How do farmers maintain on-farm biosecurity?

While there’s little we can do on-farm about things coming in to the country, there are a few simple, low-cost (or free) things on-farm which can be done to reduce the risks of a pest or disease affecting your plants or livestock.

Early detection and recognition is important to the eradication of any exotic diseases threatening the agricultural industry. There are a number of procedures you can put in place and questions you should ask including:

• Are livestock of unknown health status kept separate from vulnerable stock?
• Is stock feed inspected on delivery to ensure it is fit for purpose (e.g., free from pest damage and visual contaminants)? If damaged or contaminated, is there a plan in place for its disposal?
• Are owners and staff aware of the importance in minimising the lending and borrowing of equipment between properties?
• Are farm contractors such as veterinarians, livestock agents and transport vehicles notified of their permitted areas of access to the farm prior to their entry?
• You might ask workers to wear overalls or other PPE such as shoe covers
• As your crops grow, an inspection every now and then will help you spot and manage any changes.
• If you see something that doesn’t look right, get some advice.

There are some simple steps you can implement now, that can make a big difference in the future. Keep reading at the Safe Ag Systems blog.

This article contribution is from Safe Ag Systems.