Biosecurity on the Farm
Biosecurity refers to measures taken to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases and pests that can negatively affect the health and well-being of humans, animals, and plants. Biosecurity involves a range of practices and procedures intended to prevent the transmission of diseases, parasites, etc. within and between herds.
Regularly testing for diseases is an essential part of biosecurity. It detects infectious or contagious diseases and parasites, preventing their spread among herds, reducing the risk of transmission to other animals. All of our animals have been tested. But, we made a mistake by bringing animals to our farm that had not already undergone biosecurity testing. More on that later.
Here are the biosecurity practices we have put in place:
1. Quarantine: New animals are quarantined in a "dry lot" (no grass) before being introduced to the herd/flock and sent out to pasture. It enables us to monitor their health, prevent diseases from spreading within the herd/flock and allows us to get to know them and bond with them (Note: it is much easier to care for an animal when you’ve earned their trust!).
2. Biosecurity testing: We ensure that all our animals are tested for all communicable diseases. Before we ever brought new animals onto our farm, we scheduled a veterinarian to come to the farm upon their arrival to do vaccinations and testing. However, going forward, we will go one step further and we will not accept an animal that hasn’t already tested negative for all communicable diseases.
3. Hygiene: We are cognizant of hand washing and sanitizing our hands and all equipment we use. Anything that administers medications or supplements (needles, drenchers, etc.) are sterilized. Feeding and watering bowls are washed regularly, and stalls and run-ins are cleaned regularly.
4. Vaccination: Our animals are regularly vaccinated to protect them against common diseases.
5. Monitoring: We don’t just check on our animals, but spend time with them, so that we can monitor their health and identify any potential issues early. We observe their behaviors and energy levels, check their poop (that’s right, their poop is a great indicator of health), observe their eating and drinking habits, and regularly check each animal’s eyelids to determine a FAMACHA score.
There's much more to say about biosecurity. What you might take away from this is that life on the farm is not just about fun and games. Although we prefer to share only the delightful moments with you, animal protection is our top priority, which sometimes means hard work, making challenging decisions and learning tough lessons.