The COVID-19 pandemic brought the idea of biosecurity to the forefront of everyone's minds, at least when considering human disease. As we learn more about Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and its spread to domesticated mammals (dairy cows and goats have been confirmed so far), it becomes more apparent that biosecurity should be high on the list of priorities for farmers outside of poultry and pigs.

Simply defined, biosecurity is the prevention of diseases from entering OR leaving a premises. A variety of diseases impacting animals are zoonotic, meaning they can also infect humans. Preventing disease matters to farm profitability (sick animals won't grow as well as healthy ones, and may never recover to the level they were when healthy), but it also matters to you and your family. You may be picturing hazmat suits and quarantine rooms that seem so popular on T.V. medical dramas, but fortunately, biosecurity in animal agriculture isn't quite so complicated. Here are 5 easy tips and tools for keeping your herd or flock (and yourself!) healthy:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water before AND after handling or caring for animals. The CDC currently recommends washing hands for 20 seconds.
2. Designate a pair or two of shoes to be worn only on your farm or around the animals. Our shoes cover a lot of ground during the day, and having a pair designated only for farm use and not be worn in public will prevent bringing disease in on them or taking disease to someone else's animals.
3. Quarantine new animals, or animals returning from fairs, livestock shows, or off-site breeding, when they arrive on your property. The general recommendation is for 21-30 days, but the exact length of time can vary based on diseases of concern, so work with your veterinarian on a plan that best suits your operation. Iowa State University has a helpful publication about quarantining animals. 
4. Make an inexpensive footbath using diluted chlorine bleach for visitors on your farm to step in as they enter and exit. This will prevent disease from entering or exiting your farm on their shoes.
5. Have a pest and wildlife control plan. Pests and wildlife can introduce disease to your herd or flock. Migratory birds, such as Canadian Geese, have been traced as the source of many HPAI outbreaks across the country. This publication from Michigan State University further explains the importance of pest and wildlife management on small farms. 

The National Beef Quality Assurance Program recently created biosecurity resources specific to cattle farms, including a template for a daily biosecurity plan and Enhanced Biosecurity Supply List. For more cattle specific biosecurity information, visit securebeef.org