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Biosecurity for Small Ruminants
Sara BhaduriHauck, University of Maryland Extension – Harford County
What is Biosecurity?• “Security” – the state of
being protected from harm, things done to make people or places safe
• “Bio-” – indicating or involving life or living organisms
Why should you care?• Good biosecurity practices
reduce the risk of disease in your herd– Healthier animals– Better production/yield– Higher profit
• …and reduce the risk of disease to you (zoonoses)
What’s the biggest risk?
NEW ANIMALS are the biggest threat to
biosecurity!
BIOSECURITY PRACTICE 1:
Control Vectors and Fomites• Clean and disinfect items returning from
shows, other farms, etc.• Clean and disinfect trailers and tires • Have designated boots for off-farm use, wash
clothing• Control insect populations
BIOSECURITY PRACTICE 1:
Control Vectors and Fomites• Limit visitors and vehicle
traffic– Provide visitors with boot
covers and coveralls– Keep trailers near farm
entrance or clean and disinfect
BIOSECURITY PRACTICE 2:
Bring In Healthy Animals• Buy from a reputable source– Buy from a closed flock if possible– Buy from flocks that are OPP-free, CAE-free, scrapie-free– Ask questions about management and disease
• Examine animals before purchase– Check for lameness, abscesses, soremouth, ringworm, and
other signs of disease– Check udders of ewes, testicles of rams
• Ask for health records and CVI (required if out of state)
BIOSECURITY PRACTICE 2:
Bring In Healthy Animals• Upon arrival at your farm:– Clip feet, use footbath of zinc sulfate– Perform worm control• Know deworming history of farm of origin• Conduct Famacha exam, deworm, run fecal
• Vaccinate to your herd’s protocol• Don’t bring in animals when your herd is most
susceptible (pregnancy, lambing and kidding)
BIOSECURITY PRACTICE 3:
Quarantine New Animals• Quarantine animals returning from shows• Keep new animals separated for 21-28 days– 100 feet recommended, 14 feet minimum– Use less-visited end of barn– Downwind and downslope– Not on pasture
BIOSECURITY PRACTICE 3:
Quarantine New Animals• Take care of healthy animals first• Monitor behavior, feed/water
intake, behavior, general health daily
• Have dedicated equipment • Wear dedicated shoes and coveralls• Wash hands
BIOSECURITY PRACTICE 4:Practice Preventative Management
• Keep a closed flock– Once established, keep replacement females and only buy males
• Vaccinate– Clostridium perfingins type C and D (overeating disease) and
tetanus– Other vaccines only if disease is already present on the farm
• Deworm – based on FAMACHA scores– Test fecals to determine which products work best on your farm
BIOSECURITY PRACTICE 4:Practice Preventative Management
• Clean and disinfect instruments between animals– Especially shearing equipment
• Properly dispose of carcasses and placentas• Manage farm dogs
– Don’t allow them to visit other farms• Keep feed clean
– Don’t feed on the ground– Don’t overgraze– Prevent cats from accessing stored feed
BIOSECURITY PRACTICE 4:Practice Preventative Management
• Examine animals regularly– Keep track of weight, abortions,
disease, etc.• Keep track of sick animals,
treatments, etc.• Know what’s normal so you
recognize problems early• Cull susceptible animals• Necropsy dead animals
BIOSECURITY PRACTICE 5:
Treat Smartly• Isolate sick animals• Treat in isolated, cleanable areas– Dispose of contaminated water
properly, too
Prevent Zoonoses• Wear gloves when handling sick,
dead, or birthing animals or vaccines
• Wash hands in warm, soapy water
• Have a current tetanus vaccine• Pregnant women should avoid
assisting with births and contacting placentas, newborns, or products of abortion
Biosecurity Faux-Pas• “Messy” quarantine
practices• Using a shared ram or
buck without quarantining
• Getting an animal right before you need it
Establish a Plan for Your Farm
• Brainstorm threats and decide how you will reduce each
• WRITE DOWN your plan and implement it
• Review and revise your plan periodically
ReferencesSchoenian, Susan and Jeff Semler. “Sheep and Goat Health, Part I: Biosecurity.” 2014 Winter Webinar Series, University of Maryland Extension. <www.slideshare.net/Schoenian/biosecurity-30672738>
Schoenian, Susan. “Biosecueity on sheep farms.” Sheep 201: A Beginner’s Guide to Raising Sheep. <www.sheep101.info/201/biosecurity.html>
Van Rooyen, J.A. “Biosecurity for Small Ruminant Flocks.” Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute, Republic of South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. <gadi.agric.za/Agric/Vol11No1_2011/biosecurity.php>
Questions?
Sara BhaduriHauckUniversity of Maryland Extension – Harford County
PO Box 663, 2335 Rock Spring RoadForest Hill, MD 21050
