BIOSECURITY - what does it really mean?

Definition - Managing risks to minimise disease transmission

• Alpacas are generally hardy but need to be raised and managed properly.
• Our farm practices are, and have always been, based on sound farming practices and scientific facts which are constantly reviewed. We work closely with our vets to ensure the highest herd health status possible.
• A closed herd is one where there are absolutely no animal movements onto the farm. This is not easy to do if you are offering herd sire services. Eg. a farm is not closed if an alpaca stud male is servicing visiting females and then breeds with the on-farm females.
• A closed herd does not mean you have been placed under restriction by AHVLA
• Bugs we are determined not to introduce into our herd are worms, mange mites, BVD, Johnes, bovine TB and any other nasties which may potentially cause disease.
• We have never been 'under restriction' to any diseases.

You have every right to ask about and look at;

• has the farm ever been under restriction for bTB and if so, were the animals blood tested ?
• how the alpacas are kept ie. stocking rates and management methods
• handling methods to minimise stress
• herd health records
• animal movements on and off the farm over the last 2 years
• preventative health care policies
• herd sire access and availability ie. where have they been?
• deaths and post mortem results
• anything else at all

Please don't bring disease with you and please don't take it home;

• wear clean outer clothes and wear washable footwear which can be easily disinfected or
• wear boots provided by us
• wash your hands before and after visiting chachangehave been well handled, remain stress free and are up to date with their preventative health care.

Why have we decided to restrict all movements?

Since June 2009 we have ensured our herd movements have been restricted which means that our animals have not had contact with other alpacas or any other livestock species reducing the risk of disease. We have also conducted risk assessments and surveys of our local wildlife populations. We will only show fleeces off the animals and there are no movements onto the farm. We have excellent, imported herd sires on site.

Drive by matings for our clients are completed in isolation of the main herd to ensure our clients continue to be supported as long as their own herd health status permits.

We believe that this is the best way forward at the present time. When buying alpacas, we recommend looking for breeders who demonstrate good biosecurity and run closed herds wherever possible. Not all are being responsible and some believe there is nothing to worry about. Bovine TB can be transmitted to alpacas and between alpacas. Cattle farmers have had to deal with this disease for many, many years but the skin test in cattle is much more accurate. They also have pre movement testing which is effective. The current 'skin test' available for use in camelids only detects about 10% of positive cases. Responsible breeders have decided not to show in halter classes and to minimise movements until an accurate antemortem (live animal) test has been developed. This is currently in progress and is very promising for the near future. The BAS is working very hard in funding this test and getting it validated as soon as possible.

To date there are less than 4% of herds affected by BTB

For more information about bovine TB go to www.alpacatb.org

Awareness and Knowledge Breeds Success