Rachael Boyle, Phillips-Rooks District Extension Agent Agriculture and Natural Resources

Livestock and Poultry Biosecurity

Biosecurity means doing everything you can to reduce the chances of an infectious disease being carried onto your farm by people, animals, equipment, or vehicles. It also means doing everything you can to reduce the chance of disease leaving your farm. Biosecurity practices can reduce the risk of introducing a disease onto your farm or spreading it to neighboring farms. Healthy herds and flocks contribute to the health of U.S. animal agriculture as a whole.

An important first step is to identify some of the greatest risks for introducing disease to your farm.

Today’s global marketplace gives more access than ever before to agricultural commodities from around the world. It also requires greater vigilance to ensure that imports and exports comply with international standards for trade. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) works to maintain clear rules for trade involving animals and animal products arriving in and leaving the United States. Unfortunately, illegal agricultural imports and smuggled prohibited products pose an evergreater threat on a daily basis. Through its various programs and laboratories, APHIS’ diligence helps protect our country from foreign animal diseases.

On the farm, one of the greatest risks comes from bringing new animals onto your premises, commingling, or exposing your animals to other animals. It is a common way to introduce new disease-causing organisms. As a rule of thumb, new animals and those who have been commingled or exposed to other animals should be segregated for 30 days.

Farm visitors can pose a risk, particularly if they have been on other farms with animals or have recently been in other countries with diseases exotic to the United States.

Farm equipment that has been in contact with livestock or manure can be a source of infection. Equipment should not be shared with other farms unless it has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before it reaches your property.

The following do’s and don’ts provide some basic tips for you to help prevent foreign animal disease outbreaks.

Keep Your Distance— Restrict access to your property and your livestock or poultry, and post a sign. Have one area where visitors can enter. Do not allow visitors near livestock or poultry unless necessary, and then make sure visitors have clean footwear (disposable boots work well) and clothes (supply these for them). Have an area where visitors can change clothes and provide shower-in, ties if possible. Discourage handling of animals by all visitors. Require and teach biosecurity to family, employees, and all visitors coming into, or involved with your livestock or poultry production area.

Keep It Clean—You, your staff, and your family should follow biosecurity procedures for cleanliness. Wear clean clothes, scrub your shoes/boots with disinfectant, and wash hands thoroughly. Keep equipment and vehicles clean and insist that all machinery and vehicles must be cleaned before entering your property. Maintain programs to control birds and rodents that can carry and spread diseases.

Don’t Haul Disease Home—If you, your family, or employees have been on other farms, at feed lots, petting zoos, auctions, or other places where there is livestock and poultry, clean and disinfect your truck or car tires and equipment before going home. If you have shown livestock or birds at a fair or exhibition, or are bringing in new animals, keep them separated from the rest of your herd or flock for 30 days after the event. Always change clothes and wash your hands before returning to your animals.

Don’t Borrow Disease from Your Neighbor— Do not share equipment, tools, or other supplies with your neighbors or other livestock or poultry owners. If you do share these items, be sure to clean and disinfect them before they reach your property.

Look for Signs of Infectious Diseases—You should know what diseases are of concern for your herd or flock and be on the lookout for unusual signs or behavior, severe illness and/or sudden deaths. When possible, assess the health of your animals daily. Early detection is important to prevent the spread of disease.

Report Sick Animals and Don’t Wait—Report serious or unusual animal health problems to your veterinarian or State or Federal animal health officials. USDA operates a toll-free hotline (1–866– 536–7593) with veterinarians to help you. There is no charge for this service. By following these biosecurity principles, you can reduce the risk of introducing a disease onto your farm.

For more information, please contact the local K-State Research and Extension Office.

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