Bacteriological and serological examination and risk factor analysis of Salmonella occurrence in sow herds, including risk factors for high Salmonella seroprevalence in receiver finishing herds.

A strong association between the seroprevalence in sows and the occurrence of Salmonella Typhimurium among weaners has been shown. As shown several times for finisher herds, the risk-factors, ready mixed pelleted feed and health status also apply to sow herds. Risk factors on the sow level, for high seroprevalence in finishers have been quantified. It has been shown, that isolating Salmonella in weaners is a risk factor for high seroprevalence in finishers. Feed factors; ready-mixed pelleted feed for both sows and finishers, dry feed for sows, have been shown to have a significant effect on high seroprevalence, monitored by meat juice samples at slaughter. The etiological fraction of ready-mixed pelleted feed for sows and for finishers is of the same magnitude, indicating that intervention on the sow level could prove to contribute considerably to the effect of intervention programs.