Herd Expansion Biosecurity Risk Guide

Source of Cattle

Low Risk

  1. From your own herd; or
  2. You have inspection of cattle; or
  3. From a single herd with known history that is practicing biosecurity and disease testing (i.e. NYSCHAP).

Medium Risk

  1. From a single herd, but with no history that is not practicing biosecurity, and there is no inspection of cattle; or
  2. From Heifer Facility with a known history that is practicing biosecurity (i.e. NYSCHAP).

High Risk

  1. Unknown history of assembled cattle; or
  2. No inspection of cattle; or
  3. Heifer facility with no history that is not practicing biosecurity, and there is no inspection of cattle

Vaccination

Low Risk

  1. Vaccinate 4-6 weeks and 2-3 weeks prior to transport;
  2. Known vaccination history with recent booster; and
  3. Booster resident herd.

High Risk

  1. No vaccination prior to transport; or
  2. Improper vaccination – timing, handling and/or administration of vaccine; or
  3. Vaccination given too close to time of transport.

Disease Testing

Low Risk

  1. Known test history of herd of origin; and
  2. Three bulk tank cultures prior to purchase and culture all new animals at freshening to identify contagious mastitis; and
  3. Pre-purchase BVD-PI with calf PI check; and
  4. Known Johne’s test history – no clinical history, a Johne’s disease farm plan in place (i.e. NYSCHAP); and
  5. Test negative for BLV with management practices in place; and
  6. Bulk tank testing for Salmonella dublin with individual blood or milk test of purchased animals or four bulk tank tests on a quarterly basis over the past year of herd of origin.

Medium Risk

  1. One bulk tank culture; and
  2. Pre-purchase screeding on dam, but no test on calf for BVD-PI; and
  3. Known positive testing history of Johne’s with Johne’s farm plan in place (i.e. NYSCHAP); and
  4. No BLV testing, management practices in place; and
  5. Only one bulk tank test for Salmonella dublin.

High Risk

  1. No known test history; and
  2. No bulk tank culture; and
  3. No pre-purchase BVD-PI testing; and
  4. No test history of Johne’s Disease, possible clinical history, poor hygiene in maternity pen and calf area; and
  5. No testing for BLV with no management practices in place; and
  6. No testing for Salmonella dublin.

Animal Transport

Low Risk

  1. Use own vehicle which is clean and disinfected; or
  2. Use a common carrier which is clean and disinfected;
  3. A short transit time;
  4. Adequate care with longer haul.

Medium Risk

  1. Use own vehicle that is not cleaned or disinfected; or
  2. Use common carrier that is cleaned, but not disinfected.

High Risk

  1. Dirty common carriers; or
  2. Long transport with inadequate care.

Farm Animal and Post Arrival

Low Risk

  1. Complete segregation from resident herd;
  2. Rumen health ration with nutritionist consultation;
  3. Identify and plan for staff to monitor new additions and resident herd.

Medium Risk

  1. Limited contact with resident herd;
  2. Segregations of new additions with no monitoring.

High Risk

  1. Integration with resident herd;
  2. Rumen acidosis which predisposes cattle to infectious disease;
  3. Lack of monitoring for early signs of illness within resident and added cattle.