Why it's important to consider biosecurity with fencing
Biosecurity is the management of risks to the economy, the environment, and the community, of pests and diseases entering, emerging, establishing or spreading.
So why does good fencing matter when it comes to biosecurity?
Biosecurity is a shared responsibility, and everyone can play their part. Inadequate boundary fencing can create tensions between neighbours due to time spent recovering stray animals and the potential biosecurity risk. You don’t want to be THAT neighbour.
Adequate fencing reduces the instances of exotic and endemic disease spreading from farm to farm. However, it doesn’t guarantee that livestock will stay in or out – which is where traceability becomes important
What can you do as a livestock owner?
Quarantine fencing, which is most effective with a double fence line, especially in high-risk locations. The amount of quarantine time for incoming or sick livestock is up to the farmer, but at least 2-3 weeks is recommended.
Learn to maintain adequate boundary fencing through workshops like Stock Sense’s.
Have PIC and NLIS tages up to date and have a biosecurity management plan (BMP) in place. (For BMP templates, click here)
Have an agreement with neighbours to manage stray livestock. For example, if there is a stray sheep on your farm, correctly identify it and get the neighbour to pick it up from your yards so they can run through a footbath to reduce the risk of footrot rather than tossing back over the fence.
Avoid buying in disease. When buying animals, request an animal health declaration from the seller to reduce the chance of bringing in unwanted disease. Eg – Johnes Disease Assurance Program (J-BAS), Ovine Brucellosis Accreditation.
Enact other biosecurity basics. Clean footwear and equipment, use a footbath (3% citric acid/bleach/Virkon or guest gumboots), biosecurity signage, farm maps, etc.