A Pilot Field Evaluation of Organic Surface Contamination in Pig Farrowing Units Using Rapid Hygiene Monitoring Methods

Rapid and reliable detection methods are essential for routine monitoring of environmental hygiene on farms. This pilot study evaluated luminometers (LUM) and mobile flow cytometer (MFC) for assessment of surface organic contamination in farrowing units. The study was conducted on two pig farms after animal removal prior to sanitation, with sampling performed at heated pads, pen walls, and corridors. ATP measurements were carried out using three luminometers (Clean-Trace™ LM1, EnSure, and SystemSURE Plus), and residual particles were detected using a mobile flow cytometer (Cytoquant). Microbiological cultivation (TMC 36 °C) was additionally included. Significant differences in log RLU values were observed between LUM, with large effect sizes indicating a substantial influence of device type on RLU values. A high correlation was confirmed only between EnSure and SystemSURE Plus (rs = 0.81–1.00; p < 0.05), and no relationship was confirmed between LUM and MFC (rs = −0.49–0.77; p > 0.05). Correlations between rapid detection methods and microbiological cultivation were inconsistent. Corridors demonstrated the highest microbiological contamination, whereas MFC identified heated pads as sites with increased residual particulate contamination. The results indicate that LUM, MFC, and microbiological cultivation characterize different dimensions of environmental contamination and should therefore be interpreted as complementary rather than interchangeable methods.