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- The effects of metabolic diseases can seriously damage the red meat industry.
- During quarantine periods all new animals are given a unique electronic identity and their first vaccines.
- Dr Jade Hilton believes the secret to success lies in various biosecurity control points, and carefully planned and executed actions that help limit risks.
- Producers need to perform a risk assessment of diseases which will then become part of the farm’s biosecurity plan.
- It is essential for a producer to quarantine new animals for 28 days as per the state’s prescribed measures.
The effects of metabolic diseases such as ruminal acidosis or highly contagious viral diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) can seriously damage the red meat industry in South Africa – and to a greater extent feedlots where numerous animals are grouped together. To prevent the outbreak of disease it is imperative to implement effective biosecurity measures that all feedlots must adhere to. In terms of a farm feedlot, the onus rests on the livestock producer, staff, and everyone involved in the feedlot to refrain from taking unnecessary risks. In addition, biosecurity measures at big feedlots such as Karan Beef are expensive.
Strict quarantine
According to Dr Jade Hilton, Karan Beef’s veterinarian, they follow a strict 28-day quarantine period despite the endless logistics involved in the process. These measures are non-negotiable as the red meat industry and food security must be protected against the destructive effects of animal diseases such as FMD.
During this quarantine period all new animals are given a unique electronic identity and their first vaccines. “We also examine each animal’s mouth very thoroughly,” says Dr Hilton. “As soon as the quarantine period expires the animals are transported to the feedlot where they must pass through various biosecurity control points.
“All vehicles that enter the feedlot are hosed down with disinfectant. All people must first walk through a spray tunnel where a citric acid solution is released. In addition, every truck is washed and disinfected in-between daily loads.”
Know and understand the rules
Dr Hilton says preventing diseases from entering a biosecurity environment such as a feedlot is not as simple as it sounds. She believes the secret to success lies in various biosecurity control points, and carefully planned and executed actions that help limit risks.
“Every feedlot employee must understand why the biosecurity area functions as it does and why certain measures apply. These are compulsory measures implemented in a way that causes the least discomfort; however, they are still highly effective in preventing the outbreak of disease. For example, if a footbath is in the wrong place someone can momentarily forget about it, which will lead to unnecessary risks.”
Dr Hilton regards the following three principles as imperative for sound biosecurity:
- Paperwork: The administrative portion of biosecurity includes the traceability of animals, control over animal movement, and the registration of visitors and vehicles entering the premises.
- Biosecurity barriers: The feedlot must be properly fenced with instructions as to where specific biosecurity measures apply. This includes, among others, areas such as cleaning sites as well as sanitation stations such as footbaths at a crossing or barrier.
- Hygiene: The maintenance of good hygiene goes hand in hand with proper disinfection at barrier crossings. The disinfectant must be a registered product used according to the instructions.
Knowledge of disease risks
Producers need to perform a risk assessment of diseases which will then become part of the farm’s biosecurity plan. “A prior analysis of diseases that could break out as well as knowledge of the possible impact such an outbreak might have on the farm feedlot, are invaluable.”
Producers, suggests Dr Hilton, must work alongside their veterinarian as the latter is trained in animal diseases and possesses the knowledge needed to identify, treat, and prevent them. “The veterinarian closest to you will know which disease risks are most prominent in that specific region,” she says.
Producers need to perform a risk assessment of diseases which will then become part of the farm’s biosecurity plan.
“At a dairy, for example, the focus is on diseases such as brucellosis and mastitis. It is important to understand how the identified diseases might endanger your farm, how they spread, and how to prevent them. The next step is the establishment of biosecurity control points that will prevent these specific diseases from contaminating your herds.”
Keep the gate closed
Very often auctions prove to be more dangerous with regard to the spread of diseases than direct sales from the farm. Animals have to be transported to an auction, which is stressful, and once there they are also exposed to a stressful environment. Sometimes it is a struggle to determine where the animals came from.
“That is why it is essential for a producer to quarantine new animals for 28 days as per the state’s prescribed measures. Only once the quarantine period has lapsed can these animals join the rest of the herd,” she concludes. – Carin Venter, Stockfarm
Key comments
FMD is regarded as one of the biggest biosecurity risks for any feedlot. It is a dreaded disease with far-reaching consequences for the country’s feedlots and red meat industry. Sound biosecurity measures at a feedlot are non-negotiable. According to the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act 35 of 1984), it is the responsibility of every producer or manager to take all the necessary steps to prevent an outbreak of disease and the spread thereof.
For more information, contact Dr Jade Hilton at Jade.Hilton@karanbeef.com.
