16th Farm Biosecurity News
Each edition examines one of our top five Farm Biosecurity risk areas. These issues directly relate to biosecurity risks on properties and provide you with helpful information relating to prevention and risk mitigation.
This edition focuses on the biosecurity risks associated with water, particulary during floods.
For additional information on Farm Biosecurity visit the Farm Biosecurity website at www.farmbiosecurity.com.au
Our farm biosecurity advice is designed to be simple, clear and easy to use. Please share these articles with your colleagues and members and feel free to use them in your own industry or member publications.
Farm biosecurity: the issues
Water woes
Weather extremes this year have seen many Australian producers face significant clean up operations following flooding. Whether severe or minor, flooding poses a significant biosecurity threat. It can cause soil erosion, chemical/fertiliser contamination, sediment deposits and can also change soil nutrient levels, all of which can impact productivity. Flooding can also increase the risk of:
• diseases that could impact your livestock or crops,
• new weeds being brought onto your property, and
• contaminated water sources.
Risks to your livestock
Water has the capacity to carry disease organisms, weed seeds, contaminated faecal matter, fertilisers and other chemicals that can pose a serious health concern for livestock and possible food safety issues when consuming the products coming from these animals.
For instance, cattle, sheep, goats, deer and alpacas can become infected with Johne's disease by eating pasture or drinking water contaminated with faeces carrying the bacteria.
There are additional risks associated with flood waters as the potential for water to pick up contaminants is increased. Large bodies of stagnant water, often seen before flood waters recede, are also breeding grounds for insects, which can act as vectors. Furthermore, livestock left in flood waters can become run down and susceptible to serious diseases.
Keeping livestock out of riparian zones and overland flow areas such as gullies, drains, seeps and wetlands will minimise any potential exposure to faecal matter, fertilizers and other chemicals in receding or pooling flood waters.
Risks to your crops
Prolonged soil saturation affects crop quality and yield. If flooding doesn't kill plants outright, it can still have a long-term negative impact on crop performance. Excess moisture during early growth stages retards root development, limiting crop productivity, placing plants under stress and making them more susceptible to pests and diseases, as well as less able to cope with dry summer conditions.
Flooding is an excellent mechanism for spreading disease, and crops under stress will be more susceptible. Excess moisture left behind following flooding also provides excellent conditions for the development of fungal diseases, such as stem and leaf rust, seedling blight, Fusarium and Phytophthora rots.
Carefully assess any flood damage to your crop and check with your state department of agriculture or local agronomist before deciding whether to replant or tear up the existing stand.
Weed Risks
Weed checks are a part of your every day farm biosecurity practice but you should be particularly alert for new weed problems after flooding. Flood waters can carry seeds over great distances and allow weeds to take hold in new areas. Some weeds will readily germinate and thrive in areas where crops have not developed a canopy and covered the soil. Others may remain dormant for many years before emerging. Pay particular attention to areas where water has pooled after the flooding.
Some general farm flood clean up points
• Open all drainage ditches to prevent pooling of water.
• Remove debris from fields and pastures. Look carefully for partially hidden objects that could injure livestock or damage machinery.
• Check tree lines and fence rows carefully to ensure they are still sound.
• Clean mud from vehicles before moving off the property or when travelling between sections of the property to help prevent the spread of any disease or weed seeds. This ensures that quarantined areas of your property are not contaminated and that production areas are protected.
• Encourage the growth of cover crops such as rye or wheat. Any type of plant growth is effective in drying waterlogged soils. Let weeds grow to assist this process but ensure you spray out before seed set.
• Biosecurity applies to human health as well. Be aware of the risks to the health of you and your family following a flood. You can get more information from your local council or from the Emergency Management Australia website (www.ema.gov.au).
Farm water supply biosecurity measures - part of your everyday practice
• Regularly inspect water sources and ensure they are secure from access by wild/feral animals.
• Keep water troughs high enough that they cannot be contaminated by animal faeces.
• Clean water troughs out regularly to prevent build up of contaminants.
• Cover water sources where possible to prevent faecal contamination by wild animals.
• Don't allow water to stagnate as it may attract insects and other pests that can spread disease.
• Regularly inspect any water storage tanks to ensure they have not been compromised by wild/feral animals.
If you see anything unusual on your property call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 or the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
SOURCES:
Emergency Management Australia (www.ema.gov.au).
North Dakota State University Extension Service (www.ag.ndsu.edu/disaster/flood.html)
At home and abroad
Australian Conferences
Biosecurity is a very important issue and there is an increasing interest in the impacts to agriculture. Two 2010 conferences of possible interest are currently calling for papers.
Global Biosecurity 2010: safeguarding agriculture and the environment
Biosecurity has become a major economic issue of concern to international governments and to agricultural and environmental industries. It has emerged as a relatively new field of concern for researchers across a range of disciplines, spanning both the traditional sciences (such as pathology) and the social sciences (including economics, risk analysis and risk communication), and carries a range of concerns that are unique to the area.
http://www.globalbiosecurity2010.com/
FMD 2010 Conference
An invitation to participate in the Foot and Mouth Disease International Symposium and Workshop from 12 - 14 April 2010 in Melbourne Australia
Australia has fortunately not suffered an outbreak of FMD since 1871. This freedom from disease provides the country with an important advantage for trade in live animals and animal products and access to premium markets in Asia, North America and Europe. However, like many FMD free countries, Australia is highly vulnerable to an outbreak of FMD, which would have massive socio-economic impacts, estimated in the worst case scenario to be in excess of AUD $13 billion. The country is investing in significant biosecurity measures to protect its industries from disease incursions and in a wide range of preparedness activities to ensure an effective response should the disease occur.
www.FMD2010.com.au
Members' forum
National Farm Biosecurity Manual - Poultry Production
The National Farm Biosecurity Manual - Poultry Production has officially been launched in Canberra. The plan was developed cooperatively by the Poultry Industry, Animal Health Australia and the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The National Farm Biosecurity Manual - Poultry Production and other industry biosecurity plans are available from the toolkit section of the Farm Biosecurity website, www.farmbiosecurity.com.au.
Australian Pork Industry fights flu
The Australian pork industry is moving to protect itself from the A/H1N1 influenza strain currently circulating Australia.
Influenza A/H1N1 continues to be a human health issue. It is important for Australian consumers to know that the Australian pig herd does not have this virus. The strain can, however, be transferred from people to pigs so biosecurity measures are in place and remain critical to ensuring the herd remains free from the disease.
"APL recommends that unnecessary visitors to a piggery should be discouraged. Piggery employees, especially those in close contact with the animals, should notify their manager or leading hand if any members of their family or any people they have frequent contact with are exhibiting flu or flu-like symptoms." (Australian Pork Limited - www.australianpork.com.au)
Stringent farm biosecurity remains critical. All producers should consider farm biosecurity measures as part of everyday practice.
Secure your farm: Secure your future
New information online
A new fact sheet on basic cleaning and disinfection has been uploaded to the toolkit section of the Farm Biosecurity website.
Farm Biosecurity Award
Nominations close on 10 July so don't miss out. AHA would like to see at least one nomination from each livestock industry group. Among the nominations and enquiries so far poultry, egg and feedlot producers have the highest representation. PHA is also encouraging plant producers from all sectors to nominate. Farm biosecurity is a critical part of everyday practice and this is our change to acknowledge those who recognise this.
Read all about it...
Nominate someone for an award!
The Farm Biosecurity Award is one of the five awards being presented in the inaugural Australian Rural & Outback Awards to recognise the incredible achievements of people and their communities across rural and remote Australia. ...
Australian Rural & Outback award nominations closing soon
There are just over 2 weeks until nominations close in this year's inaugural Australian Rural & Outback Awards
Rot a growing concern
With the right conditions, crown rot could be a big problem for Victoria's grain growers.
Rhizoctonia alert for NSW growers
4:00am | Rhizoctonia bare patch could be the main soil borne disease risk to cereal crops - particularly those sown late - this season according to the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
Banana growers' new tool to fight pest and disease
AUSTRALIAN banana growers now have access to a one-stop-shop for information on how to prevent and stop the spread of pests and diseases that threaten their farms and industry.
Govt, Nats argue over horse disease levy
Brisbane Times - Brisbane,Queensland,Australia
The question had to be asked why the government was abandoning Australia's animal population in the event of an exotic disease outbreak, he said. ...
Federal Government says it can't fund another horse flu battle
ABC Rural 04-Jun-09
The Federal Government says it can't afford to eradicate another outbreak of equine influenza.
Mutant bee a threat to Australian industry
ABC Rural 09-Jun-09
of research that could help beekeepers control a pest that is having a significant impact on their industry.
Around the world....
Scotland 'well placed to fight animal disease outbreaks'
Scotsman - United Kingdom
Cunningham said: "Animal health and welfare are devolved, so tell us what your members in the BVA need to improve it. You'll not always get it and we cannot ...
Britons asked for for view on possible £10.50 horse levy
Horsetalk - Canterbury,New Zealand
Defra is currently consulting the wider livestock industry on what it calls a new independent body for animal health - a modern governance and funding ...
Banana blight puts livelihoods at risk
The bacterial banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) disease will endanger the livelihoods of millions of East African farmers if left uncontrolled, according to specialists.
Novel influenza A/H1N1 pandemic: the OIE maintains its recommendations to animal health authorities worldwide
"A/H1N1 is indeed a public health issue for all worldwide but so far the role of animals has not been demonstrated in its epidemiology or spread. Thus, recommendations we made since the start of this crisis remain valid,"...
Please note: the above articles are a snapshot of biosecurity related media from the past month and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Animal Health Australia, Plant Health Australia or any of our members.
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* Disclaimer: The Farm Biosecurity News is a collection of articles published by the sources identified. Farm Biosecurity has collated and distributed these articles to update recipients on the latest scientific research and news and to promote consideration of the issues. Farm Biosecurity accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the information in the articles and cannot endorse the conclusions reached by researchers and/or the authors of these articles.