As winter approaches and outside temperatures drop in the northern hemisphere, it’s important to ensure that farm biosecurity does not become compromised by the disinfectant relied on to keep poultry and livestock protected from disease-causing organisms. Not all disinfectants work well in cold winter temperatures but specialty chemicals company LANXESS can offer livestock producers and farmers two options that do; Virkon S and Virkon LSP.

Unlike some other disinfectant chemistries, such as Glutaraldehyde (GLUT) and Quaternary Ammonium Compound (QAC), and GLUT/QAC mixes, Virkon S and Virkon LSP remain effective against disease-causing organisms at 4°C, reflecting the “real-world” cold temperatures found on farm during winter months, without the need to increase in-use concentrations or contact times.

Stephan Cho, Head of Market Segment Disinfection in the Material Protection Products business unit (MPP) at LANXESS, explains why livestock producers and farmers should pay particular attention of a disinfectants performance in cold winter conditions: “A disinfectant is the cornerstone of any disease prevention biosecurity program. Its ability to maintain activity in falling winter temperatures is essential to help maintain that protection,” says Cho. The activity of some disinfectants decreases as temperatures fall, potentially leaving poultry and livestock unprotected from significant disease-causing organisms such as Avian Influenza (AI) and African Swine Fever (ASF). “We also have to remember that many viruses are stable and survive extremely well, for long periods of time, in cold temperatures. So it is paramount that the disinfectant used has the proven ability to maintain activity, at recommended, economical, in-use dilution rates and contact times, even when temperatures fall,” explains Cho.

Virkon S remains active in solution at minus 10 °C
The addition of liquid monopropylene glycol (MPG) to Virkon S solutions can reduce its freezing point to -10 °C, without affecting its efficacy, providing reassurance that barrier controls, such as disinfectant footdips and vehicle disinfection sprays at building and site entrances, will remain in solution during freezing winter conditions. “Both Virkon S and Virkon LSP offer livestock producers and farmers proven performance and suitability for real world “on farm” conditions, making them the disinfectants of choice for building, surfaces, equipment, vehicles and footwear biosecurity all year round,” adds Cho.