Biosecurity for livestock

Overview

Biosecurity at the farm level can be defined as the management practices enabling producers to prevent the movement of disease-causing agents onto and off of agricultural operations.

Biosecurity has become a major concern to the agriculture industry as a result of foreign and emerging disease issues, the globalization of agriculture and increasing public concerns over food safety. Good biosecurity practices do not have to be confusing or expensive, but a small investment in time and money can yield big benefits for the farmer, the industry, and for the consumer through improved food quality and safety.

Learn more reducing biosecurity risks on your farm with proper management practices by reviewing Biosecurity fundamentals for visitors to livestock facilities.

Poultry

• Biosecurity recommendations for commercial poultry flocks in Ontario
• Prevent the spread of avian influenza with proper deadstock management
• Biosecurity for poultry shows
• CFO — Chicken Farmers of Ontario
• Poultry Industry Council

Pork

• Livestock biosecurity-infectious agents
• Ontario Pork

Cattle

• Biosecurity: health protection and sanitation strategies for cattle
• Dairy Farmers of Ontario
• Beef Farmers of Ontario

Sheep

• Biosecurity in the sheep flock
• Ontario Sheep Farmers

Horses

• Personal hygiene and disinfectants around horse barns
• Disease control at racetracks and horse events

Other resources

• Ohio State University Extension fact sheets
  • Biosecurity Fundamentals for Extension Personnel
  • Disinfection in On-Farm Biosecurity Procedures
  • On-Farm Biosecurity: Traffic Control and Sanitation
• Animal health — Canadian Food Inspection Agency