Producers warned on need for biosecurity measures

US - Proper management is the key to good cattle biosecurity measures, according to Dr. Jason Banta, professor and Extension beef cattle specialist.
calendar icon 22 February 2007
clock icon 1 minute read
“Biosecurity is just a set of best management practices that prevent infectious diseases from coming into a herd,” Banta explained to attendees at the recent Northeast Texas Cow-Calf Clinic in Wood County.

Banta listed several foreign diseases livestock owners should be aware of: bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), foot-and-mouth disease, rift valley fever, exotic newcastle and rabbit hemorrhagic disease. Other emerging or endemic diseases include bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, bovine paratuberculosis, anthrax, rabies, and trichomoniasis.

Management practices can decrease the risk of these diseases, in most cases, according to Banta. He noted factors of several diseases that should be taken into consideration when making decisions.

In recent years foot-and-mouth disease has been a global concern. Banta noted the federal government has taken several steps, including issuing an import ban on live animals from foot-and-mouth host countries, in order to lower the risk of a disease outbreak in the United States.

Source: Country World News
© 2000 - 2024 - Global Ag Media. All Rights Reserved | No part of this site may be reproduced without permission.