Best Management Practices for Farm Personnel and Visitors
Vehicles and Equipment
- Arrive with clean and disinfected equipment and vehicle(s).
- Farms should designate parking areas for visitors that are away from livestock areas and close to the farm’s perimeter as possible.
- Avoid driving vehicle(s) through mud, manure or feedbunks on the farm premise.
- Clean and disinfect before or after leaving farm premise and before entrance to next farm.
Personnel/Visitors
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Insist on clean footwear and clothing prior to entering farm or provide disposable boots and coveralls. Footwear should have a smooth non-porous surface for easy cleaning and disinfecting.
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Have disposable, plastic boots on hand for those visitors that do not have footwear that can be disinfected.
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Avoid animal contact completely if possible and minimize access to only necessary portions of the farm. Conversations and interactions should be held away from animal housing and management areas.
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Use good hygiene to prevent movement of manure around the farm. Do not walk in manure and feedbunks (especially if footwear has become soiled).
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Provide brushes, disinfectant, and boot wash areas or change disposable boots.
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In general, start with youngstock and move toward adults to prevent contamination of youngstock areas with adult manure; however, any manure movement between groups should be minimized. Handle sick animals last if possible. If not possible, minimize exposure to healthy animals by cleaning clothing, boots, and equipment.
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Communication of farm biosecurity and biocontainment procedures to visitors is basic to their success.
To create a disease prevention herd plan, consider enrolling in the NYS Cattle Health Assurance Program (NYSCHAP).