Transcript Biosecurity for Your Dairy

Biosecurity
Dr. Pepi Leids
NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Division of Animal Industry
Modified by the GA Agriculture Education
Curriculum Office
July 2002
Why Should You Care?
Infectious diseases cost
dairy producers
production and profit
We are seeing increases in
antibiotic resistance,
making diseases harder to
treat effectively
We are in the FOOD
business
Why Should You Care?
Many clinical diseases
represent the tip of the
iceberg

Johne’s: 1 clinical = 15 25 subclinically infected
 $228/lactating cow
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BVD: 1 infected =
persistently infected
calves for years
 $475/lactating cow
Why Biosecurity?
Preventive approach to
herd health
Reduce the herd’s risk
for contracting or
spreading a disease
Often requires only
management changes,
not capital investment
What is Biosecurity?
A collection of
management practices
which protect a herd
from the entry of new
diseases and minimizes
the spread and/or
adverse effects of
disease within a herd.
The Animal Health Triad
Immunity and Challenge
Disease
Subclinical Disease, Disease
Poor Production,
Reduced Efficiency
Immunity
Low
(Immunity x Environment)
Moderate
Severe
Challenge (Disease Agent x Environment)
Putting Biosecurity to Work
Minimize exposure to disease agents
Develop immunity
Manage environment to support above points
Reducing Exposure to Disease
Consider the paths for disease entry or spread
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Cattle
 purchased animals, heifers returning from grower, show
animals
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Manure
Pests, pets, wildlife
Feed
Water
Take steps to minimize your risk
Cattle
Single source you can inspect
Known health history
Primary & secondary vaccine weeks
before move
Test as appropriate
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BVD-PI, Johne’s, contagious mastitis, heel
warts, salmonella
Protect the home herd
Transport
Insist on clean transport

washed between uses
 60% of trucks contaminated with salmonella
Don’t group animals from other farms
Trained, conscientious haulers
Minimize stress
Minimize Animal Contact
Pets

cats, dogs, chickens, geese
Pests
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rodents, birds, wildlife
Manure Management
Avoid mixing with feed
Consider flows
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near feed storage
near youngstock
Watch for carriers
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equipment
people
spreading
Feedstuffs - Mill to Farm
Rodent and bird control in feedmills

vectors for many bacterial diseases
Cleanliness of delivery trucks

alternatives to delivery at the barn
Drivers enter facilities only when
necessary
Keep Feed Clean
Rodent and bird control in
storage
Don’t use manure
equipment in feed handling
Preach caution in pushing
up feed
Be alert for areas where
manure could mix with feed
Don’t Tolerate Fomites
Every visitor should clean &
sanitize:
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clothes
boots
hands
equipment
Discourage visitors from:
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entering facilities unnecessarily
parking near or working with
youngstock
moving between different
groups unnecessarily
Consider the order of work
routines
Manage the Environment
Increase cow comfort
through:

Good stall design
 assess utilization,
lunging, & resting
posture
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Proper ventilation
Proper footing
Grouping cattle to
decrease disruption
Calving Area Management
Maternity pen is the
highest priority area
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clean and dry
single use
not a hospital pen
separate from cows
motel 6
Neonatal Management
Test for BVD-PI
status before
colostrum
Colostrum
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4 quarts ASAP
from calf’s own dam or
Johne’s free cow
NO pooled colostrum
Dip navel
Remove calf ASAP
Environment
Nutrition
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balanced for growth or
production
analyze & supplement
 Vit. A & E, Cu, Se, Zn
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avoid molds &
mycotoxins
 suppress immunity
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pay attention to forage
moisture levels and
particle length
 can alter rumen and
intestinal pH, making
harmful bugs more
viable
Immunity
Consult with your own &
customers’ vets
Establish vaccination
program which
addresses diseases from
all your customers
Keep records of
vaccinations
Cow & Calf Immunity
Role of vaccines &
colostrum
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protects calf from diseases
transferred across placenta
provides important passive
immunity for the calf
should take into account
any bugs that heifers might
encounter on your farm
Summary
Avoid the entry or spread of pathogens
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cattle, manure, feed, water, equipment, people
Manage the environment to:
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reduce spread of disease
optimize immunity
Maximize immunity
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optimal passive transfer: fetal & colostral
sound vaccination program rigorously adhered to