Biosecurity Best Practices Distinguish Youth Stockman

 

High profile Foreign Animal Disease threats are increasing the challenges of biosecurity best practices in youth livestock growers and producers. Best management practices that were once conducted behind the scenes on the farm are now an integral part of management where livestock are exhibited or sold at public facilities. Youth who display biosecurity best management practices are garnering recognition as distinguished stockman and learning skills that build social responsibility and leadership.

 

Preparedness is paramount to disease prevention. The Penn State Extension and Pennsylvania 4-H mantra, “Be WISE, Be Biosecure," provides a framework for biosecurity best management practices. The Be W.I.S.E. (Watch, Isolate, Sanitize, and Educate) livestock biosecurity tip sheet provides a rubric with benchmarks. Recently, the biosecurity mantra has become the theme for an online engagement activity through a Biosecurity Challenge on FlipGrid.com. Youth display how they make continuous improvements toward exemplary biosecurity standards. Livestock breeders, industry professionals and government officials are taking note of youth who do their part to safeguard the livestock production industry through wise biosecurity practices.

 

“Biosecurity is not just about protecting your assets and your future,” Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Yes, good biosecurity protects your animals from diseases that can wipe them out, along with all the time, money and energy you’ve invested in them. Biosecurity is also the foundation for food safety. The safety of the food on all our tables begins on the farm. It begins with you.”

 

The virulent nature of many pathogens has prompted livestock handlers to take extra precautions when it comes to biosecurity measures. The main goal is to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Teaching youth to recognize visible characteristics of animals in various stages of disease, emphasizing the youth’s role and responsibility for preventing spread of a pathogens at public events, preserving food security and safety, and improving practical measures in their daily routine are all vital to a good biosecurity plan and implementation.

 

Penn State Extension and the Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence are looking to reward the young leaders who learn about and practice biosecurity at home and at the show through the Biosecurity Challenge. Youth exhibitors who log onto the Biosecurity Challenge on Flipgrid can watch videos to learn about pathogen spread and the Be W.I.S.E biosecurity principles that keep disease spread at bay. Youth are then challenged to show us how they practice the Be W.I.S.E principles with their own stock. Each short video (30 s to 2 minutes) entered gets them a chance to win either a pair of Twisted X Bombers or a biosecurity kit. If they enter a video under all 5 topics, that is 5 chances to win! This is just one way that youth can show off their skills and leadership in our current virtual environment.

 

For youth, rearing stock and practicing all the responsibilities that go with keeping stock healthy, goes a long way to improving our food supply, and building the leaders of tomorrow. Showcasing their knowledge on biosecurity is just one more way for youth to be distinguished from their peers for their hard work in food production, food safety, and food security.