Level II Agricultural Business Operations

This session will include

◦Biosecurity

◦Herd health planning

◦Safe use of veterinary medicines

Maintenance of herd health is

important because

◦Additional costs for treatments and losses

◦Reduced production efficiency

◦Reduced quality of marketable product

◦Consumer perception of animal welfare

Biosecurity is the prevention of disease causing agents entering or leaving any

place where they can pose a risk to farm animals, other animals, humans, or the safety and quality of a food product.

The same principles apply within the farm, preventing disease spreading between

animals and groups

Water

Stock

Animals

Weather

Feed

People

Vehicles

Visitors, without disinfection

Colostrum from one farm to another

Hoof trimmers dirty equipment

Vets with dirty equipment

Dead lorry - carcass disposal

Slurry contractors

Safeguards herd against disease reducing

stress on animals and farmer

Safeguards human health

Improves production efficiency by reducing

the spread of disease within farm

Stops the spread of disease to other farms

Protects export markets

Maintain a closed herd Pre-test and isolate purchased or sick animals Restrict visitor access Provide boot washing/disinfection facilities Use common sense when moving around

farm Restrict access to water courses/neighbouring

stockThe factors above should be included

in a Herd Health Plan

Measure - Identify disease

Manage - Prioritise improvements

Monitor - Assess progress

Advice - Seek professional advice

Produced in conjunction with vet

Documents routine procedures,

treatments and vaccinations

Sets and monitors targets against

mortality and disease incidence

Quality assurance scheme requirement

Should include

◦Routine preventative measures

◦Treatment plans

◦Management procedures

◦Health performance monitoring

◦Health performance review

◦Action plan calendar

Points for consideration

Routine husbandry treatments

Vaccinations

Parasite control

MonthRoutine

TreatmentsVaccinations Parasites

OctColostrum

Navel disinfectTissue tag

Cryptosporidia

Nov 1st Pneumonia Coccidiosis

Dec Disbudding 2nd Pneumonia

Jan

Feb

Mar1st Leptospirosis

1st Clostridial

Apr Turn out2nd Leptospirosis

2nd Clostridial

MonthRoutine

TreatmentsVaccinations Parasites

May2nd Leptospirosis

2nd ClostridialPulse bolus -

worms

June Fly treatment

July

Aug Fly treatment 1st BVD Liver fluke

Sept2nd BVD

Oct Freeze brandPneumonia

booster

Nov Service prep

Routes of Administration: Injection

◦Subcutaneous◦Intramuscular◦Intravenous (vet)◦Intranasal

Intramammary: Dry-cow tubes Topical: Pour-on, Spraying, Dipping Oral: Dosing, Bolus, In feed

Health and Safety◦ Protective equipment◦ Animal Restraining Equipment

Know weight of animal (to know dose rate)

Read instructions on label◦ Every medicine is different!

Correct medicine storage◦ Secure store/cabinet (or fridge where necessary)◦ Adhere to storage instructions

Clean equipment: Syringes/Needle(s)

1. Ensure coat is clean and dry2. Fold loose skin behind shoulder, hold syringe with

other hand 3. When animal is calm insert the needle at 45°,

squeeze the barrel slowly4. There should be no resistance5. Let the skin go flat, hold the insertion point with

your thumb and then gently remove the needle 6. Rub the injection site gently to disperse all the

medicine

1. Hold the needle in one hand 2. Prepare the skin around the injection site by

tapping it with the outside of your fist, on the 3rd tap, pierce the skin with the needle

3. Place the syringe on the needle and slowly inject the solution

4. To extract the needle hold the skin around it with your other hand and gently withdraw the needle

5. Rub the injection site gently to disperse all the medicine.

Antibiotics are essential for the treatment of infectious

diseases in both animals and humans

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria that are usually

sensitive to a type of antibiotic to become resistant to it

The more you use an antibiotic, the higher the risk that

bacteria will develop resistance to it

Why worry about it?

◦ Very few new antibiotics being developed

◦ Important we use our existing antibiotics wisely to ensure

these life-saving medicines continue to stay effective for

ourselves and our animals

http://www.dardni.gov.uk/responsible-use-of-antimicrobials-in-livestock-leaflet.15.108_responsible_use_of_antimicrobials_in_livestock_leaflet_final_2.pdf

Important we use antibiotics in the right way:

◦ the right medicine

◦ at the right dose

◦ at the right time

◦ the right duration to slow down the development

of antibiotic resistance

Legislative requirement to record;

◦ Purchase of veterinary medicines

◦ Administration of veterinary medicines

◦ Disposal of unused veterinary medicines

◦ Disease occurrences on farm

◦ Keep records for five years

Food Standards Agency

Farm Quality Assurance Scheme

Milk processors

Supermarkets

DARD Veterinary Service

DARD Agri-Food Inspection Branch

Locked medicine cabinet

Sharps container

Record book in cabinet

Sick calf, 40kg,

showing signs of

pneumonia

Isolate calf, dry straw

bed

Vet has suggested

treating with Hexasol LA

Initial intramuscular injection at 1ml/10kg lwt

2/10/14Hexasol La 100ml

3321-91

5/8/15 Andy Vet, 14 Practice Road, Mallusk. BT36 4TY

35days

HexasolLA

2/10/1

4 123456234-5 AF

2/10/1

4

6/11/1

435

4 ml

3321-91

AndyVet

Schemes designed to monitor, control and ultimately eradicate a specific disease within a herd:

- BVD- Johne’s Disease- IBR- Leptospirosis

Herds may achieve ‘accredited disease free’ status for specific disease

http://www.animalhealthni.com/

Biosecurity is vital for animal health

and well being

Herd health planning is essential

Veterinary medicine records required