Disease outbreaks cost farmers money, time and livestock. In severe cases, such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), they can bring farming operations to a standstill. Red Meat Industry Services and Afrivet recommend a simple, consistent biosecurity routine as your first and most effective line of defence.
Control who and what enters your farm
The fewer people who enter your farm, the lower the risk of introducing disease. Limit visitors to essential personnel, keep gates closed and locked, and use clear signage to indicate restricted areas.
All visitors should report to the office, sign in, and record their name, time of arrival and reason for the visit.
Vehicles are a significant disease risk. Spray wheels at the gate or provide disinfectant baths, and ensure the baths are kept clean and topped up. Animal-transport vehicles should always be cleaned and disinfected before loading, as disinfectants are ineffective on muddy or dirty surfaces.
Visitors should not have been in contact with cloven-hoofed animals for at least two days before arriving at your premises.
Veterinarians, consultants and other people who move between farms should change into clean clothing and boots upon arrival.
Also read: FMD | Practical biosecurity advice from North West vets
Your staff are part of your biosecurity team
Every person working on your farm is a potential spreader of disease – and every person can also help prevent it.
Staff who live off the farm should follow a “dry shower” routine when they arrive by removing their outside clothing and shoes and changing into clean workwear before entering production areas.
They should also sign a weekly declaration confirming they have not had contact with cloven-hoofed animals away from the farm.
Wash work clothes regularly. Consider using different-coloured overalls to identify work areas, for example, green for calf-rearing and grey for sick-animal pens.
Everyone should wash and disinfect their hands frequently, especially before feeding calves and after handling sick animals. Ensure every staff member understands the farm’s biosecurity procedures and can recognise the signs of diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease.
Also read: Biosecurity and economic survival as dual pillars in foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control
Protect your herd
- Every animal must be identified with an ear tag or other approved identification. Inspect all animals daily, and isolate any sick animals immediately. When working with livestock, always handle the youngest and healthiest animals first and sick animals last to reduce the risk of spreading disease.
- Keep accurate records of all treatments. If an animal dies, dispose of the carcass correctly by burying it at least two metres deep, away from livestock, or treating it with slaked lime. If two animals die within a short period, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Treat any new animal as a potential disease risk. Quarantine all incoming animals for 28 days in a fully fenced camp at least 20 metres from the main herd.
- Use separate clothing and equipment when handling quarantined animals, inspect them daily for signs of illness and keep detailed records. No animals should leave the farm during the quarantine period. Test new animals for brucellosis and tuberculosis before introducing them to the herd.
- Good hygiene is important. Always clean before disinfecting. Remove loose dirt with a brush or broom, wash with clean water, and only then apply disinfectant. Keep kraals, loading ramps and handling facilities clean, and store feed and equipment in a clean, dry place where rats and birds cannot contaminate them.
- Repair damaged fences promptly, maintain a buffer zone of at least 20 metres between your livestock and neighbouring animals, and position feed and water points away from boundary fences.
- Finally, keep accurate records of all visitors, deliveries, treatments and animal movement. Good record-keeping protects your livestock, your business and your ability to respond quickly should disease strike.
