In the world of agriculture, maintaining a healthy and productive farm is paramount. One of the key components to achieving this is through effective farm biosecurity measures. Biosecurity doesn’t just protect farm animals, other animals and humans. Its job is to safeguard nurseries, fruit growers, vegetable producers, nuts, flowers and turf, while providing a plan to respond and recover from environmental threats.
Australia is known as one of the safest countries in the world when it comes to biosecurity and our biosecurity system safeguards vital sectors, including agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, which contribute $51 billion to exports. Being a whopping big island certainly has its advantages, but there are a number of threats we can prepare for when it comes to on-farm biosecurity. Does your farm have a biosecurity plan? There are some simple steps you can implement now, that can make a big difference in the future.
Advantages of Implementing Biosecurity Measures
You may already be implementing good biosecurity measures on your farm without even realising it. The new boundary fences you’ve installed, where you buy your fodder or tracking who you purchase livestock from, are all part of supporting biosecurity measures. Whilst good on-farm, biosecurity practices reduce the spread of endemic diseases, they also reduce the risk or financial impact if an outbreak was to occur.
Implementing biosecurity measures offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance the health and safety of your farming business and the ecosystems. One of the main advantages is the prevention of disease outbreaks, which can devastate livestock and crops.
By establishing strict protocols for the movement of animals, equipment, and workers, farms can minimise the risk of introducing pathogens that could lead to widespread infections. This proactive approach not only protects the immediate farming environment but also contributes to the overall sustainability of agricultural practices, ensuring that food production remains stable and reliable.
In addition to disease prevention, biosecurity measures can also improve the economic viability of farming operations. By safeguarding against potential losses from disease outbreaks, farmers can maintain their productivity and profitability.
Implementing these measures can enhance consumer confidence in food safety, as buyers are increasingly concerned about the origins and handling of their food. The adoption of biosecurity measures is a smart investment that brings significant health and financial advantages to the agricultural industry.
The importance of Biosecurity on-farm
The significance of biosecurity in agricultural settings cannot be overstated, it serves as the first line of defense against potential threats to farm productivity. A well-structured biosecurity plan helps to minimise risks associated with pests, pathogens, and contaminants, which can have far-reaching effects on both animal and plant health. By fostering a culture of biosecurity awareness among farm workers and stakeholders, farmers can create a safer environment that promotes resilience and productivity. This proactive approach not only enhances the farm's operational efficiency but also supports the broader goal of sustainable agriculture.
Despite best efforts of AQIS, Department of Agriculture and other agencies, sometimes things slip through the net. 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, weeds or disease affecting your plants or livestock.
How do farmers maintain biosecurity?
Early detection and recognition is important to the eradication of any exotic diseases threatening the livestock industry. There are a number of procedures you can put in place and questions you should ask including:
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are livestock inspected for their health status?
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Are livestock of unknown health status kept separate from vulnerable stock?
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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?
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Are owners and staff aware of the importance in minimising the lending and borrowing of equipment between properties?
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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?
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Do you adhere to the NLIS legislation of the relevant state/territory at all times?
You can find a range of templates to assist with creating your biosecurity plan at Farm Biosecurity
Practical Biosecurity Measures for Farmers
Early detection and recognition is important to the eradication of any exotic diseases threatening the livestock industry. There are a number of procedures you can put in place and questions you should ask including:
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are livestock inspected for their health status?
-
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?
-
Do you adhere to the NLIS legislation of the relevant state/territory at all times?
You can find a range of templates to assist with creating your biosecurity plan at Farm Biosecurity
Livestock
New livestock should be put in a quarantine paddock, well away from existing stock for 21-28 days and monitored. If you can, keep this paddock close to the main entrance so you can unload from transport into the assigned paddock without having the truck driving through other production areas. Of course, keep the NLIS database up to date.
Keep an eye on all livestock for signs of illness or disease. Watch for:
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a lot of ill or dead animals including birds or aquatic animals
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rapid spread of disease through a herd or flock
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animals that are lame, drooling or salivating excessively
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animals that have ulcers, erosions or blisters around the feet, muzzle, udder or teats and/or in the mouth
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unusual nervous signs
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respiratory distress or persistent coughing in horses
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deep smelly, fly struck wounds
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any unusual or unfamiliar disease in animals, birds or aquatic animals
Watch out for strays as well – hopefully they don’t bring problems with them.
Vehicles
Restrict visitor vehicles to non-production areas. Vehicles can carry spores, seeds and pests so don’t let them near paddocks, stock, animals or other areas you want to keep weed and disease free.
If you’re permitting a vehicle into production areas, give it a good wash from the top down with a high-pressure washer to get rid of seeds and spores. Of course, do this in an area where the water run off won’t get into waterways or production areas.
People
Seeds and spores can be carried on clothing and in shoe treads including dirt and mud stuck to shoes. If someone is going into production areas, have them use a footbath to properly scrub and disinfect shoes. You might ask them to wear overalls or other PPE such as shoe covers.
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Limit access points to just one. This way, you can easily monitor all movements and keep track of who is on-site
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Direct all visitors to a specific parking area and have them sign a visitor log
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Minimise visitor interaction with livestock, crops, or plant materials
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Disinfect hands before and after handling livestock, plant materials, or soil
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Workers should also clean and disinfect tools like pruning shears between uses on different properties
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Inform workers about the signs of pest or disease outbreaks and ensure they know how to report them
Plants
Look for things such as unusual wilting, discolouration or staining. Watch for things like beetles, snails, flies, larvae, or fungal growth. Some plants could look like they have died and browned.
As your crops grow, an inspection every now and then will help you spot and manage any changes. Unusual weeds should be recorded and reported as well.
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familiarise yourself with the common weeds in your area
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Create a weed management strategy for your farm
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If you notice anything out of the ordinary, be sure to report it right away
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Ask your supplier for a declaration confirming that their products are free from weed seeds
Feed and other supplies
Know where your feed and other supplies are coming from. Make sure you get the vendor declaration paperwork when feed and supplies arrive on your property. Keep new feed and supplies stored appropriately, separating from existing supplies if possible. Out-of-date feed can contain harmful organisms and pests that could pose a risk to your livestock.
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Store feed in a tidy, dry location to maintain its quality
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Make sure feed storage areas are covered to protect against moisture and mold
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Frequently check your feed supplies to confirm they are secure and suitable for use
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Regularly clean feed troughs to prevent contamination
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Safely dispose of any old or spoiled feed, keeping it away from animals
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Quickly clean up any feed spills to stop them from spreading by wind or other methods
Chemicals
The presence of chemical residues can cause produce to be turned away from both export and local markets. Additionally, much of the produce is intended for human consumption, even if it’s initially fed to livestock, making the misuse of pesticides a potential health risk for people because of these residues.
The improper use of various chemicals can result in pests developing resistance, which may introduce new biosecurity threats and complicate management efforts.
Reporting
If you see something that doesn’t look right, get some advice.
If you are located in Australia:
For animals, contact your vet or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline in 1800 675 888
For plants, your local agronomist could help, or contact the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881
What can Safe Ag Systems help you manage biosecurity?
Incorporating Safe Ag Systems allows farmers to establish clear guidelines, policies and procedures for hygiene practices. This includes regular cleaning and disinfection of equipment and facilities. This proactive approach not only helps in preventing the introduction of harmful pest and diseases but also promotes a culture of biosecurity awareness among farm workers. Training sessions and educational resources empower your workers to recognise the importance of biosecurity measures and follow them carefully and consistently.
Farmers can use Safe Ag Systems to enhance their biosecurity efforts. Farmers can make informed decisions that strengthen their biosecurity practices, ultimately leading to healthier livestock and more sustainable farming operations.
In order to support biosecurity efforts of Safe Ag Systems clients, our team have created a Policy and Checklist Template in our program. Contact our team on 08 8490 0939 to find out more. Remember your Biosecurity Plan should be reviewed and updated as advice changes for your region, state or territory.
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Disclaimer: Content on this website may be of relevance to users outside of Australia, but content links and examples are specific to Australia. Please check with your local authority for your country and industry requirements.
