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New biosecurity recommendation flyers for sales or markets
We can all use a little more biosecurity in our daily tasks to safeguard the health of our livestock industry. One of the places livestock producers frequent is a sales barn, or auction, or market, regardless of the name it's a great place to keep biosecurity in mind because both the livestock and the producers can travel to it from all over the state and sometimes out of state.
By practicing biosecurity measures at the market, we actively lower the risk of disease transmission among our valuable animals. Each step taken to maintain a clean and safe environment not only protects individual livestock, it also protects the agricultural community. Please join us in our commitment to biosecurity and take some of these recommendations with you the next time you head to a sale.
Secure Milk Supply webinar on May 16
Join experts at the Board of Animal Health and Minnesota Department of Agriculture talking about the Secure Milk Supply Plan. The plan is designed to help producers prepare for a disease event and keep their animals and business healthy during an outbreak. The webinar is for dairy producers and others in the industry to learn what actions they can take to enhance their biosecurity and limit the risk of disease exposure to their herd during an outbreak.
The free webinar is hosted on Microsoft Teams and starts at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Join the meeting via this link at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 16.
Springtime tick awareness and prevention for animals
It's great weather for getting outside for everyone including people, pets, livestock, and ticks. Take a moment to think about tick awareness and prevention to keep animals safe and healthy.
Ticks can pose serious health risks to animals. In Minnesota, tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis are around, and the incidence tends to rise in the spring and summer months. Now is the time to keep an eye on your animals for any signs of tick infestation. Aside from seeing a tick on the animal, common indicators include excessive scratching, lethargy, fever, and inflammation around the bite site. If you suspect a tick bite, talk to your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Fortunately, there are several measures you can take to protect animals, and yourself, in advance:
- For pets, conduct regular tick checks after outdoor adventures. Thoroughly inspect your pet's fur for any ticks. Pay close attention to areas like the ears, neck, and between the toes, as ticks often prefer warm, hidden spots.
- Talk to your veterinarian about the right tick control product for your animal. Options include topical treatments or sprays, oral medications, and tick collars. These products can help repel ticks and kill them before they have a chance to bite.
- Discuss any appropriate vaccines with your veterinarian to protect your animals from certain diseases. For example, did you know you can get your dog vaccinated for Lyme disease?
Don't overlook the potential dangers posed by ticks. Remember, when it comes to ticks, prevention is always better than treatment. Stay tick-free this spring. Learn about what else you can do to protect livestock from ticks on our website.
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