Biosecurity Measures
Biosecurity practices are simple steps you can take to keep diseases out of your farm, and out of our food supply. Your farm should be a safe zone. Here’s what you need to know to provide an extra measure of protection for your animals:
Who is at risk?
- Swine
- Cattle
- Sheep
- Your Farm
- Poultry
- Horses
- Goats
- Our Economy
Steps of Prevention:
- Limit non-essential traffic on the farm.
- Allow only clean, disinfected vehicles on your property.
- Keep a record of all farm visitors.
- Have only one entrance/exit.
- Provide disposable footwear.
- Keep other animals and strangers off the property.
Animal Safety:
- Only buy livestock from a reputable dealer.
- New animals to the farm should be quarantined for 2 weeks, minimize co-mingling.
- Keep show animals segregated for two weeks after the fair.
- Use separate equipment for health and sick animals.
- Look for signs of infectious diseases.
- Report sick animals.
Minimize Contamination:
- Don’t bring unwanted germs into your farm.
- Keep a separate pair of boots for use on the farm, around your animals.
- Require disposable footwear for any visitors.
- Keep a footbath with a disinfectant solution on hand (4 oz bleach, 1 gallon water).
- Spray disinfectant on all vehicle and trailer tires before returning to the farm.
- Discourage visitors who have been to foreign countries in the last 7 days.
- Don’t borrow tools or equipment from other farms.
Report Signs of Disease Immediately:
State veterinarians will work with you at no charge to take samples for diagnostic tests. Early reporting is critical to the health and safety of your herd/flock and the future of our industry.
Signs of Disease:
- Sudden, unexplained death in the herd/flock.
- Severe illness affecting a high percentage of animals.
- Blisters around an animal’s mouth, nose, hooves.
- Staggering, falling or nervous system disorders that prevent animals from rising or walking normally.
What You Can Do Today:
To develop a biosecurity plan that fits your operation, call your local veterinarian.
Register Your Livestock Premises -
Protect your herd by allowing animal health officials to rapidly identify all animals and premises that have had direct contact with disease. (217) 782-4944