Common Sense Biosecurity Practices for Livestock
Producers
At 1,200 pounds, cattle look tough…but these animals, just
like horses, sheep, goats, poultry and other livestock can be “taken
down” by just a few unseen bacteria, viruses or parasites,
whether they’re introduced intentionally or accidentally.
By making some simple changes, however, producers can ensure that
their animals are afforded an extra measure of health protection!
Biosecurity practices don’t have to be cumbersome, confusing
or expensive. In fact, a small tub, a gallon of bleach or disinfectant,
and a brush will go a long way toward protecting livestock from
“outside” disease. Premises needs to be a “safe”
area and biosecurity practices are the barriers producers can use
to keep disease out! The following is from the Texas Animal health
Commission (TAHC) and would be applicable to Tennessee producers.
1. Give “germs” the boot!
You wouldn’t think of eating off the floor at the local coffee
shop, livestock market…feed store or grocery. But, if you
walk around these places in your work boots, then head home and
work with your animals, you may be tracking “germs”
on the soles of your shoes to your pasture, animal bedding or any
livestock feed you step in.
Don’t take unwanted “guests” to your animals.
Either keep a pair of boots or shoes to wear only on your own premise,
or clean and disinfect your footwear before heading out to check
on livestock.
Commercial disinfectants are readily available, or you can mix
three parts bleach to two parts water in a small, flat tub. A quick
scrub of your boots with a long-handled brush will remove manure,
mud or debris, and the bleach or disinfectant will kill viruses,
germs and parasites.
Company coming? Ask your visitors and employees to clean their
boots, too. If you entertain prospective international buyers, you
might even consider providing them with rubber boots that are never
removed from your premise.
Where have your hands been? Handling animals at the livestock
market? In Great Britain, foot-and-mouth virus was spread at the
livestock auction by buyers inspecting the mouths of hundreds of
sheep.
2. Don’t haul home disease
Car, truck or trailer tires can harbor “germs,” too.
At the livestock market, you’ve probably driven through manure,
mud or muck. Taking a few minutes to spray disinfectant over your
tires can kill the “germs” you’ve picked up in
the parking lots, on dirt roads or in a friend’s pasture.
If you’ve been hauling livestock in your trailer, a quick
trip through the car wash is advisable before returning home.
3. Bucket brigades & tool trades
Borrowing equipment or tools from a neighbor? Carrying buckets,
shovels or wheelbarrows to use at the local fair or exhibit? You
can bet you’ve picked up “germs” at the event.
Don’t bring these items home until you’ve washed off
the “crud” and sprayed the equipment with disinfectant.
Clean and disinfect borrowed items before returning them!
4. Trash & Garbage: “Bag it!”
Control refuse on your premise. Don’t haul home trash or garbage
from your office, store or another site, unless it’s bagged
in plastic and sealed.
Never bring home meat scraps to feed livestock. Besides being illegal
to feed pigs meat scraps, it’s also a dangerous practice,
as viruses and bacteria can be alive in undercooked meat scraps.
5. Tourist OR terrorist?
Be aware of who is on your property! Strangers lurking near your
fence line, could be innocent tourists admiring the scenery and
your stock...or they could have sinister intentions. Ask questions
--or call the local law enforcement officials. These days, it pays
to be alert -- and justifiably suspicious!
Friends, family or business associates coming to visit? If they’ve
traveled internationally within the previous week, discourage them
from handling your livestock. At the very least, make certain their
footwear is disinfected. Some viruses can stay alive for several
days on clothing and footwear.
If you’ve traveled internationally, wash your clothes, shower
and clean your boots before going out to check on livestock or poultry.
Better yet, avoid getting near your animals for at least 48 hours
after traveling internationally, to ensure you don’t pass
any viruses that may be ‘harbored’ in your nasal passages.
6. Padlock your perimeter.
Lock your gates! Keep feed sacks and veterinary supplies in a secure
location. Don’t tempt someone to tamper with feed, supplements
or medicines.
7. Taking animals to a show or fair?
Don’t take chances with feed supplies and equipment at the
show grounds. With the increased threat of agricultural terrorism,
security is extremely important, particularly where unknown persons
have access to livestock or poultry.
8. Give ‘germs’ space!
Keep newly introduced animals isolated for at least two weeks.
Newly acquired animals should be isolated for at least two weeks,
to ensure you don’t introduce disease to your main herd or
flock. Although it’s not required, unless you import animals
from out of state, you might consider having your private practitioner
inspect animals prior to, or shortly after, making a purchase.
As an added precaution, consider keeping show animals segregated
for two weeks after they’ve been to a fair or exhibit. If
someone has introduced a disease at an event, you’ll be protecting
your main herd or flock.
9. Report signs of disease immediately!
Don’t wait to report unusual signs of disease to your private
practitioner.
Early reporting is crucial to the health and safety of YOUR herd
or flock and to the entire livestock and poultry industry!
Why be Concerned?
- A foreign animal disease outbreak could stop Tennessee’s
interstate and international livestock and poultry trade “dead
in its tracks.”
- Early reporting is the most important step in eradicating a
disease outbreak! Don’t be afraid of crying “wolf!”
- Don’t take shortcuts! Livestock health regulations were
developed to protect herds and flocks!
Signs of disease that should be reported immediately:
- Sudden, unexplained death loss in the herd or flock
- Severe illness affecting a high percentage of animals
- Blisters around an animal’s mouth, nose, teats or hooves.
- Unusual ticks or maggots.
- Staggering, falling or central nervous system disorders that
prevent animals from rising or walking normally.
Source: Everett, Carla, 2003, Biosecurity...Plain and Simple.
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), 11/22/03.
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