Auditing feed mills and amassing the evidence and data needed to produce meaningful biosecurity programs can be a headache.
"For years, our feed mill technologists have been walking facilities with customers, collecting evidence, and preparing reports for regulatory and compliance bodies across the globe. That has become significantly easier, thanks to the new feed mill biosecurity audit app,” explained Dr Enrique Montiel, Anitox’s global director of nutrition and live production.
The app enables mill managers and quality teams to establish a baseline for biosecurity standards by identifying areas of concern, implementing sound manufacturing practices and adhering to regulatory biosecurity requirements.
“Our team of feed milling technologists and technical specialists solve Salmonella, virus and other feed pathogen-related challenges on a daily basis; now that knowledge has been put to good use for the wider community.”
Secure access
App users can be confident their data is protected and private, said Anitox. The US firm has given up the right to track user-given audit data.
The app, which can be downloaded for free in iOs and Google Play Stores, also allows mill managers and their teams to save past audits and to access a feed mill technologist.
Guidelines from Kansas State University (KSU) highlights areas of focus for feed mill managers looking to optimize biosecurity in their facilities including ingredient sourcing, receiving practices, delivery procedures, finished feed separation, human traffic, along with employee training.
They should also create a culture around producing safe feed:
"Workplace culture is the most important aspect of a mill biosecurity plan. A strong employee culture encourages everyone to implement the procedures and follow them. If management does not take their policies seriously, there is little incentive for the rest of the employees to follow the policies. Encouraging employees to follow a biosecurity protocol starts with management and is strengthened with knowledge of why the plan matters."
