Animal Health Australia has released a new biosecurity manual designed to outline a range of simple, inexpensive and voluntary on-farm biosecurity steps livestock producers can take to protect animals from infectious diseases.

The National Farm Biosecurity Reference Manual for Grazing Livestock Production covers all grazing species such as cattle, sheep, alpaca and goats.

The AHA says the actions outlined in the manual have been developed through a science-based approach to reducing disease spread through identifying and managing the risks.

“People involved at all levels of grazing livestock production, including veterinarians who support owners, managers and handlers of livestock, can take practical and cost effective steps to help protect Australian livestock form the introduction and spread of infectious diseases,” said Duncan Rowland, Executive Manager of Biosecurity Services at AHA.

The manual is a reference document that has been designed for use by producers that manage multi-enterprise farms, therefore streamlining practices and making it easier for them to implement.

It provides detailed descriptions of recommended practices which can be adopted by producers that fall under seven key areas of biosecurity principles:

• Livestock: Manage the introduction and movement of animals in a way that minimises the risk of introducing or spreading infectious diseases; 

• People, equipment and vehicles: ensure these are controlled to minimise the potential for contamination of the property;

• Feed and water: ensuring the quality of stock feed and water is fit for purpose;

• Pests and weeds: Minimise the potential for wildlife and domestic or feral animals to introduce diseases to livestock;

• Animal health management: Prevent and control animal diseases on farm by regularly monitoring livestock health;

• Staff instruction: Implement agreed practices which all staff and contractors understand and are responsible for implementing;

• Carcase, effluent and waste management: Manage the disposal of dead animals and waste to minimise the spread of disease.

Copies of the manual can be downloaded from the national Farm Biosecurity website by clicking here