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In the News - October 2011
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| Good biosecurity practices help keep livestock free of diseases. |
PINE BLUFF, Ark. - For livestock producers, now is a critical time to have good biosecurity practices in place to protect herds from the occurrence and transfer of diseases. Many animals have been traveling to be shown in state and county fairs, and they may bring home more than ribbons. They may harbor parasites or diseases that producers haven’t had on their farms in the past, says Dr. David Fernandez, UAPB Extension livestock specialist.
“Animals at shows, or those purchased from sale barns, have the potential to be exposed to numerous diseases and disease strains from all over the state or country that they have never encountered before, and so have little resistance to them,” he said. “When you bring the animals onto your farm, you may introduce the new disease or parasite into your herd or flock at the same time.”
There are a few simple precautions producers should take to prevent the spread of diseases.
Hygiene
Properly dispose of dead animals.
Quarantine
“Probably the single most important thing we fail to do as livestock producers is quarantine new or returning animals,” Fernandez said. “You need to have a place where you can house these animals that will prevent them from coming into contact with your livestock for at least 30 days.” Any disease or parasite problems should have become evident by then.
Producers need to conduct tests on new or returning livestock for diseases that do not present signs. Trichomoniasis is one such disease in cattle. All bulls being sold in Arkansas for breeding must now be tested. Other diseases of concern include Johne’s disease in cattle, drug-resistant barberpole worms in sheep and goats, Newcastle disease in poultry, and Pasteurellosis or “snuffles” in rabbits.
For more information, contact your local Extension agent and ask for the Species Specific Educational Resource Team publications on biosecurity.
October 14, 2011
By Bobbie Crockett
Extension Specialist - Communications
UAPB School of Agriculture
Fisheries and Human Sciences
(870) 575-8227
crockettb@uapb.edu
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