Best Management Practices for Farm Personnel and Visitors

Vehicles and Equipment

  • Arrive with clean and disinfected equipment and vehicle(s).
  • Farms should designate parking areas for visitors that are away from livestock areas and close to the farm’s perimeter as possible.
  • Avoid driving vehicle(s) through mud, manure or feedbunks on the farm premise.
  • Clean and disinfect before or after leaving farm premise and before entrance to next farm.

Personnel/Visitors

  • Insist on clean footwear and clothing prior to entering farm or provide disposable boots and coveralls.  Footwear should have a smooth non-porous surface for easy cleaning and disinfecting.

  • Have disposable, plastic boots on hand for those visitors that do not have footwear that can be disinfected.

  • Avoid animal contact completely if possible and minimize access to only necessary portions of the farm. Conversations and interactions should be held away from animal housing and management areas.

  • Use good hygiene to prevent movement of manure around the farm. Do not walk in manure and feedbunks (especially if footwear has become soiled).

  • Provide brushes, disinfectant, and boot wash areas or change disposable boots.

  • In general, start with youngstock and move toward adults to prevent contamination of youngstock areas with adult manure; however, any manure movement between groups should be minimized. Handle sick animals last if possible. If not possible, minimize exposure to healthy animals by cleaning clothing, boots, and equipment.

  • Communication of farm biosecurity and biocontainment procedures to visitors is basic to their success.

To create a disease prevention herd plan, consider enrolling in the NYS Cattle Health Assurance Program (NYSCHAP).