BEEF CATTLE BIOSECURITY PLAN 2015

Agricultural High School

Authors: Farrer Memorial

1. Overall property Summary: Farrer consists of two farm sites. One located at 585 Calala Lane Tamworth, 189 Ha; the
other property Brewongle located at Monteray Rd Loomberah, 350Ha. Farrer runs approximately 120 Angus breeding
cows in a self replacing herd .

2. Perform a risk assessment

a. Identify the hazard (pathogen) and the likelihood of occurrence
b. Identify the consequences
c. Assess the risk likelihood and consequence. Is it worth controlling?
Risk Matrix:
Likelihood
Almost
certain
Likely
Possible
Unlikely
Rare

Consequences*
Moderate
Major

Insignifican
t
Medium

Minor

Severe

High

High

Extreme

Extreme

Medium
Low
Low
Low

Medium
Medium
Medium
Low

High
Medium
Medium
Medium

High
High
Medium
Medium

Extreme
Extreme
High
High

*50% = Growth, Reproduction and Mortality; 50% Market Access

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1

OH
S
Pathogen

Consequences

Likelihood

Risk

Growth

Reproductio
n

Mortality

Market
Access

Total*
(weighted)

Ins
Ins

Ins
Ins

Minor
Minor

Severe
Severe

Mod
Mod

Rare
Rare

Medium
Medium

Minor
Minor
Minor

Mod
Mod
Minor

Minor
Minor
Minor

Minor
Minor
Minor

Minor
Minor
Minor

Likely
Likely
Likely

Medium
Medium
Medium

Insig
Insig

Insig
Insig

Insig
Minor

Minor
Minor

Insig
Minor

Possible
Unlikely

Low
Medium

Mod
Mod
Insig

Insig
Insig
Mod

Mod
Mod
Mod

Minor
Minor
Minor

Minor
Minor
Minor

Likely
Likely
Likely

Medium
Medium
Medium

Insig
Minor
Insig
Mod

Insig
Minor
Insig
Insig

Insig
Mod
Major
Insig

Severe
Minor
Severe
Minor

Mod
Minor
Major
Minor

Medium
Medium
High
High

Insig
Insig

Major
Major

Mod
Insig

Minor
Minor

Major
Mod

Unlikely
Unlikely
Possible
Almost
Certain
Likely
Likely

Exotic Disease
foot and mouth disease
bovine spongiform
encephalopathy
Viruses
Akabane
pestivirus
infectious bovine
rhinotracheitis (IBR)
warts
malignant cattarhal
fever
rotavirus
coronavirus

Y
Y

Bovine Ephemeral
Fever
Bacteria
Johnes disease
salmonella
anthrax

Y
Y

Moraxella bovis
(pinkeye)
Leptospirosis
campylobacterios
(vibriosis)

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1

High
High

pasteurellosis
sporadic bovine
encephalitis
Clostridial family
Botulism
Theileriosis
Cattle tick fever

Mod
Mod

Insig
Insig

Mod
Mod

Minor
Minor

Minor
Minor

Likely
Likely

Medium
Medium

Insig
Insig
Insig
Insig

Insig
Insig
Insig
Insig

Major
Major
Major
Major

Minor
Minor
Minor
Severe

Minor
Minor
Minor
Major

Likely
Unlikely
Likely
Unlikely

Medium
Medium
Medium
Medium

Likelihood

Risk

Low
High

OH
S

Consequences

Parasites
lice
roundworms
Liver fluke

Minor
Major

Insig
Insig

Insig
Minor

Minor
Minor

Insig
Minor

Major

Insig

Minor

Minor

Minor

Possible
Almost
Certain
Likely

Insig
Mod
Mod
Insig

Major
Insig
Insig
Major

Insig
Minor
Major
Insig

Insig
Minor
Minor
Severe

Mod
Minor
Mod
Major

Likely
Unlikely
Possible
Possible

High
Medium
Medium
High

Minor
Insig
Mod
Mod
Mod

Minor
Insig
Insig
Mod
Insig

Mod
Insig
Mod
Insig
Mod

Severe
Severe
Insig
Insig
Insig

Mod
Mod
Minor
Mod
Mod

Possible
Possible
Likely
Possible
Possible

Medium
Medium
Medium
Medium
Medium

Medium

Protozoa
neospora
coccidiosis
cryptosporidiosis
trichomoniasis

Y
Y

Other
cancer eye
chemical residues
anthelmintic resistance
Mineral deficiencies
toxicities

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1

3. Treatments/controls for each pathogen vary for each enterprise:

PATHOGEN
Anthrax

RISK
High

Vibriosis

High

Leptospirosis
Pinkeye

High
High

Roundworms

High

Neospora

High

Trichomoniasis

High

FMD

Mediu
m
Mediu
m
Mediu
m
Mediu
m

BSE
Akabane
Pestivirus

i.
ii.
iii.
i.
ii.
i.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
i.
ii.
iii.
i.
ii.
iii.
i.
ii.
iii.
i.

BREEDING ENTERPRISE
CONTROL
Determine anthrax history of property
Ensure good ground cover to minimise ingestion of soil by stock and minimise erosion of
soil
Investigate deaths of stock by a veterinarian
Vaccinate all Bulls annually
Purchase test negative bulls only
Vaccinate cows and heifers annually with 7 in 1
Consider vaccinating weaners with Piliguard at the start of the challenge period
Adult cows/bulls should have some level of immunity however vaccination should be
considered in high challenge locations
Dampen yards before yarding
Identify and treat individual animals as soon as practical with an effective antibiotic
Avoid mass musterings
Calve on clean paddocks
Perform faecal egg counts on cattle under 12 months of age every 2-3 months
Use an effective drench
Avoid dogs defecating in cow paddocks
Undertake fox control programs
Investigate abortion/stillbirth episodes
Only purchase bulls which have tested negative for trichomoniasis
Purchase bulls from low risk locations (eg within NSW)
Ensure 60 days sexual rest for introduced cows
Avoid overseas visitors having contact with stock

i.

Ensure stock are not fed restricted animal material

i.

Consider vaccinating with akabane vaccine (when it becomes available)

ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

Vaccinate all cows and heifers annually

Identify persistently infected calves and cull.
Only purchase bulls which are pestivirus antigen negative
Test heifers, first calf and cows (10 of each) to get a herd profile

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1

PATHOGEN
IBR

RISK
Mediu
m

Pasteurellosis

Mediu
m

Bovine ephemeral
fever
Johnes

Mediu
m
Mediu
m
Mediu
m

Salmonella

Clostridials
Theileriosis

Cattle tick fever

Liver fluke
Coccidiosis
Rotavirus
Coronavirus
Cryptosporidiosis
Cancer eye

Mediu
m
Mediu
m
Mediu
m
Mediu
m
Mediu
m
Mediu
m
Mediu

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
i.

BREEDING ENTERPRISE
CONTROL
Minimise stress at time of weaning
Provide good nutrition for weaners
Avoid exposing weaners to dry, dusty conditions
Provide sheltered conditions for calves in winter
Minimise stress at time of weaning
Provide good nutrition for weaners
Avoid exposing weaners to dry, dusty conditions
Provide sheltered conditions for calves in winter
Consider vaccinating weaners with Bovilis MH
Consider vaccinating stud stock

ii.
iii.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
i.

Only introduce cattle of similar or higher BJD status

Do not purchase dairy or dairy cross cattle
Minimise stress to weaners
Investigate all cases of scouring cattle involving death
Isolate scouring stock
In drought times check the quality of dams water supply
Vaccinate all stock with 5 in 1 (or 7 in 1 see Leptospirosis)

i.
ii.
iii.
i.
ii.
i.

Avoid introducing stock from known theileria endemic areas (coastal)

Provide a quarantined paddock for introduced cattle and keep separate from main mob for
as long as practical
Treat introduced cattle with an effective external parasiticide
Introduce stock from low risk areas
If purchasing cattle from Queensland, place in quarantine paddock for 4 weeks
Determine if you are in fluke area and drench accordingly. Seek advice.

i.
ii.
iii.
i.
ii.
i.

Minimise stress to weaners

Avoid overcrowding
Provide good nutrition
Avoid calving at times which coincide with large black fly populations
Isolate scouring calves with cows from others in mob
Inspect and cull affected stock regularly

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1

PATHOGEN
Chemical residues

RISK
Mediu
m

Botulism

Mediu
m

Anthemintic
resistance
Warts
Lice

Mediu
m
Low
Low

Mineral deficiencies
toxicities

ii.

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
i.
ii.
iii.
i.
i.
ii.
iii.
i.
i.
ii.

Avoid breeding from affected cows

BREEDING ENTERPRISE
CONTROL
Observe antibiotic withholding periods
Observe chemical withholding periods for crops
Insist on a commodity vendor declaration (CVD) when purchasing stockfeed
Avoid grazing stock around high risk areas e.g. rubbish dumps, old dip sites, old
sheds, old races.
Fence off high risk areas
Remove and dispose of old car batteries
Dispose of dead stock
If using poultry litter fertiliser ensure good quality with no bird carcasses and the
prophylactic use of botulism vaccine
Perform a FEC 10 days after the use of a drench to monitor the drench efficacy
Minimise stress
Minimise stress
Treat in autumn
Test very lousy animals for pestivirus
Obtain a profile of property and take corrective action
Understand toxic plants in your area and take action
Declarations of hay , feeding pad take action against strange weeds, beware of
nitrate poisoning

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1

PATHOGEN
Anthrax

RISK
High

i.
ii.

High
High

iii.
i.
i.
ii.

Roundworms

High

FMD

Mediu
m
Mediu
m
Mediu
m
Mediu
m

iii.
iv.
v.
i.
ii.
iii.
i.

Leptospirosis
Pinkeye

BSE
Pestivirus
IBR

Pastreurellosis

Mediu
m

Johnes

Mediu

BACKGROUNDING ENTERPRISE
CONTROL
Determine anthrax history of property
Ensure good ground cover to minimise ingestion of soil by stock and minimise
erosion of soil
Investigate deaths of stock by a veterinarian
Vaccinate cows and heifers annually
Consider vaccinating weaners with Piliguard at the start of the challenge period
Adult cows/bulls should have some level of immunity however vaccination should
be considered in high challenge locations
Dampen yards before yarding
Identify and treat individual animals as soon as practical with an effective antibiotic
Avoid mass musterings
Calve on clean paddocks
Perform faecal egg counts on cattle under 12 months of age every 2-3 months
Use an effective drench
Avoid overseas visitors having contact with stock

i.

Ensure stock are not fed restricted animal material

i.

Consider introducing vaccinated stock only

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
i.
ii.

Minimise stress at time of weaning

Provide good nutrition for weaners
Avoid exposing weaners to dry, dusty conditions
Provide sheltered conditions for calves in winter
Consider adopting Feederguard protocol
Minimise stress at time of weaning
Provide good nutrition for weaners
Avoid exposing weaners to dry, dusty conditions
Provide sheltered conditions for calves in winter
Consider vaccinating weaners with Bovilis MH
Consider adopting Feederguard protocol
Only introduce cattle of similar or higher BJD status

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1

m
Salmonella

Mediu
m

PATHOGEN
Clostridials

RISK
Mediu
m
Mediu
m
Mediu
m

Liver fluke
Theileriosis

Cattle tick fever

Coccidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis
Cancer eye
Chemical residues

Botulism
Anthelmintic resistance
Warts
Lice

Mediu
m
Mediu
m
Mediu
m
Mediu
m
Mediu
m

Mediu
m
Mediu
m
Low
Low

i.
ii.
iii.
i.

Minimise stress to weaners

Investigate all cases of scouring cattle involving death
Isolate scouring stock
BACKGROUNDING ENTERPRISE
CONTROL
Vaccinate steers with 5 in 1, every 3 months

i.

Ensure steers are treated for fluke prior to or on arrival

i.
ii.

Avoid introducing stock from known theileria endemic areas (coastal)

Provide a quarantined paddock for introduced cattle and keep separate from main mob for
as long as practical
Treat introduced cattle with an effective external parasiticide
Introduce stock from low risk areas
If purchasing cattle from Queensland, place in quarantine paddock for 4 weeks
Minimise stress to weaners
Avoid overcrowding
Provide good nutrition
Unlikely to occur in weaner cattle
Investigate all occurrences of scouring
Inspect and cull affected stock regularly
Avoid breeding from affected cows
Observe antibiotic withholding periods
Observe chemical withholding periods for crops
Insist on a commodity vendor declaration (CVD) when purchasing stockfeed
Avoid grazing stock around high risk areas e.g. rubbish dumps, old dip sites, old sheds, old
races.
Fence off high risk areas
Remove and dispose of old car batteries
Dispose of dead stock
If using poultry litter fertiliser ensure good quality with no bird carcasses
Perform a FEC 10 days after the use of a drench to monitor the drench efficacy

iii.
ii.
iii.
i.
ii.
iii.
i.
ii.
i.
ii.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
i.
ii.
i.
i.
i.

Minimise stress
Minimise stress

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1

1. List of records required to be kept.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Livestock management diary what, where, when

Purchasing documentation including NVDs, health statements, CVDs
Chemical use export grazing intervals, export feed intervals
Antibiotic use WHP - withholding periods, ESI - export slaughter intervals
Transport log (movement of trucks on/off property)
Visitor log (movement of people on/off property)

2. Actions required on detection of unusual signs or deaths

a. Contact livestock managers
b. Determine the need for veterinary investigation
c. Contact District vet or Private practitioner
d. If unable to contact the above and you suspect it is an exotic disease then phone the emergency Disease hotline
1800 675 888

3. Schedule for routine monitoring (ie sampling)

a. FEC every 2 months on stock under 12 months
b. Blood sample 6 weaners every 12 months to determine trace element status for selenium, copper and cobalt
c. Fat score

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1

APPENDIX: A
GENERAL BIOSECURITY GUIDELINES
PROPER PRE-ENTRY
TY

1. Make sure the boundary and internal fences are stock proof.
2. Restrict the use of yards and handling facilities to own stock.
3. Restrict farm access to high risk personnel.
4. Provide a vehicle/farm equipment wash down area and drainage away from
grazing areas
5. Ensure purchase agreement is in place & sight test results prior to cattle
being accepted.
6. Identify high risk neighbours and provide buffers to stock if necessary.

ARRIVAL

7. Quarantine all introduced stock to prevent the transfer of infectious disease.

POST
QUARANTINE

8. If herd contracts an infectious disease, take immediate action to prevent the

disease spreading.
9. Promptly remove and dispose of ay dead livestock
10.Monitor water quality

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1

APPENDIX: B
BREEDING HERD GUIDELINES
BULL

PRE-ENTRY

1. Complete vet check prior to entry to property.

2. View semen morphology results prior to purchase of bulls.
3. View test results for vibriosis, pestivirus (antigen negative, antibody positive)
& trichomoniasis

ARRIVAL

1. All bulls to be treated for internal & external parasites upon entry to property.
2. All bulls to be vaccinated for Vibriosis 10-12 weeks prior to use in paddock
with females.
3. Only introduce bulls of similar or higher status BJD status.

POST
QUARANTINE

1. Investigate poor reproductive performance

2. Vaccinate bulls annually for vibriosis

COWS

PRE-ENTRY

1. Complete vet check prior to entry to property.

2. View declaration of vaccination (lepto, pestivirus, lepto and from herd where
bulls receive vibrio vaccination)
3. Ideally source cattle from closed herd properties.

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1

ARRIVAL

4. Only introduce cows of similar or higher BJD status by either purchasing from
a. Low risk areas
b. cattleMAP herds
1. Do not introduce new cattle to a breeding herd in the early stages of
pregnancy.
2. Quarantine: if purchasing new cattle, keep in isolation, not in direct contact
with breeding cows if breeding cows are pregnant (especially before day 150180 gestation).
3. All cows are to be treated for internal & external parasites upon entry to
properties.
4. All cows are to be given 7 in 1 and pestivirus vaccinations
5. All cows are to be kept in isolation paddocks for 4 weeks for ease of booster
vaccination.

POST
QUARANTINE

1. All Pregnancy Tested In Calf (PTIC) cows to be kept in isolation until calved
out & calves marked.
2. Identify cows not calved and establish why
3. Identify and cull persistently infected pestivirus cattle.
4. All cows are to be given 7 in 1 and pestivirus vaccinations annually
5. Ensure 60 days sexual rest before joining

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1

APPENDIX: C
BACKGROUNDING HERD GUIDELINES
TRADE
STEERS

PRE-ENTRY

1. Attempt to source steers direct from known properties. Avoid buying steers
from saleyards.
2. Develop agreement with source properties so that steers are vaccinated at
source property at least a month before arrival

ARRIVAL

1. Ensure you attain an NVD for all stock received.

2. All trade cattle must be treated for internal & external parasites upon entry
to property
3. If cattle introduced from known liver fluke area then treat for liver fluke
4. Introduced cattle are to be given 5 in 1 vaccine
5. Determine need to fulfil protocol for feedlot market and include
pestivirus/bovine respiratory disease vaccines (e.g. Feederguard)

POST
QUARANTINE

1. Isolate any sick stock

2. Investigate any significant mortalities
3. Monitor stock daily for signs of illness

Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Biosecurity Plan 2015: Version 1