01/05/06
Many English beef producers could increase the profitability
of their suckler and finisher enterprises by at least 10% as
well as protecting their livelihoods against key disease threats
through better biosecurity, suggests the English Beef and Lamb
Executive (EBLEX) in its latest Beef Action for Profit Factsheet.
First class biosecurity should be an essential part of every
beef business health plan to reduce the risk of importing damaging
diseases onto the farm and restrict the ease with which they
can spread.
In addition to providing much-needed disease protection, good
biosecurity offers immediate financial benefits in reducing the
incidence of disease and its depressing effect on productivity.
Benefits which could easily add 10% or more to the annual profitability
of many beef enterprises.
Most biosecurity measures are fairly straightforward and self-explanatory.
The latest EBLEX Action for Profit Factsheet identifies 12 main
diseases for the focus of beef biosecurity efforts, with reminders
on specific action to prevent their spread in each case – these
include:
- Buying stock only from sources of known health status.
- Isolating new purchases, stock returning to the herd or sick
animals in separate housing.
- Avoiding nose-to-nose contact with neighbouring stock through
hedges or fences.
- Keeping feed dry, clean and free from contamination.
- Maintaining effective vermin control.
- Preventing pets – particularly dogs – accessing
feed.
- Ensuring feed and water troughs remain free from faecal contamination.
- Using mains water wherever possible.
- Identifying all animals correctly with the proper tags and
keeping their records up-to-date.
- Cleaning and disinfecting buildings, vehicles and equipment
regularly.
- Insisting contractors clean and disinfect their equipment
before and after use.
- Spreading manure and slurry on non-grazing land wherever
possible.
It recommends all new cattle should be isolated from the rest
of the herd and kept in quarantine for at least 4 weeks to allow
routine vaccinations and regular inspections for disease to be
undertaken with the right level of veterinary assistance.
Further information and the Beef Action for Profit resource on
biosecurity is available from the EBLEX website: www.eblex.org.uk
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