The measures you take to protect the health of your animals and prevent the spread of pests, weeds and diseases. These measures can have a large impact on various aspects of your farm and herd.
Every farmer has opportunities to mitigate risk when it comes to pests and diseases.
The great news is you are already taking steps to manage biosecurity on your farm, whether by your own initiative, or as part of the things we do as a co-operative. Here is a list of things you may already be doing or could start with:
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) management is an excellent example of biosecurity measures that can establish practices and increase understanding of biosecurity. Investigating and implementing a plan for the management of this disease is a great starting point for a disease management plan.
New Zealand's relatively disease-free status helps with selling our products to the world.
The estimated cost of BVD in a negative herd is $22.22 x peak cow numbers/year – this is much higher in a positive herd.
Better milk production and lower treatment time and inputs.
Reduction or elimination of illness such as gastro worms or BVD can reduce methane emissions across your herd.
Fewer sick animals is more cost effective, and helps protect human health.
Biosecurity can reduce treatment inputs and maximised genetic investment.
There are lots of articles and websites about Biosecurity in New Zealand. Here are a few to start:
Have a look over some of the next steps you could take to increase biosecurity on your farm:
Start having conversations – with your vet, your friends and your Fonterra Representative.