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Air filtration in pig farms isn’t a plug-and-play solution. The right filter setup depends heavily on your barn layout, production stage, and biosecurity goals. A high-health AI stud requires a different level of filtration than a remote grow-finish site. Similarly, barns located in hog-dense regions face a much higher risk of airborne pathogen drift than isolated facilities.
That’s why choosing filters shouldn’t be a guess—it should be a targeted decision based on pathogen risk and operational priorities. Filters aren’t just dust traps—they’re critical control points for preventing the spread of PRRSV, SIV, PEDv, and other bioaerosols. When selected correctly, they can reduce disease transmission, improve animal performance, and support a healthier, more efficient production environment.
This guide walks through how to match filtration performance to your farm’s needs—so you get the right protection, in the right place, at the right time.
Choosing the right air filter begins with understanding how filters are rated—and what those ratings actually mean in a livestock environment.
MERV, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, is the industry standard for measuring a filter’s ability to capture particles of different sizes. The scale ranges from 1 to 16, with higher numbers indicating better performance at capturing smaller particles.
| MERV Rating | Captures Particle Sizes | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| MERV 8 | ≥ 3.0 µm (dust, pollen) | Pre-filter, coarse dust removal |
| MERV 13 | ≥ 1.0 µm (fine dust, mold) | Mid-level filtration in barns |
| MERV 16 | ≥ 0.3–1.0 µm (aerosols, pathogens) | High-efficiency, disease control |
For most airborne swine pathogens—like PRRSV, SIV, and Mycoplasma—particles fall in the 0.4–1.0 micron range. MERV 16 filters are typically recommended when targeting these aerosolized threats. When used as part of a multi-stage filtration system (e.g., MERV 8 → MERV 13 → MERV 16), they balance airflow, filter life, and biosecurity.
HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters go beyond MERV 16. Certified HEPA filters capture at least 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns. They’re ideal for:
AI studs and boar stations
Genetic multipliers
Nucleus farms with PRRS-negative status
Facilities in high-density swine regions with constant risk of airborne reinfection
ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air) filters are even more efficient (≥99.999% @ 0.12 µm), but are rarely used in livestock due to airflow restrictions and cost. HEPA offers a more practical, proven balance of performance and pressure drop in agricultural environments.
Before selecting air filters for your pig barn, it’s essential to evaluate your disease risk profile. The goal is to apply the right level of filtration where it matters most—without overengineering or under-protecting.
Several operational and environmental factors influence how vulnerable your facility is to airborne disease transmission:
Location:
Farms in high-density swine regions face elevated risk due to closer proximity to infected herds and higher levels of airborne viral drift. If you’re downwind from other pig operations, your exposure risk increases.
Pig Flow and Site Design:
Continuous-flow systems and multi-age sites have higher internal cross-contamination risk compared to all-in/all-out flows. Filter requirements may differ between barns on the same site depending on pig age and flow.
Outbreak History:
Past issues with PRRSV, PEDv, or respiratory disease suggest a need for tighter control. Recurrent infections are often linked to unfiltered airflow, inadequate sealing, or shared ventilation across units.
Different pathogens have different transmission characteristics, but several key diseases are proven to spread through the air:
| Pathogen | Airborne Risk | Typical Particle Size | Recommended Filter |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRRSV | High | 0.4–0.7 µm | MERV 16 or HEPA |
| Swine Influenza (SIV) | High | ~1.0 µm droplets | MERV 14–16 |
| PEDv | Moderate–High | Dust/aerosol (>1.0 µm) | MERV 13–16 |
| Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae | High | 0.8–2.0 µm aerosols | MERV 13–16 |
| APP (Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae) | Moderate | ~2.0 µm | MERV 13+ |
PRRSV and SIV are most commonly associated with long-range airborne spread. PEDv, while traditionally seen as fecal-oral, is now known to be viable in air and dust, especially in regions with high movement and manure exposure.
Identifying which pathogens are most relevant to your location and operation helps you decide:
What MERV rating is required
Which barns need protection first
Whether HEPA or standard filtration is appropriate
Filtration is most effective when paired with risk-based decision-making. By aligning filter performance with disease threat levels, you can reduce transmission, protect herd health, and make the most of your filtration investment.
Different barns serve different functions—and each presents unique risks when it comes to airborne pathogen transmission. Choosing the right filter requires understanding the value of the animals inside, their susceptibility to disease, and how each space fits into your broader production flow.
Below is a breakdown of filter recommendations by barn type, balancing pathogen risk, particle size, and filtration efficiency.
Farrowing barns house sows and neonatal piglets—some of the most vulnerable animals on the farm. Pathogens like PRRSV, PEDv, and swine influenza can have devastating consequences in these settings.
Filtration Strategy:
Recommended: MERV 8 (pre-filter) → MERV 13 (mid) → MERV 16 (final)
In high-risk zones or PRRS-negative sites, consider upgrading to HEPA
Ensure clean air enters from positive-pressure hallways to prevent backflow
These barns benefit greatly from high-efficiency filtration, as piglets have underdeveloped immune systems and are more likely to suffer severe clinical symptoms and losses.
Nurseries house recently weaned pigs, who are still developing immunity and highly susceptible to respiratory infections such as Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, SIV, and APP.
Filtration Strategy:
Recommended: MERV 8 → MERV 13–14
In regions with PRRS or PEDv pressure, increase to MERV 16 final filters
Install filters at shared air inlets or hallway entry points
Nurseries often sit near grower barns or are part of a multi-room building, increasing their cross-contamination risk. Proper filtration helps reduce medication usage and mortality.
These barns typically house older pigs with stronger immune systems and lower individual animal value, but they’re still susceptible to airborne pathogens—especially PRRSV, which can delay finishing times and reduce feed efficiency.
Filtration Strategy:
Recommended: MERV 8 → MERV 13
Use higher-efficiency (MERV 14–16) filters if:
– Located in a hog-dense region
– Part of a site with ongoing respiratory disease issues
– Connected via airspace or hallways to nurseries
Here, the balance is between biosecurity and airflow efficiency. Choose filters that manage risk while preserving adequate air exchange and cooling.
These are high-value, high-risk facilities where disease entry could compromise genetics, semen supply, and entire sow herds downstream. PRRSV and swine flu are particularly dangerous here.
Filtration Strategy:
Recommended: MERV 8 → MERV 13 → HEPA (H13 or H14)
Install HEPA filters in tight, gasketed frames with airflow monitoring
Use positive-pressure systems to prevent air leakage from unfiltered zones
In these barns, filtration is a non-negotiable investment in long-term health security and brand reputation.
Clean-Link offers a range of high-performance air filtration products designed for pig farms. Our products are designed to enhance animal health and boost production efficiency.
Clean-Link is a leading provider of air filtration solutions for China’s pig farming sector, offering innovative and dependable systems designed to boost biosecurity and animal health.
Our advanced filtration technologies, such as HEPA and V-bank filters, focus on tackling diseases like African Swine Fever (ASF), ensuring cleaner air and enhancing farm productivity.
Clean-Link is thrilled to team up with top livestock brands in China’s pig farming community, bringing innovative air filtration solutions that boost biosecurity and productivity.
Together, we use advanced technologies like HEPA and V-bank filters to tackle challenges like African Swine Fever (ASF), helping farms thrive with cleaner, safer air.
Clean-Link takes pride in its top-notch manufacturing facilities, delivering the highest quality air filtration solutions for pig farming.
Our modern factories use cutting-edge technology to craft HEPA filters, V-bank compact filters, and various filter media, ensuring they meet strict biosecurity standards.
Air filtration is a powerful tool in your disease control strategy—but its success depends not just on what filter you choose, but how well your system supports it. To ensure long-term effectiveness and cost-efficiency, it’s important to consider the following operational factors:
Investing in high-efficiency filters—especially MERV 16 or HEPA—can feel costly up front. However, the return on investment (ROI) comes through:
Fewer disease outbreaks and production losses
Reduced medication and veterinary costs
Better feed conversion and animal performance
Higher staff retention and lower labor disruption
For example, one PRRS outbreak can cost US$100–300 per sow. In comparison, a properly installed MERV 16 system typically pays for itself in 18–30 months through avoided health setbacks. In high-risk zones, that payback can come even faster.
As filter efficiency increases, so does static pressure—the resistance air encounters as it moves through the system. If your fans can’t handle the pressure drop, you’ll end up with poor airflow, heat buildup, and even ventilation failure.
MERV 8–13 filters create modest pressure increases (typically 50–100 Pa)
MERV 16 and HEPA filters may add 150–300+ Pa depending on airflow and surface area
Fan upgrades or larger filter surface areas may be necessary to maintain required air exchange rates
Tip: Always verify fan performance against total system pressure load before upgrading filters. Use variable-speed drives (VFDs) where possible to adjust fan output dynamically.
Dirty filters compromise airflow and filtration efficiency. Instead of changing filters on a fixed calendar, use pressure-based replacement for better control and cost savings.
Monitor static pressure weekly across each filter stage
Replace when pressure rises to twice the clean filter baseline
High-dust seasons (e.g., harvest) may require shorter intervals
Label filters with installation date and log each change in your maintenance schedule
Don’t overlook sealing and gasket checks during replacement—bypass leaks can render high-efficiency filters ineffective.
Choosing the right air filter isn’t just a technical decision—it’s a strategic one. By aligning filter performance with your barn type, disease risk, and ventilation capacity, you create a system that delivers targeted, cost-effective protection where it matters most.
Whether you’re protecting a high-value AI stud or minimizing pathogen drift into a nursery, the right filtration setup can dramatically reduce disease pressure, stabilize herd health, and lower long-term operational costs. Investing in smarter air control today leads to fewer outbreaks, better performance, and measurable savings for years to come.
