BASF Professional & Specialty Solutions

Biosecurity in Livestock Farms

Biosecurity measures prevent or reduce the incidence of diseases and increase animal welfare and safety. Insects, rodents, and microorganisms can carry diseases which can be rapidly spread throughout the livestock holding. Reducing the incidence of such diseases with good practices of Integrated Pest Management, cleaning and disinfecting will have a positive effect on livestock health and welfare, and therefore contributes to increase livestock holdings productivity. Livestock farms must offer the best possible hygienic and environmental conditions for the animals to guarantee their sustainable development.

Cleaning and disinfection

Cleaning and disinfection tasks reduce the microbial load and prevent the spread of disease. These tasks must be correctly undertaken and adapted to the routine of the actual circumstances on the farm.

A cleaning protocol is essential, personnel training and choosing the correct products are key factors to have a successful implementation.

Main benefits of cleaning (with soap) and disinfection

Cost savings

Helps to reduce the use of medicine
Eliminates the possibility of contracting certain diseases

Economic gains

Increases productivity on farms

Reputation

Improves the image of the farms and integrating partners

Improves the image of the sector

^{Therefore, cleaning and disinfection on farms, in animal transport lorries and slaughterhouses is not an expense, but rather an investment that makes it possible to minimize losses and maximize profits.

Furthermore, it makes the sector a highly competitive exporter.}

Rodent control

Rodents are a major source of disease, often with late detection but very prevalent in most cases. Rodents can represent a real hygiene and health problem, as they can spread up to 200 pathogens and 45 diseases via their droppings, claws, fur, urine, saliva, and blood. The most common disease transmitted by rodents is Salmonella.

Livestock farms offer ideal conditions for rodents as they have food, water, and shelter. If a rodent infestation is not controlled, it can cause huge economic losses.

For more information about rodents click here

_{^{Main diseases transmitted by rodents}}

Insect control

Insects are also an important source of disease and stress for the animals sometimes undetected but very prevalent in most cases.

Insects harm and stress livestock and poultry by harassing and biting them. Restless behavior in cattle can reduce food intake or milk production, causing production losses. Pests routinely spread diseases among livestock populations. For instance, house flies transmit E. coli, Salmonella, and swine dysentery bacteria to pigs, among many other pathogens.

Cockroaches can spread a range of diseases, acting as both a reservoir and mechanical vector. Transmission of these diseases includes inhalation, digestion, and cross-contamination. Not only does this affect humans, but it also affects our animals. Meaning, you may want to start keeping a closer eye on your livestock. Some of the diseases and bacteria cockroaches spread include Sarcocystosis, Salmonella, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, and Listeriosis.

Insects are hugely important when it comes to health, as they are the vectors of countless pathogenic microorganisms. Thus, insect control must be done to ensure the hygiene and sanitation of the livestock holding and the animal welfare.

For more information about insects click here.

Impact/risks

Animal welfare

A rodent, small insect or microorganism can cause stress and disease spread which result on animal suffering as it disturbs physically and/or mentally the animals. There is a relationship between animal health and animal welfare. Consequently, it reduces animal productivity and product quality. The health of the livestock is crucial for a profitable business, but rodents, insects and microorganisms can put everything at risk.

Financial risk

The incidence of diseases always has a financial impact on the farm, whether directly or indirectly. A pathogenic microorganism (viruses, bacteria, fungi) that can be transmitted by an insect or rodent is enough to threaten the investment.

The cost of treatments or loss of production from infected animals is enormous. Biosecurity significantly reduces diseases among animals which directly affect the economic costs of the farm. Therefore, it is not a cost, it is an investment: every euro invested in biosecurity is recovered in the form of reduced costs and increased productivity.

Human health

Biosecurity also protects people since animal disease is also a threat to human health.

Zoonoses are diseases transmitted to humans through animal contact. Animals are infected by pathogenic microorganisms, which are often transmitted by insects and rodents. Therefore, disease control at farms not only concerns animal health, but also human health, affecting mainly farmers and veterinarians.

^{_{Main zoonoses transmitted by farm animals}}

Reduction of use of Antibiotics

Reducing the use of antibiotics is one of the major challenges of livestock holdings since they contribute to the loss of efficiency of such drugs. The European Union has embarked upon a program for reducing their use.

Biosecurity measures reduce the need to use antibiotics since they reduce the risk of diseases or slow down their spread. Thus, improved sanitation is always a starting point for reducing the use of antibiotics on livestock holdings.

Non-target animals

Poor management practices in pest control can harm non-target animals as birds, dogs, cats and livestock. The main goal should be controlling pests by not affecting the environment and wildlife in which the farm is located.

Thus, using the right products and practicing good pest control management is crucial to avoid harming non-target animals.

Click here to see the video "balance between rodent control and environmental protection"

Benefits to use BASF products

Highly effective solutions

Farmers and pest controllers operating on farms and agricultural businesses understand the specific challenges associated with the control of rodents and insects in agricultural settings. They know that they can rely on the proven efficacy of BASF control solutions to quickly target problem areas and avoid re-infestation.

Peace of mind

Farmers know that pest infestations can hit their bottom line and endanger food safety. By using BASF products they can be sure to benefit from the latest innovations in formulation and application for complete pest control.

Related Products

Rodenticides

Selontra^®

Rodenticides

Monitoring Paste

Rodenticides

Storm^® Ultra Secure

Information: Use biocide products carefully. Always read the label and product information before use.