An analysis of the possible effects of different feed upon the excretion of salmonella bacteria in clinically normal groups of fattening pigs.

Fattening pigs are frequently contaminated with salmonella bacteria. In 1983 and 1984 some 40 pig fattening farms in the Dutch province of Gelderland were examined to test the hypothesis that acidic byproducts from the dairy industry could influence the degree of contamination in groups of fattening pigs. Clear differences were observed: first salmonella was found in a lower percentage of farms using whey as part of the feed mix (40%) than on farms using only water (80%). Of the farms on which salmonella bacteria were demonstrated, the percentage of positive samples was lower for the 'whey' farms than for the 'water' farms (19.4% compared with 64.1%).