4 pp., 4 photosBiosecurity in the beef cattle industry involves understanding disease transmission and animal immunity, and then establishing a sound program for disease prevention. This publication explains general biosecurity practices

Cleere, Jason

Dement, Angela

Gill, Ronald J.

Texas A&M University

For beef cattle, biosecurity involves a system of manage-
ment practices that prevent diseases from infecting a herd.
Although biosecurity is often associated with foreign animal
diseases, the term also applies to common diseases that affect
herds, such as blackleg and bovine viral diarrhea. Vaccines
can help prevent disease, but other management practices can
be even more important. By developing biosecurity protocols
that protect cattle from the common diseases, producers are
establishing a safety net against a possible outbreak of a for-
eign animal disease in the United States.
How Disease Is Spread
Disease spreads directly—from an infected animal to a sus-
ceptible animal—or indirectly, from an infected animal to an
object or equipment, and then to a susceptible animal. For ex-
ample, feeding a calf with a bottle that has not been properly
sterilized can be a way of indirect transmission.
Disease is transmitted in seven primary ways:
• Aerosol: Disease pathogens are carried in the air on mois-
ture droplets from sneezing or coughing.
• Direct contact: Disease pathogen contacts an open wound,
saliva, blood or mucous membranes, or is passed from nose
to nose, by rubbing and biting.
• Oral: Susceptible animals consume disease-causing
By Jason Cleere, Assistant Professor and Extension Beef Cattle Specialist
Ron Gill, Professor and Extension Livestock Specialist
Angela Dement, Extension Assistant, Veterinary Medicine
The Texas A&M System
Improving Lives. Improving Texas.
Biosecurity for Beef Cattle Operations
L-5506
09-08
pathogens in contaminated feed and water or lick or
chew contaminated objects.
• Reproductive: Disease pathogens are spread during
mating or gestation.
• Vehicles: Contaminated objects, such as needles, trail-
ers, trucks or clothing, transfer the disease-causing
pathogen from an infected animal to a susceptible
animal.
• Vector-borne: A living insect, animal or human carries
the disease from an infected animal to a susceptible
animal.
• Fomites: Diseases are transmitted through contami-
nated soil, water and food.
Immunity
Immunity allows the animal to resist a disease by pre-
venting the pathogen’s development or by counteracting
the effects of its toxins. Immune animals have antibodies,
which destroy a specific pathogen before it causes an ill-
ness. Immunity is natural, active or passive.
Natural immunity is provided by the body’s natural de-
fenses, such as the skin and nasal passages, which help
keep disease pathogens out of the body. Some cells in the
body also attack disease-causing foreign particles. Fetuses
can acquire antibodies in utero through placental transfer.
Passive immunity comes through the transfer of anti-
bodies from one animal to another, such as through
colostrum in the mother’s milk shortly after birth. New-
borns must receive about 10 percent of their body weight
in colostrum within the first 24 hours after birth to en-
sure some protection against diseases.
Active immunity is provided by protective vaccinations
or by the body’s fight against an infection. Both modi-
fied-live and killed vaccines cause the body to produce
antibodies without actually acquiring the disease. Booster
vaccinations may be necessary to maintain immunity.
Vaccinations
Total disease prevention is not possible; therefore, any
ranch biosecurity plan requires a sound vaccination pro-
gram that targets diseases the cattle may be exposed to.
Vaccines are only as effective as the animal’s immune
response; injecting cattle with vaccine does not guarantee
the herd’s immunity. Factors such as nutritional, ship-
ping, social and weather stress can decrease the level of
immune response. Minimizing animal stress will improve
the disease protection within the herd. Handling and ad-
ministering vaccines according to the manufacturer’s
label is important in maintaining the integrity of vaccine
and providing protection against the targeted disease.
When handling and working with vaccines:
• Read the label and/or medication insert before vaccinat-
ing animals.
• Observe the expiration date and storage information.
• Keep refrigerators at the proper temperature to main-
tain vaccine effectiveness, usually between 36 degrees
F and 46 degrees F.
• Protect vaccines from sunlight.
• Give the right vaccine to the right species. If the label
indicates it is for use in swine, do not use it in cattle.
This extra-label use is illegal unless done under the su-
pervision and recommendation of a veterinarian.
• Give the proper dose in the appropriate area on the ani-
mal, using the recommended technique.
• Do not insert a used needle back into an open bottle.
Always use a sterile needle.
• Use a transfer needle or a sterile needle to reconstitute
modified-live vaccines.
• Use boiling water, not chemical sterilants, to disinfect
syringes.
• Mix only the quantity of modified-live vaccine that will
be used within 1 hour.
• Dispose of the remaining opened vaccine properly after
completing the day’s inoculations because the vaccine
does not keep well once the bottle seal has been punc-
tured.
• Give booster vaccinations when the label requires it.
• Keep a record of all vaccinations and treatments.
• Follow withdrawal periods.
Consult a veterinarian to ensure proper timing and im-
plementation of a vaccination schedule. Even under ideal
conditions, vaccinations are not 100 percent effective.
Take extra care in handling and administering vaccines to
achieve the highest possible level of immunity.
Evaluate the cost-benefit ratio of any biosecurity man-
agement practices. Do the benefits outweigh the costs?
For example, if a weaned calf is worth about $550, the
loss of that calf can cost the ranch $550 in lost revenue. If
a vaccination routine that costs $1.50 per animal, includ-
ing new needles for each, is implemented on a 40-cow
herd, the total cost for this biosecurity practice may be as
low as $60. If the result is one more calf, the net benefit
is $490.
Procedures for Handling
Incoming Cattle
Almost every ranch eventually must add new breeding
animals to the operation. Some stocker or feedlot opera-
tions continuously add new cattle. These new cattle can
bring disease to the ranch. Minimize this risk by:
• Defining the level of disease risk for the new cattle. For
example, yearling virgin bulls from a purebred breeder
with a strict health protocol may be low risk, while
cows from an unknown source may be high risk.
• Isolating new animals from the rest of the herd for at
least 3 weeks, and possibly at a location off the ranch
• Watching the isolated animals closely for symptoms of
illness, such as elevated temperature and abnormal be-
havior
• Consulting a local veterinarian to determine which dis-
eases to test quarantined animals for
• Vaccinating cattle according to ranch protocols
Limiting Unauthorized Access to
Pastures and Cattle
Unauthorized visitors may introduce diseases to the
ranch, increase the risk of theft and cause liability issues.
To help prevent this:
• Keep doors and gates locked at all times.
• Post “No Trespassing” signs.
• Conduct random security checks and look for signs of
unauthorized activity or entry.
• Maintain good perimeter fences.
• Know your neighbors and set up a crime watch
program.
• Secure pesticides, fertilizers, feed and nutrients.
• Secure water sources and identify alternative sources.
General Biosecurity Practices
Consider these additional general management tips:
• Disinfect reusable equipment, including tattooers, im-
plant guns, ear notchers, dehorners and castration
knives, between animals. Sterilize equipment that has
been used off the ranch before it is brought back to the
ranch.
• Identify cattle and maintain current records.
• Watch cattle for adverse health symptoms or behavior;
sudden and unexplained deaths; large numbers of sick
animals; unusual ticks or maggots; blisters around an
animal’s nose, teats, mouth or hooves; difficulty rising
and walking; a drop in milk production; and a large
number of dead insects, rodents or wildlife. Contact a
veterinarian immediately if these symptoms occur.
• Keep cattle away from exotic wildlife that may harbor
disease.
• Develop a carcass disposal plan.
• Remove animals that are “reservoirs” for certain dis-
eases such as Johne’s, trichomoniasis or bovine viral di-
arrhea. These animals continue to shed the pathogen
and infect other animals.
• Avoid fecal and urine contamination of feed and water
sources.
• Control pest populations and limit access to feedstuffs.
• Create an emergency contact list of resource people
within the community. Post copies near telephones and
on bulletin boards. Have employees enter these num-
bers into their cell phones.
Produced by AgriLife Communications, The Texas A&M System
Extension publications can be found on the Web at: http://AgriLifebookstore.org.
Visit the Texas AgriLife Extension Service at http://AgriLifeExtension.tamu.edu.
Educational programs conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion,
handicap or national origin.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Edward G. Smith, Director, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, The Texas A&M System.
17.5M, New
Summary
Protecting cattle from disease is cost-effective. Ranch
biosecurity hinges on preventing the introduction of dis-
ease into the operation and developing adequate immu-
nity in the herd.


English

Biosecurity for Beef Cattle Operations

Texas A&amp;M Repository

For beef cattle, biosecurity involves a system of manage-ment practices that prevent diseases from infecting a herd.Although biosecurity is often associated with foreign animaldiseases, the term also applies to common diseases that affectherds, such as blackleg and bovine viral diarrhea. Vaccinescan help prevent disease, but other management practices canbe even more important. By developing biosecurity protocolsthat protect cattle from the common diseases, producers areestablishing a safety net against a possible outbreak of a for-eign animal disease in the United States.How Disease Is SpreadDisease spreads directly—from an infected animal to a sus-ceptible animal—or indirectly, from an infected animal to anobject or equipment, and then to a susceptible animal. For ex-ample, feeding a calf with a bottle that has not been properlysterilized can be a way of indirect transmission.Disease is transmitted in seven primary ways:• Aerosol: Disease pathogens are carried in the air on mois-ture droplets from sneezing or coughing.• Direct contact: Disease pathogen contacts an open wound,saliva, blood or mucous membranes, or is passed from noseto nose, by rubbing and biting.• Oral: Susceptible animals consume disease-causingBy Jason Cleere, Assistant Professor and Extension Beef Cattle SpecialistRon Gill, Professor and Extension Livestock SpecialistAngela Dement, Extension Assistant, Veterinary MedicineThe Texas A&M SystemImproving Lives. Improving Texas.Biosecurity for Beef Cattle OperationsL-550609-08pathogens in contaminated feed and water or lick orchew contaminated objects.• Reproductive: Disease pathogens are spread duringmating or gestation.• Vehicles: Contaminated objects, such as needles, trail-ers, trucks or clothing, transfer the disease-causingpathogen from an infected animal to a susceptibleanimal.• Vector-borne: A living insect, animal or human carriesthe disease from an infected animal to a susceptibleanimal.• Fomites: Diseases are transmitted through contami-nated soil, water and food.ImmunityImmunity allows the animal to resist a disease by pre-venting the pathogen’s development or by counteractingthe effects of its toxins. Immune animals have antibodies,which destroy a specific pathogen before it causes an ill-ness. Immunity is natural, active or passive.Natural immunity is provided by the body’s natural de-fenses, such as the skin and nasal passages, which helpkeep disease pathogens out of the body. Some cells in thebody also attack disease-causing foreign particles. Fetusescan acquire antibodies in utero through placental transfer.Passive immunity comes through the transfer of anti-bodies from one animal to another, such as throughcolostrum in the mother’s milk shortly after birth. New-borns must receive about 10 percent of their body weightin colostrum within the first 24 hours after birth to en-sure some protection against diseases.Active immunity is provided by protective vaccinationsor by the body’s fight against an infection. Both modi-fied-live and killed vaccines cause the body to produceantibodies without actually acquiring the disease. Boostervaccinations may be necessary to maintain immunity.VaccinationsTotal disease prevention is not possible; therefore, anyranch biosecurity plan requires a sound vaccination pro-gram that targets diseases the cattle may be exposed to.Vaccines are only as effective as the animal’s immuneresponse; injecting cattle with vaccine does not guaranteethe herd’s immunity. Factors such as nutritional, ship-ping, social and weather stress can decrease the level ofimmune response. Minimizing animal stress will improvethe disease protection within the herd. Handling and ad-ministering vaccines according to the manufacturer’slabel is important in maintaining the integrity of vaccineand providing protection against the targeted disease.When handling and working with vaccines:• Read the label and/or medication insert before vaccinat-ing animals.• Observe the expiration date and storage information.• Keep refrigerators at the proper temperature to main-tain vaccine effectiveness, usually between 36 degreesF and 46 degrees F.• Protect vaccines from sunlight.• Give the right vaccine to the right species. If the labelindicates it is for use in swine, do not use it in cattle.This extra-label use is illegal unless done under the su-pervision and recommendation of a veterinarian.• Give the proper dose in the appropriate area on the ani-mal, using the recommended technique.• Do not insert a used needle back into an open bottle.Always use a sterile needle.• Use a transfer needle or a sterile needle to reconstitutemodified-live vaccines.• Use boiling water, not chemical sterilants, to disinfectsyringes.• Mix only the quantity of modified-live vaccine that willbe used within 1 hour.• Dispose of the remaining opened vaccine properly aftercompleting the day’s inoculations because the vaccinedoes not keep well once the bottle seal has been punc-tured.• Give booster vaccinations when the label requires it.• Keep a record of all vaccinations and treatments.• Follow withdrawal periods.Consult a veterinarian to ensure proper timing and im-plementation of a vaccination schedule. Even under idealconditions, vaccinations are not 100 percent effective.Take extra care in handling and administering vaccines toachieve the highest possible level of immunity.Evaluate the cost-benefit ratio of any biosecurity man-agement practices. Do the benefits outweigh the costs?For example, if a weaned calf is worth about $550, theloss of that calf can cost the ranch $550 in lost revenue. Ifa vaccination routine that costs $1.50 per animal, includ-ing new needles for each, is implemented on a 40-cowherd, the total cost for this biosecurity practice may be aslow as $60. If the result is one more calf, the net benefitis $490.Procedures for HandlingIncoming CattleAlmost every ranch eventually must add new breedinganimals to the operation. Some stocker or feedlot opera-tions continuously add new cattle. These new cattle canbring disease to the ranch. Minimize this risk by:• Defining the level of disease risk for the new cattle. Forexample, yearling virgin bulls from a purebred breederwith a strict health protocol may be low risk, whilecows from an unknown source may be high risk.• Isolating new animals from the rest of the herd for atleast 3 weeks, and possibly at a location off the ranch• Watching the isolated animals closely for symptoms ofillness, such as elevated temperature and abnormal be-havior• Consulting a local veterinarian to determine which dis-eases to test quarantined animals for• Vaccinating cattle according to ranch protocolsLimiting Unauthorized Access toPastures and CattleUnauthorized visitors may introduce diseases to theranch, increase the risk of theft and cause liability issues.To help prevent this:• Keep doors and gates locked at all times.• Post “No Trespassing” signs.• Conduct random security checks and look for signs ofunauthorized activity or entry.• Maintain good perimeter fences.• Know your neighbors and set up a crime watchprogram.• Secure pesticides, fertilizers, feed and nutrients.• Secure water sources and identify alternative sources.General Biosecurity PracticesConsider these additional general management tips:• Disinfect reusable equipment, including tattooers, im-plant guns, ear notchers, dehorners and castrationknives, between animals. Sterilize equipment that hasbeen used off the ranch before it is brought back to theranch.• Identify cattle and maintain current records.• Watch cattle for adverse health symptoms or behavior;sudden and unexplained deaths; large numbers of sickanimals; unusual ticks or maggots; blisters around ananimal’s nose, teats, mouth or hooves; difficulty risingand walking; a drop in milk production; and a largenumber of dead insects, rodents or wildlife. Contact aveterinarian immediately if these symptoms occur.• Keep cattle away from exotic wildlife that may harbordisease.• Develop a carcass disposal plan.• Remove animals that are “reservoirs” for certain dis-eases such as Johne’s, trichomoniasis or bovine viral di-arrhea. These animals continue to shed the pathogenand infect other animals.• Avoid fecal and urine contamination of feed and watersources.• Control pest populations and limit access to feedstuffs.• Create an emergency contact list of resource peoplewithin the community. Post copies near telephones andon bulletin boards. Have employees enter these num-bers into their cell phones.Produced by AgriLife Communications, The Texas A&M SystemExtension publications can be found on the Web at: http://AgriLifebookstore.org.Visit the Texas AgriLife Extension Service at http://AgriLifeExtension.tamu.edu.Educational programs conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion,handicap or national origin.Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914, incooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Edward G. Smith, Director, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, The Texas A&M System.17.5M, NewSummaryProtecting cattle from disease is cost-effective. Ranchbiosecurity hinges on preventing the introduction of dis-ease into the operation and developing adequate immu-nity in the herd.

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Biosecurity for Beef Cattle Operations

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Biosecurity for Beef Cattle Operations

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Texas A&M University

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