Ren Tip # 84 11/6/15 Biosecurity on Farm (adapted from Penn State University Extension Webinar) When you thin Biosecurity, you think of preventing disease outbreak on your farm and stopping outbreaks if they occur from leaving in products on your farm. But what does this entail? Many farmers give antibiotics to sick cows and cull those that do not get better, but is there more to the puzzle of a healthy farm? The answer is yes. Biosecurity is a 3 part process: screening and testing incoming animals, isolation of newly purchased or returning (from fair) animals and monitoring the system. Some farms might entertain these vague principles, when is the last time the system has been evaluated to ensure biosecurity. When starting a new biosecurity system or reviewing a current one a few key points to keep in mind are: What are the Farm goals? Do you need to worry about foreign diseases due to overseas purchases or just local farm diseases such as Salmonella spp., mastitis and Johne s? Where are there critical control points or key areas of contamination to examine a plan for? Who needs to know what to do on farm to enact these processes? How is the animal flow on your farm? Is it from most susceptible (newborn calves) to least (cull)? What risk due farm areas pose? How could they transfer a problem around farm? What threats due visitors pose on your farm? Do you warn them of restricted areas?
Take the time to re-evaluate your Biosecurity protocols. Attached is an amended document from Penn State University Extension on purchasing livestock.
For Purchased Cattle: CHECKLIST IF YOU BUY CATTLE Know the herd of origin their health practices? vaccine history? herd testing for diseases of concern to you sale animal testing for diseases of concern to you Test prepurchase: Best when done 2 to 4 weeks prior to movement of sale animals; testing will depend on diseases of concern to your herd; possible diseases to test for: Brucellosis Tuberculosis Bovine leukosis virus Johne's disease Salmonella Contagious mastitis (S. aureus, Strep. ag, mycoplasma) BVD-persistent infection Neospora Avoid carrying diseases home When visiting sales barn, or other cattle-purchase site, use disposable footwear or clean and disinfect your boots/clothing. Haul in a clean truck Use clean, dry truck - preferably your own vehicle - to haul purchased animals; clean and sanitize your truck, before and after hauling purchased cattle. If contract hauler be sure truck is cleaned prior to hauling your animals. Test postpurchase: If testing cannot be done prepurchase or if additional information on disease status is needed, test animals as soon as possible after arrival, while they are isolated from the herd. Test for those diseases of concern to your herd (see above list) Isolate new arrivals Minimum of two weeks (Best 4 weeks) Milk purchased cattle last or with separate milking equipment Milk last until determined free of contagious mastitis organisms Avoid drug residue Ask if purchased cows have been treated with antibiotics; when? what drug(s)? Test milk before putting it in the tank Vaccinate with all herd vaccines If immunization status is unknown vaccinate 2-3 days after arrival use MLV vaccines if animals are not pregnant. If killed products are used, repeat booster in 2-4 weeks. Observe for evidence of contagious diseases Daily observation, particularly for signs of respiratory disease VSE-9.6-1 Buying Cattle? Here's What You Should Know 8
GUIDELINES For PURCHASING COWS AND HEIFERS (Information provided by Michigan State University Extension) Mastitis, BVD, sterility, poor milk production, and behavioral problems are just a few of the concerns when purchasing cows or heifers. Reasons for purchasing cows or heifers can affect the health of new additions. Purchasing cows or heifers as a result of ongoing health problems in the herd will likely affect the health of new animals. Health problems should be solved before bringing new animals onto the premises. Dairy producers purchasing springing heifers or cows to expand the herd, or purchasing younger replacements, should take the time to search for animals based on criteria that increase the likelihood of success. The following check list should help you determine which animals are right for your herd. Checklist for purchasing cows or heifers One should score 13 "Yes" votes Less than 10 "Yes" votes would be unacceptable Bred AI with known bred date Production records available From herd with less than 200,000 BTSCC SCC or milk culture on each cow Vaccinated for BVD, IBR, Lepto Similar housing and feeds Confirmed pregnant Heifers are correct size and weight for age All animals at body condition of 3.0-3.25 Heifers have known dam/sire Animals clearly identified Foot problems or diseases Return policy on heifers with blind quarters TOTAL: YES NO VSE-9.6-1 Buying Cattle? Here's What You Should Know 9
Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Bovine Leukosis Virus (BLV) Biosecurity Measures For The Prevention and/or Control of Infectious Disease (Format and some information provided by Michigan State University Extension) Disease Tests Available Vaccination/Therapy Other Bovine Spongioform Encephalopathy (BSE or Mad Cow Disease) Cryptosoridosis Digital Dermatitis (Heel Warts) Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis virus (IBR) Johne's Disease (Mycobacterium paratuberculosis) Mastitis-contagious Streptococcus agalactiae Staphylococcus aureus Mycoplasma bovis Neospora Escherichia coli (E. coli) ETEC (enterotoxingenic E. coli) AEEC (EHEC, EPEC) Rota virus/coronairus Salmonella Test incoming cattle by virus isolation (Cows/Heifers and Bulls). Test newborns from incoming pregnant heifers/cows by virus isolation. Test Resident herd by virus isolation Test incoming cattle by serology. Determine status of resident herd. If +, take management steps to reduce spread. Immunize resident herd with killed or MLV vaccine. Immunize purchased animals with killed or MLV vaccine. Isolate new additions for 3-4 weeks. None Proper on-farm practices to limit spread - i.e. single needles, disinfect dehorners/tattoo instruments, single palpation sleeve, etc. Diagnosed at necropsy None Avoid feeding ruminant by-product feeds. Observe import regulations. ELISA No Vaccine Available Improve sanitation practices to reduce the Immuno FA spread and severity of infections. ( clean Direct microscopy of feces pens, clean feeders & feeding equipment) None Available Virus isolation Serology Test cattle by ELISA or fecal culture. Test resident herd by ELISA and/or fecal culture (certified free status). Milk culture Histology on abortions. ELISA serology ELISA test on fecals for ETEC Culture fecal samples/pcr Histopathology ELISA Viral isolation Necropsy lesions ELISA - serum Fecal cultures Treat daily for 5-7 days with tetracycline applied as a topical spray Immunize resident and incoming herd with MLV, chemically altered, or killed vaccine. Immuninization in exceptional circumstances, PDA approval Reduces clinical disease, infection remains Strep ag - Treat all infected cattle. Staph aureus - Dry cow therapy & clinical cases M. bovis - No treatment Provisional Approval Efficacy in infected animals is unknown Vaccinate cows in dry period K 99 at birth for ETEC No vaccine available for AEEC Vaccinate cow in dry period Vaccinate calves at birth Vaccines available, but of questionable benefit. Antiserum Pre-purchase exam for evidence of lesions. Isolate for 3-4 weeks. Isolate for 3-4 weeks at introduction. Buy from Johne's certified free herd. Segregate cows from calves until Johne's status is determined. Use proper milking technique to reduce spread (i.e. pre/post-dip, single use towels, dry cow therapy, etc. Purchase from reputable source. Colostrum to calves at birth Evaluate feeding practices Evaluate housing & sick calf management Rota virus vaccination may not prevent the disease due to newer strains. Sanitation Purchase from closed herds. Test purchase animals-serum ELISA. Sanitation VSE-9.6-1 Buying Cattle? Here's What You Should Know 10