The last two years have provided us with several examples of why it is important for livestock producers of all sizes to implement basic biosecurity practices into their management programs.
We started 2024 with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in poultry, and then in March of the same year the virus was found in dairy cattle. In November of 2025, there was an outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus within the professional barrel racing circuit, and this year there was the reappearance of Pseudorabies in mid-West swine herds.
Each of these cases has a common factor. The illness originated in a single location and was spread to different regions of the US by transporting infected animals. Now, we have a new concern with the inevitable US infestation of New World Screwworm in Texas.
More: Find the 'why' in farming
Biosecurity is defined as the measures that are taken to limit the spread of harmful organisms to humans, animals and plants. It is easy to think that biosecurity practices are only important to large-scale animal agriculture, but producers of all sizes are members of the larger livestock industry and should take steps to ensure the health and welfare of their animals and protect the larger industry they serve.
I would agree that larger producers should commit to biosecurity with formal written plans, but small-scale producers should be evaluating their management practices to implement some basic strategies to avoid introducing an unwanted pest or pathogen.
All biosecurity measures start with healthy livestock. This means providing all your animals with diets, mineral supplementation, and clean water that meet their needs depending on their stage of production. We can include providing the proper size and type of shelter and even include the incorporation of social enrichment devices. The second component is having a valid Veterinarian-Client-Patient-Relationship (VCPR). You should have a relationship with a local veterinarian that knows your farm goals and production practices so that they can help design an animal health program specific to your operation. The more they know about what you do, the better they can help protect your animals from health risks.
General farm sanitation helps reduce the risk of disease introduction from wildlife and insect pests. Everything we do to provide the best environment for our livestock also makes them attractive to wildlife and insects. Producers should:
Control vegetation around farm boundaries and buildings. These are areas where pests like to hide and by mowing tall weeds and controlling brush help to reduce their habitat.
You should maintain a five-foot, non-vegetative, buffer around each of your farm buildings. This helps limit rodent entry into your barns.
Clean up any spilt feed and keep your livestock feed in containers that limit access by rodent and avian pest.
Manage your manure. Most fly species reproduce in animal manure. Properly stockpiling and spreading manure will limit their populations.
Properly manage any animal mortality. The death of an animal is a part of animal agriculture. It is important to properly dispose of those mortalities. The Ohio Revised Code stipulates that mortalities should be buried not less than four feet below the soil surface (Ohio Revised Code, Section 941.14). It also allows for mortalities to be composted if you have been certified by Ohio State University Extension (Ohio Revised Code, Section 939.04). Mortalities can be an attractant for insect and wildlife pests
The final, and most important step you can take is the quarantine of new arrivals. Any new animal that is brought onto your property should be considered as a source of a new pathogen or pest. It doesn't matter where the animal came from either. A group of chicks from your neighbor has the same level of risk as a lamb from the stockyards.
All new animals should be housed in a location that prevents nose-to-nose contact with your resident livestock for a minimum of 30 days. During this time, you will have the opportunity to observe if it is becoming sick, as well as introduce it to your feed, water, and health program. This should be the last animal you work with every day. Any animal husbandry supplies used to care for those in quarantine should be cleaned and disinfected before using with other animals.
There are several regional programs happening soon. An 'Auditing Your Feed and Forage' program workshop will be held in Salem on Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. You can register or find more information by calling the OSU Extension office in Columbiana County at 330-967-7249.
The OSU Wooster Campus will be hosting "Decades of No-Till History and the Future of Soil Health" on Aug. 18. The event will be in the Shisler Conference Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features a variety of topics. Registration information can be found on the Ohio No-Till Council website at ohionotillcouncil.com/events.
As always, if you have any questions or would like more information on our programs you can contact me at the OSU Extension Office in Wayne County at 330-264-8722.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Livestock biosecurity basics for small farms