In past year’s biosecurity has become a phrase that has been tossed around. But what does it mean for your ranch? Many producers liken biosecurity to the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) crisis of 2001 in Great Britain or the Mad Cow Disease (BSE) cases of the last few years. While this is true, how can we help in the control of disease transfer? Producers are the first defense in controlling disease transfer.

What diseases are you most concerned about?  FMD? BSE? How about scours, pneumonia or BVD. While FMD and BSE pose a great risk to the livestock industry, we have many other risks that need to be looked at. 

Infectious disease can be spread to your operation through:

• vehicles, equipment, clothing and shoes of visitors or employees who move between herds
• restrict vehicles from entering feeding areas
• carcasses of dead cattle that have not been disposed of properly
• feedstuffs, especially high risk feedstuff which could be contaminated with feces
• impure water (surface drainage water, etc.)
• manure handling and aerosolized manure and dust
• nonlivestock (horses, dogs, cats, wildlife, rodents, birds and insects).

• limit vehicle usage in calving pens. Using the vehicle you had at the neighbors branding increases the possibility of transfer
• clean branding chute after each group, and disinfect when going to other ranches with it

Producers can make simple steps in controlling the transfer of disease to their operation. In some cases we cannot control every aspect in our operation, but we can reduce our risk. For a more detailed and specific list about applying biosecurity principles to your ranch, contact your local extension office, veterinarian or log onto www.richland.org/extension   

Biosecurity Refrences

MSU Extension
MT Department of Livestock
Biosecurity Checklist