Biosecurity Should Be Priority For Show Animals

By Sarah Watson, Livestock Editor
Thursday, June 7, 2007 11:03 AM CDT

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As youth livestock exhibitors plunge deeper into show season, biosecurity should be a priority for everyone. Disease threatens at every show, and is becoming a larger issue for all livestock producers.

In light of the pseudorabies outbreak this spring, the WPA has instated biosecurity considerations for all attending and hosting any WPA Junior Swine Circuit Shows. Show lamb fungus continues its infectious nature getting a hold of many show lambs sometime during the show season, and ringworm creeps up on cattle every year.

Following biosecurity guidelines will reduce the chance of livestock being sidelined by a preventable disease or illness.

These diseases can be spread from animal to animal and some can be spread from animals to humans.

A disease outbreak can be economically devastating, and compared to the majority of livestock producers, most youth exhibitors are not as dependent on their animals for income, but some exhibitors may have herds of animals besides their show animals. Their family may depend on income from livestock, or they may live near farms with livestock.

The most common way that new diseases will be introduced into a herd is from direct contact with other animals. The animals that a youth exhibitor takes to a show and then takes home again are potential sources of disease for their own, their family's or neighboring families' livestock herds.

On Farm deFense, OFF fact sheet published by UW-Extension offers five steps to reduce the risk of diseases entering a farm.

The first step begins with selecting healthy animals for the project. Observing the animal's appearance, appetite and movement will aid in discovering symptoms earlier. Youth should examine discharges and mucous membranes, and exclude those animals with abnormal discharges.

The second step is to buy animals from a known source with an effective preventive medicine program, including appropriate vaccines and a specific program to prevent the introduction of new diseases to the herd. This would include at a minimum isolation and observation of any animal arriving on the farm. Veterinary advice is strongly recommended, since effective programs will vary depending on the specific risk for each herd.

The third step is to develop your own herd health plan with your county agent, or veterinarian to meet your needs. The plan can be very simple and may only involve vaccinations, deworming and a good feeding and husbandry program.

The fourth step in the OFF suggestions to protect livestock is to keep accurate records of who visited your farm and which animals were introduced. Ask if they have visited a farm that currently has sick animals. If they have, do not allow them to visit your animals.

The last step to dramatically reduce the risk of disease transmission is to exhibit animals at only one terminal show. Terminal shows are events at which animals are sold for harvest and don't return to the farm.

If the exhibited animal is not going to a terminal show, then it is important to develop biosecurity protocols both at the show and once the animal has returned home.

Movement records should be kept for all animals. Vehicles used to transport your animals should be disinfected and allowed to dry before hauling other animals.

Don't exhibit animals that show signs of any contagious disease. Exhibitors should obtain a health certificate from their veterinarian 30 days or less before the show.

All animals returning from the show should be isolated for 30 days. If the returning animal is incubating a disease, it may be possible to detect it before other animals are exposed. The isolated animals should be held in a separate barn away from other livestock if possible. If another barn is not accessible the animals should be held in a separate corner of the barn or facility.

Chores should be completed for the un-isolated animals first, followed by the isolated animals. Make sure to wash hands before and after contact with the isolated animals.

At the show do not share show equipment with other exhibitors. Contaminated clippers can harbor ringworm and club lamb fungus, and is easily spread through sharing clippers. Diseases can also be spread through feeders and waterers. Disinfecting show equipment before using for on-farm animals and between shows will curtail disease spread.

Minimize nose-to-nose animal contact by leaving empty pens between livestock whenever possible.

Once home, exhibitors should wash hands and change clothes before completing chores, and make sure visitors check-in at the house before entering barns. Providing visitors with disposable boots will reduce the risk of spreading disease from one farm to another. Transportation vehicles should be cleaned and disinfected after use.

Following these guidelines will help everyone have a successful disease-free show season. For more information on OFF visit UW-Extension youth livestock website at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/animalscience/youthlivestock/index.cfm.

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