Beef producers feel the responsibility of keeping their herds and those in contact with their cattle safe, and they appreciate practical tools that support their disease prevention practices. When it comes to biosecurity practices on beef cattle operations, limiting hazards and appropriately responding with good management are key in disease prevention. These practices ultimately protect the herd and the Canadian livestock industry from the animal health and economic impacts of foreign animal diseases, including Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
To increase awareness of available tools for farmers and ranchers, a collaborative effort between the BCRC and Animal Health Canada (AHC) is currently underway ensuring that prevention and emergency response resources are being tailored specifically to the needs of Canadian beef producers.
Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly infectious virus that has serious consequences for the beef industry and populations of beef cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals worldwide, including severe economic and animal health impacts. Canada currently has an FMD-free without vaccination trade status and maintaining this status is the responsibility of all sectors within the industry.
Everyday Biosecurity Practices That Protect Cattle
Daily habits go a long way to reduce or prevent the spread of disease. Understanding the every-day risks of introducing disease to a beef cattle herd helps protect the animals and the people who care for them.
It is helpful to consider potential ways disease could enter your herd, including:
- shared fencelines,
- buying replacement heifers or bulls,
- borrowing trailers or other equipment,
- outsourcing farm work or
- hosting visitors from another farm or other countries.
Implementing biosecurity strategies that work on your farm can stop disease from entering, spreading and leaving your herd:
- Cleaning and disinfecting protocols
- Good management techniques, including vaccination protocols and animal husbandry to keep animals at a low risk of infection
- Good hygiene practices, including working with animals with the least exposure to pathogens to the animals with the greatest exposure to pathogens
- Quarantine protocols for animals leaving or entering the operation
- Hygiene protocols for people, animals and equipment leaving or entering the premises
On a broader scale, the biosecurity measures you implement are essential to keeping the Canadian Livestock industry thriving and free of reportable diseases and trade-limiting diseases including FMD.
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