It Starts With a Plan

Recent livestock disease outbreaks spotlight biosecurity measures.

- By Mark Moore

Outbreaks of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in dairy herds have brought revelations that livestock producers may have holes in their biosecurity measures.

Fortunately, over the past decade or so, widespread disease outbreaks in livestock have been rare. Hot-spot outbreaks, such as Johne's disease or tuberculosis, in individual dairy herds, have occurred and have been quickly identified and controlled. That's a good sign for the industry, although individual producers and herds are significantly impacted.

“For the most part, a widespread disease outbreak has not been at the top of mind for producers because it hasn’t occurred,” said Linda Tikofsky, senior associate director of cattle professional services at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. “But now, with the presence of avian influenza, it’s making all livestock producers consider the risks that exist for their operations.”

It Starts With a Plan