Assisting cattle producers with farm biosecurity planning

Local Land Services are offering advice to assist livestock producers to be prepared for the new Johne’s Beef Assurance System (J-BAS) and changes to the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) system.

These both require producers to have a documented Farm Biosecurity Plan.

From October 1, producers will need to complete a Biosecurity Plan for accreditation under the Livestock Production Assurance program (LPA).

Accreditation with LPA is a crucial part of Australia’s red meat food safety system and is required for continued use of National Vendor Declarations (NVDs).

The need for a farm biosecurity plan is also a part of the new industry-driven approach to managing Bovine Johne’s Diseases in Australia.

Producers who opt to have a J-BAS score will need to have a farm biosecurity plan in place.

The JBAS is an important tool to help producers manage the risk of introducing Bovine Johne’s Disease into their herd.

They also need to communicate their herd’s status to buyers of their cattle.

As a third incentive, a farm biosecurity plan will also help producers fulfil their general biosecurity duty under the new biosecurity legislation that came into force recently.

Most producers already practice good farm biosecurity by selecting where they buy stock, drenching new stock on arrival and quarantining these animals in yards for a period of time.

These measures, along with other steps, are important biosecurity practices used by farmers as they recognise it makes sound farm business sense to prevent the entry of pests, disease and weeds onto their farm.

“This biosecurity approach now just needs to be put on paper in a plan,” said Dr Lyndell Stone, District Veterinarian with Hunter Local Land Services.”

Check with your Local Land Services for details about special biosecurity workshops being held across the state. 

“Producers will leave the information session with all the resources needed to complete their own farm biosecurity plan,” Dr Stone said.