PROTECT LIVESTOCK THROUGH BIOSECURITY

July 2024

Infectious diseases can have a devastating impact on the productivity of any livestock operation. Virtually every disease results in productivity losses, and in some cases, these losses can be substantial, particularly in larger operations where more animals are at risk. Production and quality can decrease, resulting in negative financial consequences. 

BIOSECURITY GUIDELINES 
The following biosecurity guidelines should be taken into consideration:

Disease familiarity
To prevent the spread of diseases, farmers need to have basic knowledge about the common diseases that are prevalent in their area – this includes symptoms and treatments. 

Contact with wildlife 
Livestock should have minimum access to cats, dogs and wildlife – all of which can spread diseases.

Isolating new additions 
When buying animals, ensure that you know their disease status. Ask for a veterinary certificate to prove that the new livestock are free from diseases. Follow these steps:

• Upon arrival, the new livestock may have been exposed to disease but are not yet showing clinical signs.
• Isolate new livestock for 28 days.
• The quarantine camp should be a minimum of 20 m to 30 m away from the home herd. 
• Isolation areas should be located downwind and downflow from the home herd.
• No feed bunks or water sources may be shared between the two herds.
• Ensure you know the vaccination programme of the previous farm – this will help you to know for which diseases they have been vaccinated.

Controlling traffic
Employees or visitors, especially those who have contact with animals from other livestock operations, can introduce disease agents from another farm via their boots, clothing, vehicles or other equipment. Follow these directions to prevent this:

• Limit the number of people dealing with animals and accessing facilities. 
• Implement the use of footbaths and wheel baths on your farm. Make sure that everyone uses them, and regularly clean and refill them with an appropriate product to ensure effectiveness.
• Begin working with the animals that are the youngest and most susceptible to diseases first. 
• Control vehicle traffic, particularly rendering or delivery trucks.
• Keep a record of visitors.

Sanitation
Understanding and implementing waste management procedures, as well as maintaining clean operating facilities and equipment, are critical biosecurity management tactics for which all employees should share the responsibility. These are important rules to implement: 

• Ensure that everybody wash their hands regularly.
• Always wash and sanitise boots before and after entering the areas where separated groups of animals are kept.
• Ensure that all overalls are washed on a regular basis.
• Keep all feed ingredients clean, dry and as free as possible of rodents, which are notorious disease-carrying pests.

Vaccination plan
Vaccinating against the most economically devastating diseases is added insurance against disease outbreaks.

• Customise a vaccination plan for your farm. 
• Consider compulsory vaccinations.
• Vaccinating young animals helps to build a well-protected herd/flock.
• Maternal antibody interference with the vaccination, the impact of stress, nutrition and infectious organisms, the importance of boosters and adverse reactions should also be considered.

Colostrum
Newborns need time to develop antibodies and therefore must rely on antibodies obtained from the mother via colostrum, which immediately helps to protect the youngsters. 

Newborns should get 10% of their body weight through high-quality colostrum within the first twelve hours of their lives. Within six to nine hours after birth, they lose 50% of their ability to absorb antibodies via the colostrum. After 24 hours, virtually all antibody absorption ability is gone. Make sure you deworm youngsters and ensure the drinking water is not stagnant.

Mortality
Animal deaths represent the least desirable health outcome. Once a death has occurred, it is important to determine the cause to prevent future deaths and improve the health of the herd.

• Animals should not be allowed to go anywhere near the material of a dead infected animal, such as a carcass, saliva or blood. Animals should also be kept away from grazing in an area where a diseased animal died.
• The animal material should be disposed of properly by burial/burning in a secluded area.

Publication: July 2024

Section: Pula/Imvula

Author: RED MEAT INDUSTRY SERVICES