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Biosecurity practices important with cattle as HPAI continues

Missouri’s state veterinarian says not every dairy state has confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in cattle and farmers should be implementing stricter biosecurity to prevent any spread of the virus.

Dr. Steve Strubberg says biosecurity on a dairy farm looks different than a poultry farm.

“Especially when you’re talking about the incursion from wild birds. Most poultry barns don’t allow wild birds into those facilities, but when cattle are on pasture or in large barns, it’s hard to keep birds out.”

He says to limit the spread of HPAI in dairy cattle, farmers should provide fresh, clean bedding to cattle, rotate new grazing pastures each day and follow proper milking procedures. And if you’re bringing new dairy cattle to the farm from another state…

“It’s certainly recommended to keep cattle quarantined or isolated and observed from 2 to 4 weeks to make sure they remain healthy and they don’t expose your resident cattle to a new pathogen.”

Strubberg says cattle movement restrictions haven’t been updated in Missouri, because existing protocols require proper documentation.

The Livestock Marketing Association says cattle movement restrictions are in place due to HPAI in cattle at least 17 states including Arkansas, Kentucky, Nebraska and Tennessee.