Biosecurity Overview

Biosecurity is a collection of management practices designed to minimize the risk of disease introduction and spread within a feedyard operation. Such practices may include, but are not limited to: new arrival management, wildlife and rodent control, equipment cleaning and disinfection, and minimizing visitor interaction with cattle. Because feedyards routinely obtain calves from more than one source, biosecurity practices are especially important for preventing the introduction and spread of diseases.

Responsibility for feedyard biosecurity rests with the feedyard owner and/or management team, through the implementation of measures designed to prevent introduction of any disease which is not already present on the yard as well as limiting the spread of existing diseases. Personnel working with livestock must take steps to ensure a reasonable level of biosecurity is practiced to protect themselves, other producers, and the livestock industry.

Goal of Biosecurity

The goal of biosecurity planning is to minimize the risk of a disease from being introduced and spread on a feedyard. Development of a biosecurity plan is voluntary. However, it demonstrates to customers, packers, consumers, and government regulators that cattle feeders are actively working to assure a safe beef supply. We encourage feedyard management to study this guide, to adapt its suggestions, and to employ the recommended practices.

Objectives of Biosecurity

1. Prevent the introduction of infectious disease agents to cattle
2. Prevent the spread of disease agents from affected areas to unaffected areas
3. Minimize the potential impact of disease on cattle productivity and business operations