Boosting your on-farm biosecurity
Biosecurity has been a hot topic in the media recently, and it’s a timely reminder to take measures to avoid transmiting viral or fungal diseases, or pest plants and insects, onto your property. Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu has put together some useful information to help you be prepared this spring.
For those with livestock, you are no doubt aware of the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease overseas. New livestock diseases have the potential to cost Australia and its industries big dollars, and it’s not just livestock diseases that we need to be vigilant against.
Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Officer, Will Hannaford, explains that the region is susceptible to a number of biosecurity threats that can often be avoided by implementing a few hygiene measures into your routine.
“Plant diseases, such as phytophthora root rot, can have devastating effects on native plants. Others, such as phylloxera, an aphid like insect, is a significant biosecurity threat to vineyards in South Australia. Besides viruses and insects, another big biosecurity issue to be aware of is the translocation of weed seeds,” he said.
So what can you do to prevent transmitting pests and diseases onto your property?
“We recommend three fairly simple ways that you can protect your property from biosecurity threats.”
Footbaths
Footbaths are an excellent way to sanitise the footwear of anyone that enters the sensitive areas of your property such as paddocks, yards, native bushland, orchards or vineyards. They are a quick way to sanitise footwear of a group of people.
Sanitisation kit
These kits can be made up from items bought in the supermarket – a scrubbing brush, detergent, disinfectant, and small spray bottle. Carry the kits in your vehicle and be proactive about sanitising your clothing, footwear and equipment when you travel to other properties
Remember, disinfection is a two-step process, you need to wash in detergent first, then disinfect.
Small pressure spray packs
A dedicated 3-litre pressure spray pack is really handy to spray vehicle tyres that need to enter the sensitive areas of your property. Wash off any dirt before applying disinfectant.
“Our website has a page dedicated to linking landholders to further resources that will help them become more vigilant on their own properties, or when visiting others. Being more hygienic when it comes to biosecurity can help safeguard areas of native or remnant vegetation, which can have immeasurable impacts on regional biodiversity. It can also protect your farm’s productivity,” said Mr Hannaford.
Share why it is important
Talk to your contractors, friends and people coming to your property about why it is important to keep diseases, insects and weeds out of your property. Most people quickly understand the value of biosecurity to food production and biodiversity and are happy to use the simple measures you have put in place.
For more details about the steps listed in this article, or for links to further information regarding biosecurity and animal or crop health click here, or speak to our team on 8391 7500
