Protecting your farm

On-farm biosecurity involves protecting your animals against pests, diseases and chemical residues, and caring for animals and the environment.

Assessing the risks and planning to control them can improve your business's profitability and contribute to your local community's economic health.

If you suspect a reportable animal pest or disease on your farm, report it to Biosecurity Queensland immediately.

Major risks

Introducing new animals

New animals are the most likely way to introduce disease into your stock, whether they are bought-in replacements or stray, feral or wild animals. An important first step in on-farm biosecurity is to ensure that boundary fences are stock-proof to prevent stray animals entering and property livestock leaving. Having a closed property substantially reduces risk.

If you need to introduce new animals, consider:

• using embryo transfer or artificial insemination for breeding
• purchasing new livestock from a known and reliable disease-free source
• quarantining all newly introduced livestock
• seeking written assurances about the health status of the animals to be introduced.

Water and food

Water and food can also bring pests and diseases onto the farm. To reduce risks:

• assess water sources for diseases, chemicals or algal bloom
• assess feedstuffs for contamination from weeds, seeds and chemical residues
• know where hay, straw and grain is coming from, and obtain a vendor declaration.

Visitors

Visitors can bring pests and diseases onto your farm. Visitors include neighbours, agents, salespeople, advisers, shooters, fishers, agronomists, pest scouts and veterinarians.

To reduce biosecurity risks from visitors:

• place a sign at the front gate advising visitors to report to your house or office rather than driving over the farm looking for you
• ask your visitors questions about where they have been recently so you can assess any risk
• drive visitors around the farm in your farm vehicle
• keep a record of the names and dates of every visitor to your farm
• provide protective clothing, footwear and disinfectant for visitors inspecting your plants or animals.

Also consider...

• Learn more about using agricultural and veterinary chemicals safely.
• Contact our Customer Service Centre.
• Read more about replacing rams on your property.