'Biosecurity' Methods for Dairy Herds

March 20, 2001

The National Milk Producers Federation has issued a "biosecurity plan" for dairy farmers to implement precautions against and minimize exposure to infectious diseases such as foot and mouth disease and be better prepared in the event of an outbreak in the United States. Such a plan is "of the utmost security," said NMPF. "Biosecurity" means managing a herd to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious diseases.

Maintaining a healthy herd is a concept "often overlooked," said NMPF. "The best resistance to disease is a healthy animal. Maintaining a facility, which is clean and relatively stress-free, in combination with best management practices provides the best fundamental program for disease prevention."

Farmers should not purchase any animals from any foreign country or source where cattle may have been associated with F&MD or any other foreign animal diseases. Nor should farmers allow foreign visitors on the farm unless decontaminated (footbath & clean clothing). Footwear can be cleaned with normal household disinfectant, washing liquid or vinegar.

If a person has had prior contact with livestock outside the United States, a 14-day interval should be imposed before they are permitted on a farm. Visitors are at risk for introduction of biological hazards. Therefore, access to farms and facilities should be restricted.

Producers should implement a quarantine program for all new animals purchased before being introduced into the herd. They should consult a veterinarian for quarantine advice before allowing animals from unknown sources to actually enter the herd. Farmers also should clean and maintain equipment to avoid biological, chemical or physical hazards.

Veterinary equipment should be disinfected and cleaned between use on individual cows, groups of animals, and farms. Animal identification equipment should be cleaned between individual cows, groups of animals, and farms. Foot trimming equipment should be disinfected and cleaned between individual cows, groups of animals, and farms. Farmers should report any strange signs of blistering around an animal's mouth or feet immediately to local veterinarian or state or federal veterinary medical offices.

Unauthorized vehicles and people should be restricted from entering animal protection areas. "Confine trucks and off facility traffic to certain areas of the facility. Such vehicles may visit numerous facilities and may spread disease among farms," NMPF advised.

Producers also should implement an active fly, rodent, and bird control program. "These vectors are well-documented carriers of disease," said NMPF.