By Andi Anderson
The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program is making it easier for dairy farmers to protect their cows from diseases. They've launched FARM Biosecurity – Enhanced, which provides online tools to help farmers keep their cows healthy.
What's Included in FARM Biosecurity – Enhanced:
- Online Tools: These tools let dairy farmers create and save their disease protection plans online. This way, they can easily access and manage their plans.
- Online Training: Farmers can learn how to make effective disease protection plans through online training. This training gives them the knowledge and tools they need to keep their cows safe.
To help farmers use these tools effectively, the FARM Program has also created two guides: the FARM Biosecurity – Enhanced Biosecurity Prep Guide and the Database User Guide. These guides offer valuable advice and instructions.
One of the main reasons for this initiative is to protect cows from highly contagious diseases like foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). FMD is a serious disease that affects cows in many parts of the world. If even one case of FMD is found in the United States, it could stop cows and cow products from moving around the country for at least 72 hours.
FARM Biosecurity – Enhanced also includes parts of the Secure Milk Supply Plan for Continuity of Business. This plan helps the dairy industry get ready for an FMD outbreak. The program's online database keeps disease protection plans safe and, with the farmer's permission, shares them with state animal health officials. This can speed up the process of giving permits to move cows during an FMD outbreak.
The FARM Biosecurity program has two parts:
- Everyday Disease Protection: This part helps with common disease threats.
- Extra Disease Protection: This part helps with very contagious diseases from other countries.
- These tools aim to keep cows healthy, make the dairy industry stronger, and help businesses continue to grow.
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the National Dairy FARM Program want to thank the United States Department of Agriculture National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (USDA NADPRP) for helping fund this important disease protection initiative. They also want to recognize Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle from Preventalytics for her key role in creating the FARM Biosecurity tools.
To learn more about the FARM Program, get templates for disease protection, and find training help, visit https://nationaldairyfarm.com/
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ahavelaar
Categories: Ohio, Livestock, Dairy Cattle