condition scores (BCS) are useful to assess the adequacy of the nutrition program and the effectiveness of the heating and cooling strategies in the facility’s management plan. Body conditioning score has been adopted from the industry standard which is based on a 1 (emaciated) to 5 (obese) system. Any animal thinner than a body condition score less than two should receive immediate attention in efforts to improve their body condition. Without improvement, the on-farm euthanasia plan should be implemented and the animal euthanized in a timely manner. An obese pig also has increased risks to health and should have caloric intake decreased. Taken from “Assessing Sow Body Condition” by R.D.Coffey, G.R. Parker, and K.M. Laurent (ASC-158; 1999)

Body Space – Requirements
Easily lie down fully on its side (full lateral recumbency) without having to lie on another pig and be able to easily stand back up. Lie down without the head having to rest on a raised feeder. A pig housed in a stall must be able to lie down fully on its side and easily stand back up without the head having to rest on a raised feeder and the rear quarters coming in contact with the back of the stall at the same time. For pig space to be considered adequate, the pig must be able to do three things: Easily lie down fully on its side (full lateral recumbency) without having to lie on another pig and be able to easily stand back up. Lie down without the head having to rest on a raised feeder. Additionally, a pig housed in a stall must be able to lie down fully on its side (full lateral recumbency) without the head having to rest on a raised feeder and the rear quarters coming in contact with the back of the stall at the same time. The pig must also be able to easily stand back up. In the case of stalls, it is important to make sure the stall size is appropriate for the size of the animal and does not cause injury to the animal. For the animal to perform all of the above mentioned criteria, the appropriate size of the stall will be dependent upon the animal’s physical size. Back-to-back, back-to-udder or udder-to-udder contact is appropriate as long as injury due to contact is not evident. The Swine Care Handbook give recommended space allowances for pigs in total confinement, pigs in pens with outside concrete aprons and pigs on pasture. However, production practices, such as group size, ventilation equipment and rate, and type of floors (partial versus total slats), have an effect on proper stocking densities. Discuss with your advisor the stocking density that meets the needs of your animals given the specifics of your production facility and intended uses.

Animal Evaluation Production Performance Physical Evaluation
Average Daily Gain Farrowing Rate Mortality Physical Evaluation Lameness Skin lesions (abscesses, wounds) Shoulder sores Rectal prolapses Hernias Swine Behavior Tail Biting Fear in presence of people Animal evaluation will help verify that the other aspects of the well-being program have been successfully extended to the animals themselves. Three aspects of evaluation are particularly useful in assessing proper care and well-being. Production Performance The production performance of the pig often can be an indicator of the well-being of the pig. When the well-being of a pig is compromised, the production performance of that pig may also be compromised. Some production performance measures to track include average daily gain, feed efficiency, mortality rates, and farrowing rates. Physical Evaluation With careful observation, your animals can give clues to how well they are being managed. Look at their skin and their extremities. Do they have wounds that indicate fighting? Do they walk with equal weight on all four legs? Watch how they react to people being around. Are they inquisitive? Are they fearful? These initial observations will serve as a personal benchmark. From this information, you will be able to evaluate aspects of your system to decrease the occurrence of lameness and injury and improve productivity in your operation. Swine Behavior Swine behavior will be reflective of the quality of the care received and suitability of the facilities. With ample space and management practices, behaviors like tail biting will not exist. Swine that are repeatedly exposed to unpleasant handling and abuse will show evidence of fear in the presence of humans. Pigs that are relaxed around people will generally be easier to move, and as a result, have better meat quality.

Euthanasia Timely euthanasia
Goal: minimize animal pain or distress Definitions of “timely” based on situation No prospect for recovery after two days of intensive care Severely injured or non-ambulatory pigs with the inability to recover Immobilized with body condition score of 1 Pigs with large hernias that touch the ground or cause difficulty walking Requires trained personnel and functional equipment Should have a written euthanasia plan that is easily accessible Even the best run facilities have situations where animals become sick or injured and do not respond to treatment. In these cases, euthanasia is the most humane option for animal well-being. Euthanasia is defined as humane death occurring with minimal pain or distress. Timely Euthanasia Timely euthanasia will minimize animal pain or distress. The definition of “timely” is: Animals that have no prospect for recovery after two days of intensive care should be humanely euthanized. Severely injured or non-ambulatory pigs with the inability to recover should be euthanized immediately. Any animal that is immobilized and with a body condition score of 1 should be euthanized immediately. Pigs with large hernias that touch the ground or cause difficulty walking should be euthanized. Personnel trained in euthanasia should always be available to respond – including nights, weekends and holidays. Any equipment used for euthanasia of pigs must be kept in proper repair and must be functional. Written Euthanasia Plan It is important to have a written action plan to help you choose the most appropriate method by considering the following: Human safety: The method must not put you or others at unnecessary risk. Pig well-being: The method should minimize pain or distress of the pig during administration. Practicality/technical skill requirements: The method should be easily learned and repeatable with the same expected outcome. Caretaker compliance: You and others must be comfortable with, and willing to perform, the chosen method when needed. Lack of compliance compromises the well-being of the pig. Aesthetics: The method should not be objectionable to the person administering the procedure. Limitations: Some methods are only suitable for certain sizes of pigs or certain locations. The On-Farm Euthanasia of Swine brochure provides information to help you choose the appropriate method.

Safe Animal Handling – Overview
Proven pig-handling and movement practices will contribute to good well- being of the pig and a safe work environment for the handler. Many negative consequences when pigs are improperly handled Swine well-being Productivity Food product quality Worker safety Know animal instincts and use proper handling procedures Using proven pig-handling and movement practices will contribute to good well-being of the pig and a safe work environment for the handler. When pigs are improperly handled, they become distressed, which can lead to several negative consequences such as: physical injury to the pig, decreased sow reproductive performance, increases in the incidence of non-ambulatory pigs, increased time to load and unload pigs, reduced growth rates, carcass shrink, trim loss and poor meat quality. Proper handling is best achieved by first understanding instinctive behaviors of pigs and then applying proven and proper handling techniques

Safe Animal Handling – Instincts: Flight Zone
Point of Balance Blind Spot The first instinctive behavior to understand about pigs relates to their flight zone. Flight Zone The flight zone is an imaginary circle around an animal that it considers its individual space. This principle also applies to working the collective flight zone of a group of pigs. The size of the flight zone is determined by the pig’s familiarity with humans and will vary from pig to pig. A completely tame pig has no flight zone - a handler can walk directly up to the pig and touch it. Handlers should work with an animal from the edge of its flight zone. When a handler enters a pig’s flight zone, the pig will move away. If the pig does not see an escape route, it may attempt to turn around (if necessary) and run past the handler. Point of Balance The point of balance is located at a pig’s shoulder. The pig responds to a handler’s approach relative to the point of balance. If a handler enters a pig’s flight zone, the pig will move: Forward if the handler approaches from behind the point of balance. Backward if the handler approaches from in front of the point of balance. Blind Spot Because a pig’s eyes are on the sides of its head, a pig’s vision is approximately 310 degrees leaving a blind spot directly behind it. This blind spot means that a handler cannot rely on a visual reaction to get a pig to move when standing directly behind it. Ideally, to move the pig forward, enter the point of balance from the rear, just inside the animal’s flight zone. Moving in and out of the flight zone and behind the point of balance allows pigs to remain calm and move in an orderly fashion.

Safe Animal Handling – Instincts: Following & Herding
Pigs like to Stay in visual/physical contact Follow each other An advantage when moving pigs Up or down ramp/chute Through hallway/alleyway Into or out of a pen or room Pigs instinctively like to stay together, in visual and/or physical contact with each other. This instinctive behavior also causes pigs to want to follow each other in order to maintain that contact. This following behavior can be an advantage when moving pigs of any age or size. Examples where this is effective include when a handler is moving pigs: Up or down ramp/chute Through hallways Into or out of a pen or room

Safe Animal Handling – Instincts: Reacting to Changes in the Environment
Pigs typically slow, stop or change direction when they encounter something new or unfamiliar Handler’s intentions are not instinctively understood Pigs experiencing regular, positive interactions with people are typically Less fearful of handlers Easier to handle During movement, a pig may come across unfamiliar or distracting elements within its environment. Pigs typically slow, stop or change direction when they encounter something new or unfamiliar such as changes in: Floor surface (i.e. transition from concrete alley to wooden chute). Footing/traction (i.e. wet, slippery chute or loose cleats). Temperature (i.e. moving from a warm building to an outdoor chute/ramp on a cold day). Lighting – pigs move best from dark areas to lighter areas. People, equipment, trash, other animals or objects in their path or peripheral vision area. Drafts or wind. Doorways that may change the width of the alley. It is important to understand the potential effects that human interactions have on pigs and pig behavior. A person’s intentions change their environment and are not instinctively understood by the pig and this may create fear and/or a negative reaction to a handler. Pigs that have had regular, positive interactions with people will typically be less fearful and easier to handle. Slowly walking pens on a daily basis will help pigs become used to positive interactions with people. This will train the pigs to quietly get up and calmly move away from the handler. Pigs can recall previous experiences and if they have had a bad handling experience in the past they may be more difficult to handle the next time.

Proper Handling Handlers should:
Act calmly Avoid sudden movement, loud noises, other distractions Move pigs at their normal walking pace Avoid aggressive handling Aggressive handling includes things such as: Overuse, or improper use, of electric prods Loud noises and yelling Moving pigs too fast Moving too many pigs per group Overcrowding them in chutes, ramps and alleyways Rough physical contact Handlers should act calmly and avoid sudden movement, loud noises and other actions that may frighten or excite pigs. Calm pigs are easier to handle than excited agitated pigs. Frightened pigs bunch together and will be more difficult to sort and move. Pigs should be moved at their normal walking pace. Aggressive handling should also be avoided as it can lead to injured, stressed or fatigued pigs. Research indicates that more than 20% of aggressively-handled market hogs can become injured, stressed or fatigued vs. 0% of those handled properly. Aggressive handling includes things such as: Overuse, or improper use, of electric prods Loud noises and yelling Moving pigs too fast Moving too many pigs per group Overcrowding them in chutes, ramps and alleyways Rough physical contact

Proper Handling Key Points
Piglets should not be tossed or thrown, this is considered mishandling Piglets should be picked up under the rib cage or by grabbing the rear leg above the hock Pigs should be moved in groups large enough to be efficient for the system but small enough to be safe for pigs and handlers Willful acts of neglect or abuse are unacceptable Basic handling techniques apply to all pigs, but specific requirements for certain sizes and types of pigs differ. Regardless of the size of pig being handled, worker safety and animal well-being should be top of mind. To protect yourself, be aware of and anticipate animal movements. Pay attention to your animals and your positions. Know when and where your hands, knees and feet could be injured. Avoid placing your arms and hands between the animal and equipment. Set up gates and alleys according to your farm protocols. Always have an escape route to quickly get out of the area, and be aware of the location of your co-workers so you do not direct the pigs toward them. Here are four key points that need emphasized: Piglets should not be tossed or thrown, this is considered mishandling Piglets should be picked up under the rib cage or by grabbing the rear leg above the hock Pigs should be moved in groups large enough to be efficient for the system but small enough to be safe for pigs and handlers Willful acts of neglect or abuse are unacceptable

“Handling Pigs of Various Types and Sizes” Activity
Find and list 3-5 additional key points that you think are critical for new hires to know. Breeding Stock Piglets Nursery and Finisher Pigs Group Sizes Non-ambulatory Pigs There are many other important points about pig handling. Let’s use the following activity to review them in small groups. Have five large sheets of paper available and at least five markers. Divide participants into five groups. Assign each one of the categories on the slide. Direct groups to the instructions on the slide – read that section in the Training Manual, identify 3-5 key points that every new hire should know, and list or draw pictures to represent those points on the sheet of paper provided. Give them 4 minutes to complete the task and plan for a minute of presentation and discussion on each category. Ask for additional questions or clarity about handling pigs of various types and sizes, then proceed to the next section.

Tools and Equipment Tools as
Physical barrier (e.g., sorting board) Visual barrier (e.g., matador’s cape) Auditory stimulus (e.g., rattle/shaker paddle) Visual stimulus (e.g., nylon flag) Use the right tool for the right situation Electric prods should be a last resort Avoid or minimize use Never prod sensitive areas Should not be the primary handling tool There are many different pieces of handling and sorting equipment on the market, or that can be easily made on the farm, to help you sort or move pigs in a safe, humane and efficient manner. Handling equipment is effective by providing barriers or stimuli. Most of these tools are effective for a specific situation and should not be used for others. For example, a plastic rattle/shaker paddle may be effective for moving weaned piglets from the farrowing room to the nursery but is not a tool to use when moving a boar to his pen after estrus detection. The most versatile tool is typically the sorting board or panel. A sorting board can provide both a physical and a visual barrier. Using an electric prod to move a pig is stressful and should not be the primary tool for moving pigs. It should only be used as a last resort. Numerous research studies have shown increased use of an electric prod increases stress in pigs, so use of electric prods should be avoided or minimized. If a pig is moving in the desired direction, there is no need to use the prod. Never prod a pig in sensitive areas such as eyes, ears, nose, genitals or rectum. If regular use of an electric prod is needed, evaluate your handling procedures and facilities. If it is necessary to use a prod, it should be applied to the back of the pig behind the shoulder, and the duration of the shock should not exceed one second. The pig should be allowed time to respond before another shock is given. Electric prods should not be used when moving pigs from the pen.

Willful Acts of Abuse Willful acts of neglect or abuse are unacceptable and are not tolerable Willful abuse and neglect are defined as acts outside accepted production practices that intentionally cause pain and suffering including, but not limited to: Intentionally applying prods to sensitive parts of the animal such as the eyes, ears, nose, genitals, or rectum. Malicious hitting, kicking, or beating of an animal. Purposeful failure to provide minimal food, water, and care that results in significant harm or death to animals. Willful acts of neglect or abuse are unacceptable and are not tolerated. Willful abuse and neglect are defined as acts outside accepted production practices that intentionally cause pain and suffering including, but not limited to: Intentionally applying prods to sensitive parts of the animal such as the eyes, ears, nose, genitals, or rectum. Malicious hitting/beating of an animal. Purposeful failure to provide minimal food, water, and care that results in significant harm or death to animals. If a willful act of abuse is observed, immediately intervene to stop the situation if reasonably and safely possible. Discuss the situation with the appropriate authority (owner, manager, receiving crew, etc.)

The best way to fully assess the pigs’ environment and health is to ____________. A. have a plan for medical treatments B. conduct annual performance reviews C. conduct daily observations D. ensure automatic monitoring systems are functioning Keeping waterers and feeders in proper maintenance is key in allowing adequate space in order to ___________. A. decrease competition B. increase competition C. decrease body temperature D. increase body temperature Go through sample test items. Correct answers: C. conduct daily observations A. decrease competition Ask participants for clarifications or questions about the key points in this GPP before proceeding. (Refer to the objectives slide at the beginning of this section, if useful)

GPP #10 Utilize Tools for Continuous Improvement
The tenth, and final, Good Production Practice is to utilize tools for continuous improvement. GPP #10 Utilize Tools for Continuous Improvement

Objectives of GPP#10 Determine the role caretaker training plays in animal well- being and herd health Identify the steps of the PTSDR method Recognize the elements of documenting training Describe how the animal well-being assessment works State how an action plan is used to improve animal well-being and production practices Summarize how the third-party evaluation process operates Explain that this slide explains what they need to be able to demonstrate from their understanding of this Good Production Practice. Review briefly.

Training Animal Caretakers
Continuous improvement Advances in science and technology Updated Good Production Practices Caretaker training contributes to animal well-being . Examples from this session: Medical treatment records Animal evaluation Feed processing protocols Husbandry, handling and euthanasia Many other benefits of training The cornerstone of the Pork Quality Assurance® Plus (PQA Plus®) program is continuous improvement. All new animal caretakers and other employees involved in the herd’s production must be trained in their duties. Advances in science and technology continually provide new opportunities as well as new products, equipment and techniques for the industry. To stay abreast of these changes, everyone from the most senior manager to the newest employee should be engaged in training and educational opportunities consistent with their responsibilities. Caretaker training contributes to animal well-being . Examples from this session: Caretakers trainers on how to look for trends in medical records of animals can help identify strategies to improve herd health. Caretakers training in animal evaluation – whether on daily observations or regular assessments – can detect potential issues early Caretakers properly trained in feed processing protocols will ensure adherence to guidelines for animal nutrition Caretakers with training in husbandry, handling and euthanasia provide high-quality care to animals In addition to the benefits to swine well-being, there are other benefits, such as: worker safety, increased productivity and efficiency, improved employee morale and retention, and greater sense of achievement and job satisfaction as the operation’s goals are met.

PTSDR: An Effective Training Method
repare P ell T how S o D eview R Focus on the objectives to achieve with a training program Share the information needed to complete the task Throughout a training program, a technique called the PTSDR method may be used to train others. The diagram below illustrates this technique that consists of five steps: 1) Prepare, 2) Tell, 3) Show, 4) Do and 5) Review. Let’s take a look at would should happen during each step. The Prepare stage consists of the trainer preparing to train by focusing on the objectives and outcomes he or she wants to achieve within a training program. The Tell stage involves addressing the key points needed to obtain knowledge and skills. In this stage, the trainer shares the information needed in order to complete the task. The Show stage involves demonstrating to individuals how to complete a specific task. The Do stage enables the individuals to practice what they have been already told and what has been showed to them. During the Review stage, the individual is evaluated on his or her performance of a desired task. Share a brief example using the steps in the PTSDR training model. (e.g., training a new hire on handling piglets) Regardless of the type of educational program used for training, and regardless of how formal or informal the training event for the animal caretakers, the documentation of the training is important. Training records should indicate the topics and techniques covered in the training as well as the names of trainees and trainers and the date of the training. Attention should be given to make sure the caretakers are trained and proficient in tasks before they perform them without supervision. Templates are provided in the appendix of the manual to assist you in documenting training sessions. Demonstrate how to complete a specific task Allow individuals to practice the task Evaluate performance and give useful feedback Note: All training of animal caretakers should be documented

Conducting Animal Well-being Assessments
Conduct a PQA Plus Site Assessment to set benchmarks and measure animal well-being Review results with your veterinarian and/or PQA Plus Advisor Complete a PQA Plus site assessment every three years Complete an internal site assessment annually Your animals’ well-being is something that you should be aware of every day. The success of your operation is dependent upon the well-being and productivity of your animals. To do anything less than maintain that well-being and productivity just doesn’t make sense. By having a on-farm site assessment at least every three years, you will be aware of new developments, equipment, production practices and research that can affect the well-being of your animals. A periodic assessment will provide you with knowledge for tracking and bench marking animal well-being on your farm. To retain PQA Plus Site Status, your site should have an assessment every three years. It is highly recommended that you, or the person responsible for your operation’s assessment, review the 12 Care and Well-Being Principles with a Certified PQA Plus Advisor. A PQA Plus Advisor is an individual who has been trained to perform assessments objectively and knows how to address any problem areas found during the assessment. Additionally, they can help provide an “outside-in” view and identify issues that may be easily overlooked by those who are close to the operation on a daily basis. To complete a on-farm site assessment more often than every three years will provide an even better tool to track changes in production practices and operation that could affect the well-being and the productivity of your animals.

Develop and Implement an Action Plan
Once a site assessment occurs, develop an action plan to address areas needed for improvement/correction For areas that can be addressed relatively quickly, document what action was taken to correct the issue. For areas that require extra capital or time to correct, document a detailed description of how you plan to correct the issue and a timeline for expected implmentation. The final step of conducting a site assessment is to develop and implement a corrective action plan for any area that needs improvement. A corrective action plan documents what actions have been or will be taken to correct the issue(s) identified during the assessment. This final step helps to demonstrate the industry’s commitment to continuous improvement to our industry partners, customers and the general public. Some issues, such as written euthanasia plans or poor air quality, may be corrected relatively quickly. In this case, your corrective action plan should document how the issue was corrected. Other areas, such as inadequate medication and treatment records or low body condition of pigs, may require extra capital or time to correct. In this case, your corrective action plan should document a detailed description of how you plan to correct the issue and a timeline for expected implementation. Training or retraining of caretakers may also be part of the corrective action plan in efforts to correct the issue or prevent it from occurring again in the future. Your PQA Plus advisor can be a useful resource when developing and implementing your action plan. He or she can provide ideas or advice on how an issue may be corrected or connect you with other experts.

Verification 3rd Party evaluations (audits)
Evaluator should have no conflict of interest Auditor role is not advisory The PQA Plus third-party verification is an evaluation of the effectiveness and implementation of the PQA Plus program principles The PQA Plus third-party verification component is designed to be an evaluation of the effectiveness and implementation of the PQA Plus program principles, not to audit individual production units for compliance. The results of the verification are used to identify areas for additional education and training. They also give customers a view of the implementation status of PQA Plus principles. To accomplish this, a statistically valid sample of sites is chosen at random from the database of PQA Plus assessed sites in the past three years. Completion of the PQA Plus site assessment process automatically qualifies your site as a potential candidate for verification. The aggregated data from these sites collectively demonstrate the level of adoption for the entire pork industry of the PQA Plus and We Care principles.

True or False? Caretakers that are trained on how to look for trends in medical records of animals can help identify strategies to improve herd health. A. True B. False In which stage of the PTSDR method does the trainer discuss the information needed in order to complete the task? A. Prepare B. Show C. Do D. Tell Go through sample test items. Correct answers: A. True D. Tell Ask participants for clarifications or questions about the key points in this GPP before proceeding. (Refer to the objectives slide at the beginning of this section, if useful)

Thank you! Thank the participants for their time and attention. Give instructions for completing the end-of-training exam.

Certification Training

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