Several pig colored pigs feeding on grain in a barn.

Taking Biosecurity from Zero to 60 Overnight

Dr. Julie Smith Livestock diseases, Planning

(Feature image courtesy of the National Pork Board, Des Moines, Iowa.) In an April 2023 article published in Progressive Dairy a question was asked, “what do speed tests have to do with biosecurity?” Julie Smith, veterinarian and research associate professor at the University of Vermont, considers what it means for a farm to go from “zero to 60” quickly in …

A graphic showing two farmers feeding three pigs from a trough on a farm.

Use Biosecurity to Prepare and Prevent African Swine Fever in the U.S.

Dr. Julie Smith Animal Health, Livestock diseases

African swine fever (ASF) is an incurable viral disease of pigs but does not pose a threat to human health. There are many ways that ASF can spread from one part of the world to another, or from one premises to another. The following guidelines for keeping pigs healthy are especially important for reducing the chances of spreading ASF. Do …

Three turkeys in a flock.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Found in U.S. Turkeys

Joanna Cummings Animal Health, Livestock diseases

February, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory recently found highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in turkeys tested from a commercial farm in Indiana. As a result, the premises were quarantined and the flock depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed HPAI in wild birds …

Farm animals

Youth Biosecurity Education Conversations

Joanna Cummings General

During October 2020, a series of  Biosecurity Community Conversations were held to highlight the Healthy Farms Healthy Agriculture Biosecurity Learning Modules, and to explore online educational resources that help youth in agriculture discover farm animal biosecurity. The video recordings for the four conversations on youth biosecurity education are below. A fifth community conversation video recording is also posted on this …

Two beef cows in a field

Flies, Ticks and Anaplasmosis

Kortnie Wheaton Animal Health, Livestock diseases, Sanitation, Wildlife

Finding a dead cow on a farm is very alarming. A farmer needs to know why, because there are many causes that result in a cow dying. In this particular case, a call to the veterinarian and some diagnostic tests determined that the cow had anaplasmosis.  Anaplasmosis is a bacterial infection of concern to cattle producers because they might lose …

Students getting ready to work on a farm

Biosecurity Education Goes Virtual with Learning Series

Joanna Cummings Agriculture Education, Livestock diseases

We are witnessing in real time the spread of a virulent, infectious disease known as COVID-19 among the human population. Livestock and poultry are susceptible to infectious diseases as well, and the impacts can be devastating for anyone raising farm animals. The most effective strategy for protecting farm animal health is to prevent or reduce the chances of introducing a …

Sheep in a field with barns in the background

Rinderpest’s Reign of Terror

Katie Loberti Animal Health, Livestock diseases, Policy, Wildlife

A disease so fearsome it was given the name “cattle plague”, rinderpest left behind trails of devastation in the wake of outbreaks. The 1887-1892 Great Ethiopian Famine occurred when almost all of the cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and wildlife species died from this disease (Morens, D. M., et al., 2011). In the 19th century, rinderpest killed 20 percent of all …

Grey rabbit sitting

Leaping Across the U.S.: Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease

Katie Loberti Animal Health, Livestock diseases, Risk assessment Leave a Comment

Imagine walking into a rabbitry one day and noticing multiple rabbits dead with nothing other than a little bit of blood on their nose. A highly contagious foreign animal disease by the name of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is on the rise nationally, and is causing many rabbit farmers and owners to fear for their stock and pets. While it …

USDA beagle inspector dog

International Travel: A Disease Risk for Livestock

Samantha Shields Farm Visitors, Livestock diseases Leave a Comment

During October 2019, Australia’s agriculture minister cancelled a Vietnamese woman’s visa after authorities found 22 pounds of undeclared food products in her luggage. The luggage contained pork, quail, squid, pâté, fruit, eggs and garlic (Griffiths, 2019). International travel and trade increases the risks of introducing a foreign/exotic disease or pest into another country. Australia had to develop an extensive eradication …

Lamb in a field

Producers Benefit from Scrapie Program Cooperation

Samantha Shields Animal Health, Livestock diseases, Policy Leave a Comment

There are many reasons why people are reluctant to comply with government laws and regulations. However, a cooperative state-federal-industry program for eradicating scrapie in the United States has resulted in excellent progress towards eliminating this disease in sheep and goats. The number of animals testing positive for scrapie in the U.S. has decreased by 99 percent, since analysis of producer-submitted …

View of a farm and lake at sunset

Draw the Line on Livestock Diseases

Samantha Shields Animal Health, Livestock diseases, Sanitation, Traffic Control Leave a Comment

A line of separation is a biosecurity practice that involves setting up boundaries or zones on a livestock operation. The purpose of the line is to block the introduction, or limit the spread of disease-causing agents (NPPC, 2013). Compliance with procedures for crossing the line can become an issue with farm workers and visitors. The line is meant to separate …

Red maple leaves on branches

Don’t Let Your Horse Eat Red Maple Leaves

Samantha Shields Animal Health

The red maple (Acer rubrum) is one of the most common and widespread native deciduous trees of eastern and central North America. These fast growing trees are usually planted for their beautiful red leaf color in the fall season, and as a shade tree. However, the fallen leaves could be deadly for horses. Ingestion of wilted or dry leaves by …