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Monitoring of the Efficacy of SOP on the Reduction of the Microbial Load in an Italian Commercial Fattening Pig Farm

Tacconi G., Covarelli A., Zanierato A., ADSA–CSAS–ASAS Joint Annual Meeting, Montréal (Canada), 2009 — Peer-reviewed conference contribution (scientific committee)

23-month monitoring by the University of Perugia in a commercial finishing pig farm, with monthly pig slurry sampling: reduction of bacterial load in slurry treated with SOP PIG LAGOON, including Aerobic Total Bacterial Count (−73.1%), Micrococcaceae (−62.9%), Streptococcaceae (−66.9%), and Enterobacteriaceae (−67.6%) compared to control.

Summary: Field study comparing treated vs. control slurry in a finishing pig farm; monthly slurry sampling over 23 months. During the observed period, the contribution reports reductions in bacterial load in treated slurry: −73.1% (Aerobic Total Bacterial Count), −62.9% (Micrococcaceae), −66.9% (Streptococcaceae), −67.6% (Enterobacteriaceae), with statistical significance as reported in the contribution.

Manure management in pig farming (pig slurry) is a key operational control point for environmental hygiene and for the quality of farm matrices. Monitoring microbial load in slurry represents a technical indicator useful for evaluating treatment and management strategies, with potential implications for storage practices and overall environmental conditions.

In this context, the contribution presented at the ADSA–CSAS–ASAS Joint Annual Meeting — an international peer-reviewed congress with selection by the scientific committee — describes a long-term monitoring study conducted by the Università di Perugia (coordinated by Prof.ssa Tacconi) in a commercial Italian finishing pig farm, aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of SOP PIG LAGOON treatment on slurry microbial load.

The monitoring lasted 23 months and involved monthly slurry sampling, comparing treated and control units. The microbiological parameters monitored included Aerobic Total Bacterial Count, Enterobacteriaceae, Micrococcaceae, and Streptococcaceae. The contribution reports a reduction in bacterial load in slurry treated with SOP PIG LAGOON compared to control, with the following results:

  • Aerobic Total Bacterial Count: −73.1%

  • Micrococcaceae: −62.9%

  • Streptococcaceae: −66.9%

  • Enterobacteriaceae: −67.6%

Overall, the study highlights the relevance of long-term evidence under real pig farming conditions, with repeated measurements over time and quantifiable results on microbiological indicators of pig slurry.

Summary

Type of evidence:
Peer-reviewed conference contribution (scientific committee) — ADSA–CSAS–ASAS Joint Annual Meeting
Institution involved:
Università di Perugia (as reported in the contribution)
Sector:
Finishing pigs — manure management / environmental hygiene
Experimental design:
Field monitoring with treated vs. control comparison; monthly slurry sampling
Duration:
23 months
Main outcomes:
Aerobic Total Bacterial Count; Enterobacteriaceae; Micrococcaceae; Streptococcaceae
Main results:
  • −73.1% Aerobic Total Bacterial Count (treated vs. control)
  • −62.9% Micrococcaceae (treated vs. control)
  • −66.9% Streptococcaceae (treated vs. control)
  • −67.6% Enterobacteriaceae (treated vs. control)
    • Context note:
    Longitudinal monitoring with repeated sampling is particularly informative for evaluating operational strategies under real farm conditions.
    Methodological and compliance note
    The reported results derive from a peer-reviewed conference contribution and describe field monitoring evidence in a commercial farm. The evidence should be interpreted in the context of the study design and the operational conditions reported in the contribution. The cited SOP products are not veterinary medicinal products and are not intended for the treatment, prevention, or cure of diseases. Health-related decisions remain the responsibility of the attending veterinarian, in compliance with regulations and good farming practices.
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