Dairy Farm Biosecurity Services

Using vaccines to prevent disease is the most easily recognisable example of the old adage “prevention is better than cure”. Outbreaks of disease are not only time consuming and costly but they can be very distressing for both farmers and their animals. Luckily, there are many vaccinations available for dairy cattle to prevent a range of different diseases. For an individualised plan for your farm, contact your Anexa vet today.

The key to effective disease prevention and treatment is knowing what we are dealing with. Taking the correct samples (blood, milk, swabs etc.) is the first step. Samples can be either tested at our own Anexa lab (in our Morrinsville clinic) or sent to an external lab depending on what testing is appropriate. Lab results give you the confidence to know you are on the right track to tackle whatever issues you may be facing on you farm.

As the world becomes more curious about where their food comes from, the need for a paper trail grows. Anexa Vets can help you meet your compliance requirements and work with you to overcome any shortfalls. 

Whenever new animals are brought onto your property you should have a plan in place for being able to quarantine for a sufficient period to reduce the risk of introducing new disease to your farm.

 Vaccinations – Controlling leptospirosis by vaccination has historically been the primary way of preventing lepto in humans.

However vaccination only minimises the risk and there are other things which increase the risk of you contracting human lepto that we need to be sure you are aware of. Rising rates of human infection have made it clear that further steps are needed to reduce the risk of people becoming infected. Basic hygiene and care when handling animals are essential, and reducing cattle contact with potential sources of infection is also helpful. Most importantly, every person on-farm needs to be regularly educated about the severity of leptospirosis, and how to reduce their own risk of infection

Other risk factors – Pigs and rodents can be a source of infection for both cattle and humans. Ideally, pigs should not be on dairy farms. If pigs are kept they should be vaccinated (at 6 monthly intervals) and should come from leptospirosis free piggeries, or be treated with antibiotics on arrival. Rodent control, especially around feed, will reduce risk. Effluent and waterways are also risks. Contact with these should be reduced by effective fencing.

To ensure you and your staff’s risk of contracting Lepto is minimal we recommend completing a Leptospirosis Risk Management Appraisal with your Anexa vet.

Mycoplasma bovis is a bacterial disease that typically affects both adult dairy cattle and calves. It does not infect humans and poses no risk to food safety. Mycoplasma was first detected in a small number of New Zealand herds on the South Island in July 2017. It is important that you are aware of the biosecurity risks to minimise the chances of your herd contracting the disease – contact your vet for further information.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious and infectious viral disease that affects cloven-hooved (two-toed) animals such as cows, sheep, goats and pigs. It is an animal health disease with no significant health impact on humans. There have been no cases in New Zealand yet, but FMD is the largest biosecurity threat for New Zealand. An outbreak would have a significant impact on animals, farmers, primary industries, and the New Zealand economy.

Signs to look out for in stock: FMD can spread quickly, even before infected animals show any symptoms of the disease. FMD typically starts as a fever, followed by the appearance of blisters, mainly in the mouth and on the feet. It rarely kills adult animals, but as recovery is often slow and infected animals spread the disease rapidly, quarantine (isolating animals away from others) combined with the slaughter of affected stock is often the only realistic means of control.

Report suspected FMD symptoms immediately to your vet or the MPI pest and disease hotline: 0800 80 99 66
(Tip: Save this number in your phone now in case of an outbreak.)

For further information about FMD or for biosecurity planning advice please talk with your vet or visit the MPI here