Biosecurity plan ready?

By Emma Franklin, Veterinarian, Anexa Vets Matamata

We have all learned a lot recently about how good biosecurity is an important tool to keep disease out. Gypsy Day is just around the corner….is your Biosecurity Plan ready?

“Good biosecurity reduces the risk of introducing or spreading disease, weeds or both between farms and within farm.”

Whether you are moving to a new farm with your current herd unchanged or creating an entirely new herd by bringing together animals from several sources or simply bringing your heifers home from grazing, the same Biosecurity principles apply.

There are a lot of factors to consider when introducing new stock. Anexa vets have a great understanding of what’s important and are here to help you work through the process, whether you want a complete plan or just want some clarification here or there.

Afterall, we all know that ‘prevention is better than cure’, so let’s make sure we prevent any unwanted introductions this Gypsy Day.

Quarantine

Do you have a plan to ensure new arrivals are kept separate from your current animals for 7 days?

• which paddocks?
  
• what precautions need to be taken?

Remember: Anexa Vets can examine animals if you have any concerns that they may be unwell after arriving on your property. We can carry out tests or treatments where needed or provide certification, if appropriate.

Parasite control

- Reduce the risk of introducing drench resistant parasites to your herd.

• Quarantine drench with a combination product organised for new arrivals? Contact us for further vet advice or the latest drench deals

Animal Health & Vaccination Records

Do you have herd and individual treatment records for all newly introduced stock and understand the implications e.g.

• Herd test records - high cell count cows pose a risk for introducing contagious mastitis bugs, e.g. Staph aureus
  
• Dairy Antibiogram (DAB) Results – are your new cows coming from a herd with evidence of antibiotic resistant mastitis bugs?
  
• BVD history – does the stock you are buying have lifetime individual BVD testing records e.g. ear-notching? Do the bulk tank monitoring results show signs of recent or historic BVD infection? What is the difference and what does this mean for your herd? Is your herd already immune? Or is it naïve? Do you need to vaccinate? We can answer all these questions for you by looking at the results.

Vaccinations

• Do you have copies of all vaccination certificates?
  
• Are the animals up to date?
  
• When are their next vaccinations due?
  
• Have they received the right vaccinations for their circumstances?

Anexa Vets can create a farm-specific vaccination plan for all ages of stock. These are particularly useful for split calving herds who have several mobs to keep track of. Vaccinations that may be included in a plan are BVD, Lepto, rotavirus, salmonella, IBR (Catarrh), clostridial diseases (e.g. Blackleg).

Boundary Fences

• Do your neighbouring properties have stock that may be a disease risk to your herd? Many diseases are spread through direct animal contact, so it is important that you do not graze boundary paddocks at the same time as your neighbour’s stock. Double fencing your boundary (at least 2 meters apart) or hedges are good ways to prevent nose to nose contact.

Equipment and Machinery & Disinfection Planning

• Will all farm equipment be cleaned when it arrives?
  
• Will all borrowed gear & contractors’ equipment be cleaned?
  
• Disinfection point planned / set up?
  
  • remember to check if you need to order product
    
  • ensure water used to wash equipment does not go into your waterways or wastewater irrigation system as this can spread unwanted weeds and diseases.

There are many points to consider when planning and evaluating risk - If you would like help assessing your farm’s Biosecurity Risk to help prevent disease taking hold on your farm or have any questions, talk to your Anexa Vet, we are here to help.

Date Added: Tuesday, 28th April 2020