Tag: PRRS

Ten Reasons to use EPI Air in your Barn

Posted on by EPI Air

If you are a swine or poultry producer who wants to improve your production rates, it is time to learn about Electrostatic Particle Ionization (EPI) by Baumgartner Environics. EPI is a patented air-cleaning system, specially designed for reducing dust particles from agricultural settings and other confined spaces. Read more about how it works here.

Why use EPI to Improve your In-Barn Air Quality?

  1. Proven Dust Removal – USDA Studies and other test data show that EPI Air can help remove 50-80% of dust particles and aerosols from the air.
  2. Improve Animal Production – EPI Air has been shown to dramatically improve animal production and livability (See Murphy-Brown’s production gains).
  3. Employee Work Environment & Morale – Cleaner air makes it easier for employees to breathe inside the animal production area, creating a better work environment.
  4. Quick Return on Investment – Murphy-Brown calculated less than 34 weeks to get a ROI based on their own 99.9% statistically significant tests.
  5. Reduce Odors for Neighbors– EPI Air catches dust particles inside the barn, so gases and pathogens can’t “hitch a ride” on dust particles being emitted outside. Visitors and neighbors will appreciate reduced barn odors.
  6. Encourage Growth – Cleaner air can also relieve stress on animals, creating an environment that improves the rate of swine and poultry growth.
  7. Reduce Mortalities – EPI Air has been shown to reduce mortality rates (Mortalities reduced by 26.1% for Murphy-Brown).
  8. Innovative Combinations – EPI Air can be combined with other clean-air methods such as filtration for promising results.
  9. Fight PRRS – EPI Air may help PRRS infected pigs to fight secondary complications. 
  10. Worldwide Recognition– EPI Air is installed in barns across the globe. In fact, EPI complies with European standards for dust reduction with Certification in the Netherlands, and also has been invested in by the Canadian government in support of the Manitoba Pork Council.

If you would like to learn more about how EPI Air can make a difference in your production facility, please contact us today.

Reducing Secondary Complications in PRRS Infected Pigs

Posted on by EPI Air

There is no doubt that the PRRS virus is a vital health concern for swine producers. PRRS (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome) is a highly infectious and deadly virus. It is reported that PRRS is the most economically significant disease to affect US swine production since the eradication of classical swine fever (CSF). But EPI Air may help.

EPI Air may help PRRS infected pigs fight secondary infections. USDA-ARS tests have shown ionization to reduce pathogens in the air. Also, cleaner air leads to fewer challenges of the pigs’ respiratory systems. These two factors may help PRRS-infected pigs avoid secondary complications.

Dr. Gary Bradley, Research Center Coordinator at Murphy-Brown LLC directed trials of the EPI Technology in their nursery facilities. At a recent Pork Expo, he was asked if EPI technology could possibly reduce the movement of the PRRS Virus, Bradley only ventured, “That might be a possibility. I don’t think the negative ions could eliminate the virus from the barn. However, combined with the overhead positioning of EPI units perhaps a portable unit used at floor level could be ‘zapping’ viruses after the wash down.” He speculates there likely will be additional technology that branches off from the current EPI system. As a research scientist he’s more than willing and ready to further explore new ideas. “Preliminary results were phenomenal in our nursery units so we’re totally open to stretching our minds about a further spin off of EPI technology.”

The Canadian government also sees potential with the EPI Air and improving the productivity of hog herds while boosting the bottom line for those in the hog industry. The government of Canada, in support of the Manitoba Pork Council, is investing over $150,000 to help improve the air quality in swine barns with the EPI Air System. PRRS is reported to cost the Canadian industry an estimated $130 million per year; so using the EPI Air system to reduce and prevent the airborne transmission of PRRS is a sound investment.

EPI Air has been proven to increase average daily gain, increase average weights, and decrease mortalities. Knowing that the EPI Air makes such a significant impact on overall swine performance provides a positive outlook towards the possibilities that EPI Air also holds for PRRS.