Agriculture Victoria animal health and welfare staff are providing hands-on help to pig owners to develop an on-farm biosecurity plan.
Implementing an effective biosecurity plan is the key to reducing risks to pig health, including emergency animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever.
These diseases are not present in Australia.
South east Senior Veterinary Officer, Dr Dianne Phillips, said a biosecurity plan helps pig owners to identify risks to the health of their pigs and the steps to take to reduce these risks.
Dr Phillips said a biosecurity plan is an important tool pig producers can use to reduce the risk of emergency animal diseases entering their property.
“A biosecurity plan should address the range of potential disease pathways and highlight areas to improve biosecurity,” she said.
Along with help developing a biosecurity plan, Agriculture Victoria staff will also undertake free worm testing for pig herds.
While the service is being targeted at people who have a small or medium-sized herd, or just a couple of pigs, the team is keen to hear from anyone with pigs, including commercial owners.
As part of the program, staff will visit the property to assist pig owners with setting up their biosecurity plan and undertake testing for roundworm and whipworm.
Results will be sent to the owner with information about treatments and how to manage worms.
These worms can cause illness and weight loss in pigs. Pigs are usually infected through other pigs or pig faeces such as off a dirty truck or livestock transport. Dirty gear, such as feeders from other pig properties, can also be a source of infection.
Dr Phillips said in large herds where pigs were going to slaughter the parasite was detected by the abattoirs.
“We’re focussing on smaller herds because they may not have the connection with the abattoir testing program,” she said.
The testing across the state will help Agriculture Victoria gather data about the extent of roundworm and whipworm in Victoria’s pig herds.
Agriculture Victoria is also providing support for producers impacted by floods and storms.
Farmers who need support should call the Agriculture Victoria Ag Recovery Team on 0427 694 185 or email recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
More information is also available at agriculture.vic.gov.au/floods
To obtain help with developing a biosecurity plan and take part in the free testing contact Dr Phillips at pigbiosecurity@agriculture.vic.gov.au
For more information about the program, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/pigs
