Select Sires

SELECTIONS - Spring/Summer 2001
Biosecurity,
Don't Take It For Granted!

By David Thorbahn, general manager and executive vice president

It has been hard to miss the recent widespread coverage of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in western Europe. The effect of this outbreak, which came on the heels of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), has been devastating for farmers, consumers, agriculture and the overall economy of that area.

Situations like this remind us of our responsibility to:

Do everything possible and practical to stop the spread of animal disease, whether or not it is zoonotic (transmissible to humans).
Learn more about the best ways to create biosecure environments in our livestock operations.
Reinforce consumer confidence in the safety and quality of beef and dairy products produced in the United States.

While FMD has created recent headlines and been the catalyst for renewed focus on biosecurity, herds that adopt practical biosecurity programs also should benefit from reduced incidence of more common diseases like mastitis and Johne’s.

That’s why Select Sires has stepped up biosecurity measures at our production centers. We have eliminated all direct access to bulls and production areas of our plants by anyone other than authorized personnel. If scheduled in advance, people can visit the office facilities and see bulls through a glass, viewing wall. This will protect the biosecurity of our bull population while continuing to promote the A.I. and dairy industries.

We also have discontinued tours of customers’ farms by international guests. In addition, all Select Sires member cooperatives have adopted specific on-farm biosecurity protocols for employees. Under the guidance of Dr. Don Monke, Select has developed guidelines for employees who travel internationally that can be a handy reference for producers, as well.

The bottom line is that we must not panic, but we must be diligent to reduce disease transmission. You can stand assured that Select Sires will.

Biosecurity Guidelines For International Travel

Whenever possible, reduce contact with animals.
Wear protective outer clothing (coveralls and boots) that is disposable or that remains on the farm visited.

Upon returning to the United States…

At the U.S. point of entry, provide all footwear worn on farms for disinfection by Customs officials. All dirt and organic material should be removed before the disinfection process.
Shower, shampoo hair and change into clean clothing.
Wash all clothes taken on international travel. If clothing cannot be washed, it should be dry-cleaned.
If luggage was soiled, it, too, should be cleaned and disinfected. (NOTE: A 50 percent solution of vinegar in water is an appropriate homemade disinfectant suitable for FMDV.)
Do not enter any barn for at least five days (120 hours) after last contact on a foreign farm. Time spent on return travel is part of this time interval.
Do not have contact with susceptible farm livestock (e.g., cattle, hogs, sheep) for at least five days after returning from a country with FMD.

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Select Sires Inc., 11740 U.S. 42 North, Plain City, Ohio 43064 / Phone: (614) 873-4683 Fax: (614) 873-5751