By Jennifer Dorsett
Field Editor
To help ranchers prevent disease transmission in their herds and safeguard the health of livestock, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) beef checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program developed a Daily Biosecurity Plan for Disease Prevention template.
The customizable template includes an 11-step process that will assist ranchers in designing a workable biosecurity plan for their operation. It is available as a fillable PDF, which can be edited digitally, or printed for handwritten plans.
“Biosecurity is a top priority for the beef industry,” Kim Brackett, chair of BQA’s Advisory Group, said in a press release announcing the new resource. “This tool allows beef farmers and ranchers to develop their own biosecurity plans unique to their operations. Being proactive and developing a written plan ahead of a crisis allows producers to implement and become familiar with biosecurity precautions. Even more importantly, producers will be prepared if a biosecurity threat were to happen.”
Training employees on biosecurity and how to limit disease exposure on a daily basis are covered in the material. Also covered are records of animal movement, including quarantining of new herd additions and developing a contingency plan for interrupted animal movement.
According to the document, carcass disposal, manure management and wildlife and pest control are additional topics to consider in developing a daily biosecurity plan.
In addition to supplying basic information on herd biosecurity practices and their importance, the template encourages ranchers to talk with their veterinarian, Extension agent and state BQA coordinator about biosecurity preparedness.
The tool was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Secure Beef Supply project, a partnership between USDA, Iowa State University and Kansas State University.