Biosecurity On The Farm Is Vital

An outbreak of the H5N1 virus in dairy cattle across several states in recent months has served as a reminder for the importance of bio security within livestock and poultry operations.

“When we think about endemic diseases and foreign animal diseases, the bio security practices really protect against both,” noted Megan Neidenwerder with the Swine Health Information Center.  Her organization has been involved in bio security education and improved. Efforts to guard the swine and pork industry against various threats, such as African swine fever and foot and mouth disease that also includes research into bio security-oriented tools and innovations through SHIC's Weed to Harvest bio security research program.

“We've really started to develop some new tools and technologies, looking at what's the most bio secure manner to handle manure and manure management. What are some novel and innovative ways to think about reducing the need for vaccine crews? Or cleaning crews? Are there power washing capabilities or self-vaccination of pigs that could be utilized to reduce the number of people entering the hog farm?”

Neidenwerder acknowledges that cost effectiveness for the producer or operator is an important part of bio security innovation development.

“We request an economic analysis. How much would it cost to actually implement that tool or technology on the farm, and what's the differences in the economic analysis on a grow finish site versus a sow or? Breeding farm while we provide the most value back to producers.”

The importance of bio security research conducted by entities such as those within USDA and land grant universities is essential in strengthening bio security within the livestock operation.  Neidenwerder said, in that regard, studies within the national Agro and Biodefense facility, once it becomes fully functional, will, “allow those diagnostic assays for foreign animal diseases to be done right at the facility in Manhattan, KS.

"It's also going to be a facility that allows disease research, investigation of BSL three and BSL four agents. So agents such as ASDF foot and mouth disease virus so that we can be learning more about not only control and prevention. But thinking about new vaccines or mitigation tools to inactivate viruses and feed.” 

To learn more about those biosecurity efforts by Clicking Here.

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