Read the latest information on
Foot-and-mouth disease
Turkey production is one of a number of new and emerging livestock industries that will benefit from tailored biosecurity resources and engagement
Whilst sheep, cattle, chickens and pigs are the bread and butter of Australia’s livestock production, there are a host of other unique livestock sectors across the country that contribute to the economy and require good on-farm biosecurity and emergency animal disease preparedness too.
Animal Health Australia (AHA) has teamed up with Charles Sturt University to develop biosecurity resources and emergency animal disease preparedness information for new and emerging livestock industries including emu, turkey, dairy sheep, buffalo, deer and harvesting industries including rangeland goats and kangaroos.
The project, which is being funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation commenced with research undertaken by the university and led by Senior Lecturer for Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, Marta Hernandez-Jover. Ms Hernandez-Jover reaffirmed that there was a need for better biosecurity information for these unique industries.
“Our research revealed that most new and emerging industries do want biosecurity information, but we need to provide a tailored approach to engaging with and developing materials for these producers,” Ms Hernandez-Jover said.
Animal Health Australia’s Executive Manager Biosecurity, Duncan Rowland, said Farm Biosecurity would be a great platform for new and emerging industries to get the information they need.
“It doesn’t matter whether you farm deer, sheep, pigs, camels, turkey or cattle; all livestock producers face similar biosecurity risks when it comes to stock, vehicles, feed, materials and people moving on and off your property or the risks inherent in everyday production practices”, Mr Rowland said.
“The difference lies in the unique nature of our new and emerging industries which are dotted sparsely across the country and in some cases face additional or unique risks that are yet to be fully realised.
“Farm Biosecurity is here to help. In the coming months we will develop resources and specific industry pages for some of the key industries identified in the report and I encourage subscribers of Farm Biosecurity News to let anyone they know who is involved in new and emerging industries to keep a close eye on the Farm Biosecurity website and subscribe to the newsletter,” Mr Rowland said.
