45 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | August 2024 CABEF is a registered charity (#828593731RR0001). For more information on all registered charities in Canada under the Income Tax Act, please visit Canada Revenue Agency www.cra-arc.gc.ca/charities. Contact CABEF today to learn how you can become a “Champion of CABEF” at info@cabef.org Congratulations to this year’s CABEF scholarship recipients. @CABEFscholarship cabef.org Meet the next generation of Canadian agri-food leaders These exceptional students are the winners of the 2024 CABEF Scholarships. We are proud to support each of them with $2,500 for their ag-related post-secondary education. Help us empower more students to pursue diverse careers in agri-food. Strengthen the future of Canadian agriculture and food by investing in the cream of the crop. Become a Champion of CABEF and directly support a scholarship for a Canadian student. Brooke-Lynn Finnerty Sturgeon County, AB Faryal Yousaf Brandon, MB Allison Goodyear Ottawa, ON Emma Bishop Round Hill, NS Emma Pflanz Vancouver, BC Mary Lee McNeil Alameda, SK Livestock has livestock and if those livestock have the same type of diseases, how recently they’ve been around livestock, and how many livestock from different farms they’ve handled. It’s also important to consider if they live nearby or if they’ve recently travelled internationally. These factors will influence which potential pathogens the visitor could be bringing, and how great the pathogen load may be. “Let them know your biosecurity protocols so they are ready to take them on when they come, or you can help them out. For example, if they should wear different boots, you can offer a pair you use on your own operation,” says Cross. “Ideally, they come with clean boots and clothes or use a boot dip or plastic boots. When they do come, keep a visitor log and mark who visited and when. It’s often a neighbour and we’ll have contact info, but if it’s a new person, get their information and also keep track of where they went within the farm.” Visitors should only go to necessary areas of the farm and should minimize contact with animals. “After the visit, monitor for disease on both your own and your visitor’s operation and stay in touch to let visitors know if they might be affected by something,” says Cross. Away from home Sometimes farmers will be the visitor to other farms. They may also choose to attend industry meetings, join group tours, or visit their neighbours. How can they avoid bringing back diseases from their time away from the farm? “We like to say, ‘Be neighbourly.’ Treat other operations how you want to be treated,” says Cross. “Use the same practices you want used on your farm at least, but also apply any additional standards they might have. Wear clean boots and clothes, try to minimize contact with livestock, access only the necessary facilities, and stay only in areas that you have to go.” Schlegel says that poultry producers should avoid exposure to small flocks. “Commercial poultry producers should avoid small flocks like chicken swap meets and shows. Their employees should also have limited contact with other poultry,” explains Schlegel. “In terms of visiting other operations, producers should get down time between their barn and others, wash their vehicle, and wear a different set of clothes. It’s all common sense stuff.” Biosecurity has a place on every farm and should be thought about often. The easiest way to avoid spreading disease is to make sure it never has an opportunity to enter the farm. “Biosecurity is a fundamental part of running an operation,” says Schlegel. “If producers have questions, it would be helpful for them to discuss the topic with their vet.” BF
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