Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Biosecurity Disease Prevention Welfare

Good biosecurity prevents infectious disease entry into cattle herds, protecting welfare through disease prevention rather than treatment.

Key Facts

BVD virus causes immunosuppression predisposing to other diseases in cattle herds
BVDV persistently infected animals are key disease reservoirs requiring identification and removal
Strict biosecurity at purchase includes testing, quarantine, and vaccination status verification
Farm biosecurity reduces disease burden and antibiotic use simultaneously
AI use reduces disease introduction risk compared to natural service bulls

Welfare Considerations

Biosecurity prevents the welfare harm of infectious disease - the pain, fever, weight loss, and mortality that disease causes. Prevention-focused approaches protect both welfare and productivity with lower antibiotic dependence.

What You Can Do

Implement quarantine periods for all purchased cattle before herd introduction
Test purchased cattle for BVD persistent infection status before entry
Work with a veterinary advisor to develop a farm-specific biosecurity plan