Agriculture and Agribusiness

Animal Health, Disease Control and Biosecurity

Most animal disease losses on a farm are not dramatic outbreaks; they are the steady drag of parasites, tick borne disease and calf mortality that the owner has come to regard as normal. This course targets that drag. Delegates work through the endemic diseases of the region and how each actually presents, including the ones that look like poor nutrition. Parasite control follows, covering internal parasites, dosing strategy and the anthelmintic resistance that widespread blanket dosing has created. Tick control is addressed, including dipping intervals, acaricide resistance and the endemic stability that makes total tick eradication a mistake in some herds. Vaccination programmes are covered, along with cold chain, timing and the reasons vaccines fail. Biosecurity is treated practically: introductions, quarantine, movement control and the fence line contact that spreads disease between neighbours. Notifiable diseases and reporting obligations are addressed. Medicine handling, withdrawal periods and residue risk are covered. The course closes on herd health planning and on working with a veterinarian.