Lynch, Margaret

English

UNH Scholars' Repository

University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryHonors Theses and Capstones Student ScholarshipFall 2012Biosecurity Risk Assessment of the Fairchild DairyNutrition Research CenterMargaret LynchUniversity of New Hampshire - Main Campus, mkv42@wildcats.unh.eduFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/honorsPart of the Dairy Science Commons, and the Other Animal Sciences CommonsThis Senior Honors Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Scholarship at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository.It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Theses and Capstones by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars'Repository. For more information, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationLynch, Margaret, "Biosecurity Risk Assessment of the Fairchild Dairy Nutrition Research Center" (2012). Honors Theses andCapstones. 91.https://scholars.unh.edu/honors/91Margaret Lynch  Honors Thesis Biosecurity Risk Assessment of the Fairchild Dairy Nutrition Research Center Definition  Biosecurity is a system of management practices used to protect animals from infectious agents externally or internally. The management of risks related to infectious agents arriving from locations off the dairy farm fall under external biosecurity whereas the management of risks related to infectious agents that are already present on the premises is characterized as internal biosecurity. The latter is usually associated with the transmission of infectious agents from older animals to younger ones.  Introduction  The Fairchild Dairy Nutrition Research Center (DNRC) is part of the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station and the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture at the University of New Hampshire. Each year about 3,000 people visit the Fairchild Center not including over 10 classes of students, faculty, staff and researchers. This amount of traffic invariably leads to various transmissions of infectious and non-infectious agents that could be fatal to the animals at the Fairchild Dairy Nutrition Research Center and to the surrounding communities. Effective biosecurity practices are vital to the Fairchild Dairy Nutrition Research Center.   Biosecurity Risk Assessments are used to determine specific areas that might be lacking in protection for all parties involved. The Risk Assessment of the Fairchild Center included numerous visits with Jon Whitehouse, the manager, as well as with Dr. Dean Elder, Animal Resource Officer.    Low Risk Assessments  As you enter the facility, the initial risk is low. Transmission can occur in many areas of transportation. Any car or truck entering or leaving the property could act as a vector for pathogens specifically on the tires. The specific vehicles to be concerned most about are the milk truck, manure truck, and feed truck. These vehicles usually visit multiple farms every day and could therefore carry many pathogens to and from the Fairchild Center.  Presently, every time the milk is picked up, the milk tank is sanitized to prevent bacterial growth within the tank and any bacteria that might have been transferred from the truck to the tank during emptying. The manure truck does not come into direct contact with the animals but there could still be a risk.   Any feed that is commercially bought and delivered to the Fairchild Center, is not in direct contact with the herd. Most feed is self contained and packaged and is inspected before using ruling out feed that might be contaminated. Blood meal and minerals fall under this category.   If any Mostly Mixed Grass silage (MMG silage) that is grown and produced on the property could also act a vector when stored in the silos and fermented. The silo environment is optimal for the growth of most pathogens. For every load that is packed at the Fairchild Center, a sample is taken and analyzed for nutrient contents. This can also act as a means for screening the MMG silage just using observational methods such as sight and smell. Some fungi found in fermented feed, Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. can invade grain after harvest and produce mycotoxins of which can be carcinogenic or immunosuppressant. These mycotoxins have been detected in milk before, although the transmission is not completely understood. (orriss) If not properly packed for storage, it provides animals with the opportunity to feed.   As MMG silage is slowly emptied into the hoppers, another means of contamination is present. Each hopper is open at all times providing an opportunity for bacterial growth and providing an ideal feed source for wildlife. Many birds will come to know the overhead rafters above the hoppers as their home, eating and defecating in the hoppers. The feed is then directly dumped into the data ranger providing another area of contamination. Due to the constant use of the hoppers as well as the data ranger, it is continuously checked for abnormalities but there is no current cleaning procedure to sanitize or decontaminate these specific areas.   When the feed is mixed and distributed from the data ranger to the feed bunks, risk is generally low due to a few rules set forth by the management. There are separate shovels, and brooms for feed and manure that are clearly marked. Staff is not allowed to walk in the feed bunks preventing fecal to oral contact from the staff to the cow.   The risk assessment of feed-borne pathogens is low due to the knowledge of where the feed is originally grown or produced and the methods of distributing it to the herd. Following a thermal death curve for predicted pasteurization related organisms can decrease the risk (Gay)  Town water is the main source for the Fairchild Center. Weekly reports are distributed to consumers providing them with results of water testing. As long as the results are negative, the risk is low. The main water main and pipe lines must be routinely checked for damage as water is a very fast method of transmission. As the water enters the facility, there are a variety of methods to which it reaches each individual cow. In the main barn, automatic waters expose a small amount of water as the cow drinks. The water bowl itself provides an excellent surface for bacterial growth as well as a perch for small birds that carry pathogens internally and externally. In the dry barn and heifer barn the automatic waters are larger containers to provide more water for multiple cows. The surface area is therefore larger for numerous birds to perch. Each calf in the calf barn has a water bucket that is cleaned out multiple times a week.    The risk assessment of water-borne pathogens is low as the town water is responsible providing clean water to people and animals.   Flies are another potential vector during the warmer months. Flies are known for transmitting many diseases such as West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis both of which have not been shown to present a risk to dairy cattle but flies have been known to transmit Myiases to dairy cattle and sometimes humans producing maggots in feces. (Merck) The fans are turned on at the Fairchild Center during the warmer months providing adequate circulation and an inopportune environment for flies to settle in. In extreme cases, insecticide might be used. Dry cows that are pasteurized have a slightly higher risk of infection via flies.  High Risk Assessments   People are of a higher risk at the Fairchild Center due to the constant increased traffic compared to other dairy facilities. A visitor from the nearby community present a lower risk to biosafety compared to the dairy management student who originally comes from a farm. Each person carries bacteria on their shoes, clothing and skin. Each of which generally comes into contact with the herd either directly or indirectly. Direct contact is a significant risk due to fecal to oral transmission specifically E. Coli 157.   Vikon foot scrub and boot scrubbers are located at various entries and exits for personal use as well as hand sanitizers. If desired, plastic boot covers are available. On the main door to the lobby and the heifer barn, there are signs indicating some general rules for visitors to follow. The signs should be updated with specific locations that visitors are not allowed to enter such as the feed bunks.   Certain areas of the Fairchild Center are off-limits to visitors designated by a chain or a gate blocking the entryway. These areas include the milking parlor, and calf feed prep room, as well as aisles directly behind the cows. The latter is most important to protect the public from getting physically hurt but also to minimize the amount of contact they have with manure which contains bacteria, ammonia and will eventually ferment producing methane. The rumen microorganisms produce 400-600g of methane a day that is removed from the body via the breath. Generally the public is allowed to walk in the center aisle placing them in direct contact with an excessive amount of methane. Due to this factor, it is very important to have an efficient ventilation system; ie open to the air. In the Fairchild Center, the main barn has windows along both sides as well as two open doors that increase the amount of air flow therefore diluting the methane as it is deposited into the air.  Other High Risk Assessments   A closed dairy facility has lower risks than a semi-closed and an open facility. A herd is considered closed when it doesn’t: buy any genetics or livestock, commingle stock, buy feeds of any animal origin, have any wildlife exposure, have any vermin, have any neighbors with livestock, hire livestock haulers or take livestock to fairs or shows. If a herd is truly closed, then the biosecurity risk assessments are all extremely low. (GEY)   At the Fairchild Dairy Nutrition Research Center, the facility is considered semi-closed. In the last 5 years, a small herd of Jerseys Cows and Holsteins were purchased for research purposes. Ideally new animals should be quarantined for two weeks before introducing them to the herd. If the facility they were housed in prior had multiple cases of clostridium, it could be introduced into your herd. In addition to quarantine, the animals should be tested for diseases that are specifically contagious such as Bovine Viral Diarrhea, Johne’s disease and Bovine Leukosis. Quarantine requires a separate facility to house the animals as well as a separate containment area for waste. The Fairchild center is not equipped to fully quarantine new animals. The general protocol consists of housing them in a maternity pen for two weeks. This allows the animals to acclimate to the environment while the tests are run. Animals bought from a local dairy present a lower risk than animals that were shipped to an auction with other animals. When assessing the risk of a replacement herd it is necessary to know where the animal presented from.   The Fairchild Center uses artificial insemination for all its breeding purposes such as Accelerated Genetics. When purchasing any form of genetics from an outside source, it is imperative the company is credited with high quality and can present the data on each bull source.    In addition to purchasing genetics, the Fairchild Center also purchases blood meal, a protein supplement derived from pig’s blood. This presents one of the highest risks as these animals are raised off the property in different facilities exposed to many other pathogens. When these animals go to slaughter they are thoroughly inspected by federal regulations.   Although most of the herd is not grazed, during the summer months, the dry cows are permitted to graze throughout the day. This presents a risk against the herd’s health because of the extra exposure to wildlife. The field is surrounded by an electric fence to keep the cows enclosed but does not to prohibit wildlife. In addition to defending the herd against physical attacks from wildlife, it is important to remember the wildlife can act as a vector for pathogenic agents such as Leptospirosis through infected urine. Tick diseases also present a risk for the dairy herd as they are generally very costly to treat.   The Fairchild Dairy Center is not devoid of vermin – rats, birds, flies. To allow for better air flow, the windows are generally open permitting birds and flies free access. Each can act as vectors for many diseases including West Nile Virus, and salmonella. Woodchucks, groundhogs, gophers are persistently burrowing near the entry way to the barn via the feed alley and the heifer barn. As they burrow and breed, not only do their wastes present a risk but their future litters can too.   Generally, any animals hauled by other livestock trailers are leaving the property permanently therefore the only risk presented is by the truck itself driving onto the property. There are other dairy facilities in close proximity, one of them being the UNH Organic Dairy Facility which follows most of the same protocols as the Fairchild.   Various dairy shows are held on campus with UNH-owned cows. Due to lack of space, the shows are held inside the indoor Equine arena. Although the horses and cows do not have direct contact, the facility is not fully sterilized before or after use. The building itself is a vector regardless of the species type.  Prevention  Many infectious diseases are transmitted via contact with contaminated feces, urine, blood or by-products. A good vaccination program, as part of a biosecurity plan can be used for preventative care for many infectious diseases on a dairy farm. The Fairchild Center currently vaccinates against many infectious diseases.   Calves are vaccinated with Barguard 99 to prevent E. Coli based diarrhea and Calf Guard that prevents against Bovine Rotavirus and Coronavirus.   INFECTIOUS DISEASES definitions and description Bovine Rotavirus, Coronovirus, and Bovine Virus Diarrhea   Calf – barguard 99 for E. Coli and calf guard for bovine rotavirus and coronavirus (diarrhea), brucella vaccine,  2 shots for booster : virus shield 6 + L5 Somnus for IBR, PI3, BRSV, Cytopathic and noncytopathic BVD Type 1, noncytopathic BVD Type 2, Haemophilus somnus and the 5 most common strains of lepto.     Cow – virus shield 6 + L5 Somnus when they dry off (once a year after the first 2)  Jvac at dry off for E. coli mastitis for colliform mastitis   What we do now as a preventative for human transmission - Virkon foot scrub, and boot brushers - Hand sanitizer - Chained off areas behind cows  - Signs: do not walk in feed bunk   What we do now as a preventative for cow transmission - Copper sulfate foot bath - Iodine teat pre and post dip  - Ivamentic for Mange     BIRDS Animals can carry infectious agents from farm to farm but birds travel at a faster rate than most animals giving them a higher risk value. Not only do they carry disease, but they cause destruction to the property, increase feed and medical cost and overall discomfort to the cows housed in that facility.   In most dairy facilities a flood of various birds move in and out all throughout the year but generally stay during the winter months. At any given time you might find starlings, pigeons, and sparrows nesting in places like the rafters, cupulas, feed bunks, fresh bedding, manure pit and feed barn. Birds are very adaptive and resourceful animals. They are also great communicators and recruit other birds. Impact of Birds  Birds excrete urine and feces in one package in order to conserve water. Due to this fact, instead of secreting urea in urine, their feces contain uric acid. Uric Acid is a corrosive agent.          1. John Gay, DVM PhD DACVPM  Epidemiologist, Field Disease  Investigation Unit (Washington state university) An Overview of  Biosecurity in Beef and  Dairy Herds 2. Merck Vet manual  http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/integumentary_system/flies/pseudomyiasis.html   Pseudomyiasis    Last full review/revision July 2011 by Charles M. Hendrix, DVM, PhD 3. CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases Vol. 3, No. 4, October–December 1997  Pages 497-502  Animal Diseases of Public Health Importance Gregory D. Orriss Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/3/4/pdfs/97-0413.pdf   4. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwdp/pdf/Carlson%20et%20al%202011.pdf  Efficacy of European starling control to reduce Salmonella enterica contamination in a concentrated animal feeding operation in the Texas panhandle 

Biosecurity Risk Assessment of the Fairchild Dairy Nutrition Research Center

University of New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository
Honors Theses and Capstones Student Scholarship
Fall 2012
Biosecurity Risk Assessment of the Fairchild Dairy
Nutrition Research Center
Margaret Lynch
University of New Hampshire - Main Campus, mkv42@wildcats.unh.edu
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/honors
Part of the Dairy Science Commons, and the Other Animal Sciences Commons
This Senior Honors Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Scholarship at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository.
It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Theses and Capstones by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars'
Repository. For more information, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.
Recommended Citation
Lynch, Margaret, "Biosecurity Risk Assessment of the Fairchild Dairy Nutrition Research Center" (2012). Honors Theses and
Capstones. 91.
https://scholars.unh.edu/honors/91
Margaret Lynch  
Honors Thesis 
Biosecurity Risk Assessment of the Fairchild Dairy Nutrition Research Center 
Definition 
 Biosecurity is a system of management practices used to protect animals from infectious 
agents externally or internally. The management of risks related to infectious agents arriving 
from locations off the dairy farm fall under external biosecurity whereas the management of risks 
related to infectious agents that are already present on the premises is characterized as internal 
biosecurity. The latter is usually associated with the transmission of infectious agents from older 
animals to younger ones.  
Introduction 
 The Fairchild Dairy Nutrition Research Center (DNRC) is part of the New Hampshire 
Agricultural Experiment Station and the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture at the 
University of New Hampshire. Each year about 3,000 people visit the Fairchild Center not 
including over 10 classes of students, faculty, staff and researchers. This amount of traffic 
invariably leads to various transmissions of infectious and non-infectious agents that could be 
fatal to the animals at the Fairchild Dairy Nutrition Research Center and to the surrounding 
communities. Effective biosecurity practices are vital to the Fairchild Dairy Nutrition Research 
Center.  
 Biosecurity Risk Assessments are used to determine specific areas that might be lacking 
in protection for all parties involved. The Risk Assessment of the Fairchild Center included 
numerous visits with Jon Whitehouse, the manager, as well as with Dr. Dean Elder, Animal 
Resource Officer.  
  
Low Risk Assessments 
 As you enter the facility, the initial risk is low. Transmission can occur in many areas of 
transportation. Any car or truck entering or leaving the property could act as a vector for 
pathogens specifically on the tires. The specific vehicles to be concerned most about are the milk 
truck, manure truck, and feed truck. These vehicles usually visit multiple farms every day and 
could therefore carry many pathogens to and from the Fairchild Center.  Presently, every time 
the milk is picked up, the milk tank is sanitized to prevent bacterial growth within the tank and 
any bacteria that might have been transferred from the truck to the tank during emptying. The 
manure truck does not come into direct contact with the animals but there could still be a risk.  
 Any feed that is commercially bought and delivered to the Fairchild Center, is not in 
direct contact with the herd. Most feed is self contained and packaged and is inspected before 
using ruling out feed that might be contaminated. Blood meal and minerals fall under this 
category.  
 If any Mostly Mixed Grass silage (MMG silage) that is grown and produced on the 
property could also act a vector when stored in the silos and fermented. The silo environment is 
optimal for the growth of most pathogens. For every load that is packed at the Fairchild Center, a 
sample is taken and analyzed for nutrient contents. This can also act as a means for screening the 
MMG silage just using observational methods such as sight and smell. Some fungi found in 
fermented feed, Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. can invade grain after harvest and produce 
mycotoxins of which can be carcinogenic or immunosuppressant. These mycotoxins have been 
detected in milk before, although the transmission is not completely understood. (orriss) If not 
properly packed for storage, it provides animals with the opportunity to feed.  
 As MMG silage is slowly emptied into the hoppers, another means of contamination is 
present. Each hopper is open at all times providing an opportunity for bacterial growth and 
providing an ideal feed source for wildlife. Many birds will come to know the overhead rafters 
above the hoppers as their home, eating and defecating in the hoppers. The feed is then directly 
dumped into the data ranger providing another area of contamination. Due to the constant use of 
the hoppers as well as the data ranger, it is continuously checked for abnormalities but there is no 
current cleaning procedure to sanitize or decontaminate these specific areas.  
 When the feed is mixed and distributed from the data ranger to the feed bunks, risk is 
generally low due to a few rules set forth by the management. There are separate shovels, and 
brooms for feed and manure that are clearly marked. Staff is not allowed to walk in the feed 
bunks preventing fecal to oral contact from the staff to the cow.  
 The risk assessment of feed-borne pathogens is low due to the knowledge of where the 
feed is originally grown or produced and the methods of distributing it to the herd. Following a 
thermal death curve for predicted pasteurization related organisms can decrease the risk (Gay) 
 Town water is the main source for the Fairchild Center. Weekly reports are distributed to 
consumers providing them with results of water testing. As long as the results are negative, the 
risk is low. The main water main and pipe lines must be routinely checked for damage as water 
is a very fast method of transmission. As the water enters the facility, there are a variety of 
methods to which it reaches each individual cow. In the main barn, automatic waters expose a 
small amount of water as the cow drinks. The water bowl itself provides an excellent surface for 
bacterial growth as well as a perch for small birds that carry pathogens internally and externally. 
In the dry barn and heifer barn the automatic waters are larger containers to provide more water 
for multiple cows. The surface area is therefore larger for numerous birds to perch. Each calf in 
the calf barn has a water bucket that is cleaned out multiple times a week.   
 The risk assessment of water-borne pathogens is low as the town water is responsible 
providing clean water to people and animals.  
 Flies are another potential vector during the warmer months. Flies are known for 
transmitting many diseases such as West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis both of which 
have not been shown to present a risk to dairy cattle but flies have been known to transmit 
Myiases to dairy cattle and sometimes humans producing maggots in feces. (Merck) The fans are 
turned on at the Fairchild Center during the warmer months providing adequate circulation and 
an inopportune environment for flies to settle in. In extreme cases, insecticide might be used. Dry 
cows that are pasteurized have a slightly higher risk of infection via flies.  
High Risk Assessments  
 People are of a higher risk at the Fairchild Center due to the constant increased traffic 
compared to other dairy facilities. A visitor from the nearby community present a lower risk to 
biosafety compared to the dairy management student who originally comes from a farm. Each 
person carries bacteria on their shoes, clothing and skin. Each of which generally comes into 
contact with the herd either directly or indirectly. Direct contact is a significant risk due to fecal 
to oral transmission specifically E. Coli 157.  
 Vikon foot scrub and boot scrubbers are located at various entries and exits for personal 
use as well as hand sanitizers. If desired, plastic boot covers are available. On the main door to 
the lobby and the heifer barn, there are signs indicating some general rules for visitors to follow. 
The signs should be updated with specific locations that visitors are not allowed to enter such as 
the feed bunks.  
 Certain areas of the Fairchild Center are off-limits to visitors designated by a chain or a 
gate blocking the entryway. These areas include the milking parlor, and calf feed prep room, as 
well as aisles directly behind the cows. The latter is most important to protect the public from 
getting physically hurt but also to minimize the amount of contact they have with manure which 
contains bacteria, ammonia and will eventually ferment producing methane. The rumen 
microorganisms produce 400-600g of methane a day that is removed from the body via the 
breath. Generally the public is allowed to walk in the center aisle placing them in direct contact 
with an excessive amount of methane. Due to this factor, it is very important to have an efficient 
ventilation system; ie open to the air. In the Fairchild Center, the main barn has windows along 
both sides as well as two open doors that increase the amount of air flow therefore diluting the 
methane as it is deposited into the air.  
Other High Risk Assessments  
 A closed dairy facility has lower risks than a semi-closed and an open facility. A herd is 
considered closed when it doesn’t: buy any genetics or livestock, commingle stock, buy feeds of 
any animal origin, have any wildlife exposure, have any vermin, have any neighbors with 
livestock, hire livestock haulers or take livestock to fairs or shows. If a herd is truly closed, then 
the biosecurity risk assessments are all extremely low. (GEY)  
 At the Fairchild Dairy Nutrition Research Center, the facility is considered semi-closed. 
In the last 5 years, a small herd of Jerseys Cows and Holsteins were purchased for research 
purposes. Ideally new animals should be quarantined for two weeks before introducing them to 
the herd. If the facility they were housed in prior had multiple cases of clostridium, it could be 
introduced into your herd. In addition to quarantine, the animals should be tested for diseases 
that are specifically contagious such as Bovine Viral Diarrhea, Johne’s disease and Bovine 
Leukosis. Quarantine requires a separate facility to house the animals as well as a separate 
containment area for waste. The Fairchild center is not equipped to fully quarantine new animals. 
The general protocol consists of housing them in a maternity pen for two weeks. This allows the 
animals to acclimate to the environment while the tests are run. Animals bought from a local 
dairy present a lower risk than animals that were shipped to an auction with other animals. When 
assessing the risk of a replacement herd it is necessary to know where the animal presented from.  
 The Fairchild Center uses artificial insemination for all its breeding purposes such as 
Accelerated Genetics. When purchasing any form of genetics from an outside source, it is 
imperative the company is credited with high quality and can present the data on each bull 
source.   
 In addition to purchasing genetics, the Fairchild Center also purchases blood meal, a 
protein supplement derived from pig’s blood. This presents one of the highest risks as these 
animals are raised off the property in different facilities exposed to many other pathogens. When 
these animals go to slaughter they are thoroughly inspected by federal regulations.  
 Although most of the herd is not grazed, during the summer months, the dry cows are 
permitted to graze throughout the day. This presents a risk against the herd’s health because of 
the extra exposure to wildlife. The field is surrounded by an electric fence to keep the cows 
enclosed but does not to prohibit wildlife. In addition to defending the herd against physical 
attacks from wildlife, it is important to remember the wildlife can act as a vector for pathogenic 
agents such as Leptospirosis through infected urine. Tick diseases also present a risk for the dairy 
herd as they are generally very costly to treat.  
 The Fairchild Dairy Center is not devoid of vermin – rats, birds, flies. To allow for better 
air flow, the windows are generally open permitting birds and flies free access. Each can act as 
vectors for many diseases including West Nile Virus, and salmonella. Woodchucks, groundhogs, 
gophers are persistently burrowing near the entry way to the barn via the feed alley and the heifer 
barn. As they burrow and breed, not only do their wastes present a risk but their future litters can 
too.  
 Generally, any animals hauled by other livestock trailers are leaving the property 
permanently therefore the only risk presented is by the truck itself driving onto the property. 
There are other dairy facilities in close proximity, one of them being the UNH Organic Dairy 
Facility which follows most of the same protocols as the Fairchild.  
 Various dairy shows are held on campus with UNH-owned cows. Due to lack of space, 
the shows are held inside the indoor Equine arena. Although the horses and cows do not have 
direct contact, the facility is not fully sterilized before or after use. The building itself is a vector 
regardless of the species type.  
Prevention 
 Many infectious diseases are transmitted via contact with contaminated feces, urine, 
blood or by-products. A good vaccination program, as part of a biosecurity plan can be used for 
preventative care for many infectious diseases on a dairy farm. The Fairchild Center currently 
vaccinates against many infectious diseases.  
 Calves are vaccinated with Barguard 99 to prevent E. Coli based diarrhea and Calf Guard 
that prevents against Bovine Rotavirus and Coronavirus.  
 INFECTIOUS DISEASES definitions and description 
Bovine Rotavirus, Coronovirus, and Bovine Virus Diarrhea  
 Calf – barguard 99 for E. Coli and calf guard for bovine rotavirus and coronavirus (diarrhea), 
brucella vaccine,  
2 shots for booster : virus shield 6 + L5 Somnus for IBR, PI3, BRSV, Cytopathic and 
noncytopathic BVD Type 1, noncytopathic BVD Type 2, Haemophilus somnus and the 5 most 
common strains of lepto.     
Cow – virus shield 6 + L5 Somnus when they dry off (once a year after the first 2)  
Jvac at dry off for E. coli mastitis for colliform mastitis  
 What we do now as a preventative for human transmission 
- Virkon foot scrub, and boot brushers 
- Hand sanitizer 
- Chained off areas behind cows  
- Signs: do not walk in feed bunk  
 What we do now as a preventative for cow transmission 
- Copper sulfate foot bath 
- Iodine teat pre and post dip  
- Ivamentic for Mange  
  
 
BIRDS 
Animals can carry infectious agents from farm to farm but birds travel at a faster rate than most 
animals giving them a higher risk value. Not only do they carry disease, but they cause 
destruction to the property, increase feed and medical cost and overall discomfort to the cows 
housed in that facility.  
 In most dairy facilities a flood of various birds move in and out all throughout the year 
but generally stay during the winter months. At any given time you might find starlings, pigeons, 
and sparrows nesting in places like the rafters, cupulas, feed bunks, fresh bedding, manure pit 
and feed barn. Birds are very adaptive and resourceful animals. They are also great 
communicators and recruit other birds. 
Impact of Birds 
 Birds excrete urine and feces in one package in order to conserve water. Due to this fact, 
instead of secreting urea in urine, their feces contain uric acid. Uric Acid is a corrosive agent.  
   
 
 
 
 
 
1. John Gay, DVM PhD DACVPM 
 Epidemiologist, Field Disease 
 Investigation Unit (Washington state university) An Overview of 
 Biosecurity in Beef and 
 Dairy Herds 
2. Merck Vet manual  
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/integumentary_system/flies/pseudomyiasis.html 
  Pseudomyiasis    Last full review/revision July 2011 by Charles M. Hendrix, DVM, PhD 
3. CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases 
Vol. 3, No. 4, October–December 1997  
Pages 497-502  
Animal Diseases of Public 
Health Importance 
Gregory D. Orriss 
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy 
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/3/4/pdfs/97-0413.pdf  
 
4. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwdp/pdf/Carlson%20et%20al%202011.pdf  
Efficacy of European starling control to reduce 
Salmonella enterica contamination in a 
concentrated animal feeding operation in the 
Texas panhandle 


https://scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1090&context=honors

Biosecurity Risk Assessment of the Fairchild Dairy Nutrition Research Center

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

UNH Scholars' Repository

University of New Hampshire