Bio Security For Beef

L-5506
09-08
Biosecurity for Beef Cattle Operations

For beef cattle, biosecurity involves a system of manage- By Jason Cleere, Assistant Professor and Extension Beef Cattle Specialist
ment practices that prevent diseases from infecting a herd. Ron Gill, Professor and Extension Livestock Specialist
Although biosecurity is often associated with foreign animal Angela Dement, Extension Assistant, Veterinary Medicine
diseases, the term also applies to common diseases that affect The Texas A&M System
herds, such as blackleg and bovine viral diarrhea. Vaccines
can help prevent disease, but other management practices can
be even more important. By developing biosecurity protocols
that protect cattle from the common diseases, producers are
establishing a safety net against a possible outbreak of a for-
eign animal disease in the United States.
How Disease Is Spread

Disease spreads directly—from an infected animal to a sus-
ceptible animal—or indirectly, from an infected animal to an
object or equipment, and then to a susceptible animal. For ex-
ample, feeding a calf with a bottle that has not been properly
sterilized can be a way of indirect transmission.
Disease is transmitted in seven primary ways:
• Aerosol: Disease pathogens are carried in the air on mois-
ture droplets from sneezing or coughing.
• Direct contact: Disease pathogen contacts an open wound,
saliva, blood or mucous membranes, or is passed from nose
to nose, by rubbing and biting.
• Oral: Susceptible animals consume disease-causing
Improving Lives. Improving Texas.

pathogens in contaminated feed and water or lick or
chew contaminated objects.
• Reproductive: Disease pathogens are spread during
mating or gestation.
• Vehicles: Contaminated objects, such as needles, trail-
ers, trucks or clothing, transfer the disease-causing
pathogen from an infected animal to a susceptible
animal.
• Vector-borne: A living insect, animal or human carries
the disease from an infected animal to a susceptible
animal.
• Fomites: Diseases are transmitted through contami-
nated soil, water and food.
Immunity
Immunity allows the animal to resist a disease by pre-
venting the pathogen’s development or by counteracting
the effects of its toxins. Immune animals have antibodies,
which destroy a specific pathogen before it causes an ill-
ness. Immunity is natural, active or passive.
Natural immunity is provided by the body’s natural de-
fenses, such as the skin and nasal passages, which help When handling and working with vaccines:
keep disease pathogens out of the body. Some cells in the • Read the label and/or medication insert before vaccinat-
body also attack disease-causing foreign particles. Fetuses ing animals.
can acquire antibodies in utero through placental transfer. • Observe the expiration date and storage information.
Passive immunity comes through the transfer of anti- • Keep refrigerators at the proper temperature to main-
bodies from one animal to another, such as through tain vaccine effectiveness, usually between 36 degrees
colostrum in the mother’s milk shortly after birth. New- F and 46 degrees F.
borns must receive about 10 percent of their body weight • Protect vaccines from sunlight.
in colostrum within the first 24 hours after birth to en- • Give the right vaccine to the right species. If the label
sure some protection against diseases. indicates it is for use in swine, do not use it in cattle.
Active immunity is provided by protective vaccinations This extra-label use is illegal unless done under the su-
or by the body’s fight against an infection. Both modi- pervision and recommendation of a veterinarian.
fied-live and killed vaccines cause the body to produce • Give the proper dose in the appropriate area on the ani-
antibodies without actually acquiring the disease. Booster mal, using the recommended technique.
vaccinations may be necessary to maintain immunity. • Do not insert a used needle back into an open bottle.
Always use a sterile needle.
Vaccinations • Use a transfer needle or a sterile needle to reconstitute
Total disease prevention is not possible; therefore, any modified-live vaccines.
ranch biosecurity plan requires a sound vaccination pro- • Use boiling water, not chemical sterilants, to disinfect
gram that targets diseases the cattle may be exposed to. syringes.
Vaccines are only as effective as the animal’s immune • Mix only the quantity of modified-live vaccine that will
response; injecting cattle with vaccine does not guarantee be used within 1 hour.
the herd’s immunity. Factors such as nutritional, ship- • Dispose of the remaining opened vaccine properly after
ping, social and weather stress can decrease the level of completing the day’s inoculations because the vaccine
immune response. Minimizing animal stress will improve does not keep well once the bottle seal has been punc-
the disease protection within the herd. Handling and ad- tured.
ministering vaccines according to the manufacturer’s • Give booster vaccinations when the label requires it.
label is important in maintaining the integrity of vaccine • Keep a record of all vaccinations and treatments.
and providing protection against the targeted disease. • Follow withdrawal periods.
Consult a veterinarian to ensure proper timing and im- General Biosecurity Practices
plementation of a vaccination schedule. Even under ideal Consider these additional general management tips:
conditions, vaccinations are not 100 percent effective. • Disinfect reusable equipment, including tattooers, im-
Take extra care in handling and administering vaccines to plant guns, ear notchers, dehorners and castration
achieve the highest possible level of immunity. knives, between animals. Sterilize equipment that has
Evaluate the cost-benefit ratio of any biosecurity man- been used off the ranch before it is brought back to the
agement practices. Do the benefits outweigh the costs? ranch.
For example, if a weaned calf is worth about $550, the • Identify cattle and maintain current records.
loss of that calf can cost the ranch $550 in lost revenue. If • Watch cattle for adverse health symptoms or behavior;
a vaccination routine that costs $1.50 per animal, includ- sudden and unexplained deaths; large numbers of sick
ing new needles for each, is implemented on a 40-cow animals; unusual ticks or maggots; blisters around an
herd, the total cost for this biosecurity practice may be as animal’s nose, teats, mouth or hooves; difficulty rising
low as $60. If the result is one more calf, the net benefit and walking; a drop in milk production; and a large
is $490. number of dead insects, rodents or wildlife. Contact a
veterinarian immediately if these symptoms occur.
Procedures for Handling • Keep cattle away from exotic wildlife that may harbor
Incoming Cattle disease.
Almost every ranch eventually must add new breeding
animals to the operation. Some stocker or feedlot opera-
tions continuously add new cattle. These new cattle can
bring disease to the ranch. Minimize this risk by:
• Defining the level of disease risk for the new cattle. For
example, yearling virgin bulls from a purebred breeder
with a strict health protocol may be low risk, while
cows from an unknown source may be high risk.
• Isolating new animals from the rest of the herd for at
least 3 weeks, and possibly at a location off the ranch
• Watching the isolated animals closely for symptoms of
illness, such as elevated temperature and abnormal be-
havior
• Consulting a local veterinarian to determine which dis-
eases to test quarantined animals for
• Vaccinating cattle according to ranch protocols
Limiting Unauthorized Access to

Pastures and Cattle
Unauthorized visitors may introduce diseases to the
ranch, increase the risk of theft and cause liability issues. • Develop a carcass disposal plan.
To help prevent this: • Remove animals that are “reservoirs” for certain dis-
• Keep doors and gates locked at all times. eases such as Johne’s, trichomoniasis or bovine viral di-
• Post “No Trespassing” signs. arrhea. These animals continue to shed the pathogen
• Conduct random security checks and look for signs of and infect other animals.
unauthorized activity or entry. • Avoid fecal and urine contamination of feed and water
• Maintain good perimeter fences. sources.
• Know your neighbors and set up a crime watch • Control pest populations and limit access to feedstuffs.
program. • Create an emergency contact list of resource people
• Secure pesticides, fertilizers, feed and nutrients. within the community. Post copies near telephones and
• Secure water sources and identify alternative sources. on bulletin boards. Have employees enter these num-
bers into their cell phones.
Summary
Protecting cattle from disease is cost-effective. Ranch
biosecurity hinges on preventing the introduction of dis-
ease into the operation and developing adequate immu-
nity in the herd.
Produced by AgriLife Communications, The Texas A&M System

Extension publications can be found on the Web at: http://AgriLifebookstore.org.
Visit the Texas AgriLife Extension Service at http://AgriLifeExtension.tamu.edu.
Educational programs conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion,
handicap or national origin.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Edward G. Smith, Director, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, The Texas A&M System.
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L-5506

Biosecurity for Beef Cattle Operations

How Disease Is Spread

Improving Lives. Improving Texas.

Limiting Unauthorized Access to

Produced by AgriLife Communications, The Texas A&M System

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