|
Biosecurity
is protecting the health of livestock by preventing the
spread of disease. Since September 11, we are all aware of
the threat of terrorism. Due to the massive size of our
agricultural and food production system and freedom of
travel in our nation, we are vulnerable to the threat of
agro-terrorism.
Biosecurity is also a means of prevention or early detection
in acts of agro-terrorism. Recent events in England with
Foot and Mouth Disease and before that Bovine Spongiform
Encephalopathy (“Mad Cow”) disease have shown us the
devastating economic affects these diseases have on
individuals and entire economies. Biosecurity is important
to producers dealing with common diseases such as shipping
fever or calf scours as well as foreign diseases like Foot
and Mouth Disease or Bovine Spongioform Encephalopathy.
Every
ranch or farm is unique; therefore, you should develop your
own biosecurity program. Call a licensed veterinarian and
ask for his/her advice in developing your program. The
goals of a biosecurity program are to prevent the
introduction of new diseases, and to prevent the spread of
infectious disease in your livestock.
There
are many factors which contribute to disease exposure: The
most common is the introduction of new animals to the herd
such as replacement heifers, bulls, cow-calf pairs etc.;
look at feed and water, direct animal contact along fences,
shows/fairs and mixing animals of different age groups; feed
trucks, transport vehicles, veterinarians and other
visitors.
The
level of biosecurity you need will depend on your
operation. Purebred operations, dairies and feedlots
require a higher level than the average cow-calf operator.
IBP, ConAgra, McDonalds and Albertsons, to name a few, are
requiring BQA certification from producers, salebarns and
all suppliers of cattle for feeding. Biosecurity affects
all of us involved with beef production. The following
discussion is meant to be an example of
increasing levels of biosecurity. Your assets are at risk
from many potential threats. Your individual biosecurity
plan should be based on your personal desire to protect
these assets. We recommend you develop a biosecurity program
for your operation, but it is optional.
1.
The most basic level of biosecurity would be where
animals and people move freely and have contact with other
livestock.
·
Use of
an appropriate vaccination program
·
Establishment of a sick/treatment pen to isolate sick
animals from the rest of the herd
2.
The next level would be to individually ID all
livestock.
· Provide
a quarantine area for all newly purchased livestock lasting
2-4 weeks; preventing nose to nose contact, sharing of feed
and water, and diverting run-off from the rest of the herd
· No
individual should go directly from the quarantine pen to the
rest of the herd. If it cannot be avoided, attend to the
quarantine pen last.
· Equipment
should be cleaned and disinfected between use in the
quarantine pen and subsequent use in the rest of the herd.
·
Necropsy
dead animals if you are not sure of the cause of death
·
Bury all
dead animals to prevent physical contact with fluids and
excretions.
3.
Semi-closed herd would be the next level of
biosecurity.
· All
replacements come from a herd of equal or higher biosecurity
levels than your own.
· Quarantine
all herd additions 2-4 weeks, testing for diseases such as
BVD, Johne’s Disease, Brucellosis etc. at this time.
· Clean
all livestock transport vehicles before and after use.
· Double
fence to prevent contact with neighboring livestock.
·
Dispose
of manure and bedding to prevent contact with young stock or
pregnant animals.
· Prevent
contact between animals of different ages and reproductive
status; such as yearlings and newborns, open cows and bred
cows, and cull animals.
· Remove
all sick animals to a separate sick/treatment pen.
·
Use some
means of fly control.
4.
A closed herd would be the highest level of
biosecurity.
·
All
replacements are raised on the farm or ranch.
· Only
semen for AI is brought onto the premises.
· Prevent
livestock co-mingling with wildlife by effective fencing.
Know
what and who comes onto your premise. You may want to limit
the number of visitors. Ask them to wear clean, disinfected
boots. Keep a record of all visitors. Ask delivery people
to clean their trucks before entering and restrict where
they go on your premises. Limit visitors and delivery
vehicles to one entrance for inspection and record keeping.
There
are many good articles on biosecurity in producer
magazines. Also, South Dakota Cattleman’s Association,
county agents, BQA/CMP Board and South Dakota Animal
Industry Board have information available. Probably the
closest source of information is your local veterinarian.
Back to Section 11
Back
Continue to
Withdrawal Time Chart |
