We have talked many times about the ongoing importance of biosecurity measures on farms, especially with the continuation of high pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks across the country and with cases in North Carolina.
But biosecurity is also important to our swine producers and other animal ag operators because we know animal diseases can accidentally be spread if a virus is picked up on shoes, clothing or equipment.
Porcine epidemic diarrhea is an example of a swine virus that is highly transmissible, but others include porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, and swine influenza. We recently uploaded some biosecurity recommendations on the department’s website for utility and service providers who may need to go on a farm with animal agriculture operations.
I would encourage poultry and swine operators to share this information with their utility and service providers to increase their awareness of special on-farm considerations to assist with the health of their livestock.
Recommendations for the utilities include:
- Contacting the farm or company ahead of time to verify the current status of a farm. If a farm is under quarantine, a utility visit may need to be postponed if possible.
- Follow the company or farm’s biosecurity plan. Each animal production company will typically have a plan for anyone going on and off the farm.
- Limit the servicing of infected or high-risk farms if possible. This could include estimated billing procedures that do not require an on-farm visit.
- Use disposable shoe covers while on commercial animal farms when possible.
- Wash your vehicle between farms.
These measures can help prevent the spread of animal diseases.
Animal agriculture accounts for about 74% of our state’s farm cash receipts, so the health of these industries is important to our ag economy and our state’s economy, too.
This information can be found on our NCDA&CS Veterinary Division website at ncagr.gov/divisions/veterinary/AvianInfluenza. From there, scroll down to the Biosecurity recommendations for utility and service companies link under Additional Resources.
Everyone needs to do their part to ensure strong biosecurity measures on farms to help protect our food supply. Having conversations with your service providers can help them understand why taking these types of measures matter.
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I want to remind folks about our upcoming Got to Be NC Festival May 15-17 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Go ahead and mark your calendars to make plans to attend. The Got to Be NC Pavilion will showcase North Carolina food and beverage companies that are part of our Got to Be NC program. Visitors can sample and buy delicious N.C. products from over 75 vendors.
We have a daily tractor parade and a large display of antique farm equipment, agricultural exhibits, food, rides and games, so it’s an event that is fun for the whole family.
Admission and parking is free with pay as you go for food, Pavilion entrance and carnival attractions.
I’d love to see you May 15-17 at the Got to Be NC Festival!
‘From the tractor’ is published in the monthly Agricultural Review.