Heed the Seeds of Pests and Disease

Hay cutting and harvesting season has started and it’s crucial you understand the implications this has in relation to your farm. One of the common ways harmful pests, weeds and disease can be introduced on a farm is through hasty and improper cleaning procedures of people, vehicles, and equipment before entry or re-entry to the property.

Below are three areas to pay attention to and some protocols you can introduce for each.

People means anyone visiting your property including suppliers, vets, transporters, stock agents, consultants, itinerant workers, researchers and contractors. It also includes guests, and anyone who lives on the property. People can carry disease and/or pests onto your farm via their clothes, boots, hair, skin, and more.

Vehicles means any vehicle entering your property, from sedans through to tractors and transport trucks. These can carry harmful pests via plant material, soil or manure, which can be stuck on/in vehicle tyres, undercarriages, grills, floors and trays.

Equipment means storage containers, tools, feeding equipment, personal protective equipment, and any other items used on the farm. These items can pose a risk when not cleaned thoroughly before and/or after use.

To limit the risk of harmful seeds, pests, and disease being carried onto your property:

• limit entry points to access the property – ideally to one – so that all movements are recorded
• direct all visitors to a designated parking area with clear signage and, from there, to your visitor register where they can sign in
• all visitors to the property must ensure that their vehicles, equipment, boots and clothing are clean and free from pests, weed seeds and plant material
• establish or maintain an entry procedure that requires all visitors, vehicles, and equipment to be cleaned prior to entering production areas
• establish a high-pressure wash down facility away from livestock and crops to clean vehicles and equipment which need to enter production areas on the property (this wash down area should have a sump to collect any waste water)
• clean machinery from the top down and dismantle it as far as possible to gain access to internal spaces
• keep an up-to-date equipment and vehicle cleaning record
• any visitor who refuses to clean vehicles, equipment and boots, or cannot demonstrate that their clothing is clean should be refused entry
• limit visitor contact with livestock, crops or plant materials as much as possible and eliminate any unnecessary contact altogether
• ensure all your staff are familiar with the basic signs associated with a pest or disease outbreak and know how to report them
• maintain a robust waste disposal system.

No system is perfect, but following the steps above, as well as those listed in more detail at https://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/essentials-toolkit/people-vehicles-equipment/ will help you minimise pests, seeds, and disease being brought onto your farm.