Biosecurity is defined as a set of management practices used to prevent, reduce or eliminate the introduction and spread of infectious diseases into, and within, beef cattle operations, including cow-calf, stocker-backgrounder and feedlot operations.
In many cases, beef producers are searching for a standard biosecurity plan for their operations. As is the case with most programs, there is no biosecurity silver bullet. Biosecurity plans must be designed and adapted to match the management protocols, production conditions and objectives of individual operations.
However, in general, biosecurity plans have three major components: isolation (quarantine), traffic control and sanitation. When implemented and managed effectively, these components can substantially minimize the risk of infectious diseases in beef cattle operations.
To gain some perspective on the level of implementation of biosecurity practices on beef operations, a biosecurity component was included in recent USDA National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) surveys.
In 2007, NAHMS initiated a study (NAHMS-Beef 2007-2008) to examine the cattle health and management practices on cow-calf operations in the U.S.
The study was conducted in the 24 states with the largest beef cow populations and represented approximately 88 percent of all U.S. beef cows and approximately 80 percent of all U.S. beef operations.
In 2011, a similar study (NAHMS-Feedlot 2011) was conducted on large beef feedlots (greater than 1,000-head capacity) in 12 states. These large feedlots accounted for approximately 82 percent of the Jan. 1, 2011 inventory in all U.S. feedlots. The 12 states participating in the study accounted for approximately 95 percent of the inventory in large feedlots.
Isolation
Isolation refers to the prevention of contact between animals within a specific environment. A critical step in disease control and prevention is to minimize the mixing and movement of cattle. Every beef cattle operation should have a quarantine area. Sick animals should be isolated and kept from coming in contact with healthy animals.
New herd additions (purchased replacements, homegrown replacements – from other ranches, facilities, etc. – stocker cattle, etc.) should be isolated and observed for a period of time (30 to 60 days) before they are incorporated into the main herd.
This allows for the detection of diseases that may have been developing in the animals prior to shipment. Since infectious diseases can be spread via a variety of vectors, quarantined animals should not share fence lines, feeders, water troughs, etc., with other animals.
Results from the NAHMS-Beef study showed that approximately 35 percent of the operations surveyed reported bringing new cattle onto the operation in the prior 12 months. Of the operations that brought new cattle onto the operation, only 33 percent provided some level of isolation for new animals.
To gauge the use of isolation in feedlot operations, the NAHMS-Feedlot study looked at the management of Mexican-origin cattle. Generally, there has been some concern that these cattle have a greater risk of being infected by various pathogens.
Overall, approximately 11 percent of feedlots fed some Mexican-origin cattle. Of the feedlots receiving and feeding Mexican-origin cattle along with native breeding and stocker cattle, approximately 36 percent kept the cattle segregated with no direct contact, and approximately 56 percent housed the cattle in separate, adjacent pens.
Traffic control
Traffic control refers to the traffic coming onto a beef cattle operation and the traffic patterns within an operation. Traffic includes vehicles (trucks, tractors, trailers, equipment, etc.), people (farm personnel, salesmen, veterinarians, visitors, etc.) and animals (cattle, pets, rodents, wildlife, etc.).
Infectious diseases can be carried by each of the aforementioned forms of traffic. Vehicles should be clean, and visitors should wear clean boots and clothing. Movement between the various areas of an operation should be limited.
It is difficult to control all traffic on beef cattle operations, but with close observation, producers can identify and scrutinize the traffic that represents the highest risk.
The NAHMS-Beef study provides a picture of the number of visits (veterinarians, employees, neighbors, truckers, etc.) to beef cattle operations in a normal month.
Approximately 82 percent of the operations responding reported at least one visit to the operation per month. Twenty-one percent of operations reported from three to five visits per month, and 29 percent reported more than 10 visits per month. Approximately 33 percent of the visits made to an operation within a month involved contact with animals.
With each visit representing a potential contamination opportunity, producers should consider limiting or controlling visits to their operations. Overall, in the NAHMS-Feedlot study, 25 percent of respondents indicated they had signage directing visitors to an office for check-in, while 60 percent of respondents from large feedlots (greater than 8,000-head capacity) displayed this type of signage for visitors.
Some of the biosecurity measures used by feedlots when dealing with visitors included limiting access of visitors to animals’ areas (approximately 65 percent), limiting vehicle access to animals’ areas (approximately 60 percent) and providing visitors with clean/disposable boots prior to entering an animal area (approximately 11 percent).
Sanitation
Sanitation refers to the cleanliness and disinfection of equipment, people and materials coming onto a beef cattle operation and the cleanliness and disinfection of equipment, people and materials within an operation.
Producers should use sterile techniques when performing routine management practices. Infectious diseases can be spread from one animal to another during vaccination, castration and dehorning via needles, scalpels, dehorners, etc.
Calving pens and obstetrical equipment should be cleaned and disinfected between uses. Additionally, vehicles and equipment that have come in contact with animals on one operation should be disinfected before being allowed on another operation, and feed wagons that have been used in pens, paddocks or pastures containing sick cattle should be disinfected before being used to feed healthy cattle.
In the survey of feedlot operations, it was noted that approximately 23 percent routinely used equipment for multiple tasks, and approximately 32 percent rarely used equipment for multiple tasks. Forty-five percent of feedlots had dedicated equipment for each task and never shared the equipment between tasks.
Of the feedlots that either routinely or rarely shared equipment, 81 percent washed the equipment with steam or water, and approximately 6 percent washed the equipment and used a chemical disinfectant.
Many cattle producers view biosecurity as a measure to be implemented by veterinarians or various government agencies. However, the responsibility for beef cattle biosecurity does not rest solely on these entities.
Each segment of the beef industry (producers, veterinarians, feeders, packers, etc.), shares in the responsibility of developing biosecurity plans.
The NAHMS studies show that beef producers in various segments of the industry have implemented biosecurity practices. However, there seems to be some room for additional biosecurity plans and practices to be put in place. Beef producers should work to identify potential risks to their operations and develop biosecurity plans accordingly. 
- J. Benton Glaze Jr.
- Animal and Veterinary Science Department
- University of Idaho
