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Livestock producers will learn disease outbreak management at free events in March.

February 8, 2019

2 Min Read
biosecurity sign and steer
WARNING: Posting a sign is one way to minimize the risk of a disease outbreak on the farm. Livestock producers can learn more about the potential threats to their operation and proper response during meetings this spring. Modfos/Getty Images

Livestock producers from across Missouri will learn how to prevent as well as respond to a disease outbreak through a series of free biosecurity workshops.

University of Missouri representatives along with national and state government specialists are teaming up to provide information on emerging livestock diseases and how to manage them.

Attendees will learn about foot-and-mouth disease and the spread of African swine fever in China, says Teng Lim, MU Extension agricultural engineering specialist. While agricultural officials have not documented any cases of ASF in the U.S., the disease spreads quickly from pig to pig through direct secretions, contaminated objects and ticks. No vaccine exists to control the disease, which does not affect humans.

The workshops are designed to help beef, dairy and hog producers and veterinarians, Lim says, and will take place in March.

Attendees will benefit from reviews of biosecurity protocols and the experience of speakers on a range of topics, including quarantine, mass mortality management, indemnity and economics.

Speakers include representatives from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Agriculture, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and MU. They will discuss protocols to prevent and control disease, regulations, written biosecurity plans, how to train employees, and what to do when there is an outbreak.

The workshop runs 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at these locations:

March 6. Hunter Civic Center, Versailles

March 8. Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield

March 13. MU Extension Center in Cape Girardeau County, Jackson

March 15. Missouri Department of Conservation Northeast Regional Office, Kirksville

March 18. Missouri Western State University, Leah Spratt Hall, St. Joseph

Register before Feb. 27 to receive lunch, workshop materials and a free USB flash drive with biosecurity information.

For information, contact Kristi Perry at [email protected]. There is a downloadable registration form available.

Source: The University of Missouri Extension, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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