Get started today:
- Farm Biosecurity- Dairy Cattle has templates, checklists, planners and signs available
- AHA offers on-farm biosecurity tools and information.
- BIOCHECK® helps farmers create vet-supported biosecurity plans
- One Biosecurity tool (SA Farmers only) lets farmers build, store & share plans via PIRSA
Footbaths are a simple and effective tool to help reduce the risk of bringing disease onto your farm from contaminated footwear but must be part of a whole-farm biosecurity plan and used correctly. When setting up a footbath, use an APVMA-approved disinfectant at the correct concentration, refresh the solution regularly, and provide dedicated on-site clothing and footwear for staff and visitors for added biosecurity.
Footbaths alone won’t stop disease, but they’re a strong first step. For more information, setup guides, approved disinfectants, and how-to videos visit Dairy Australia's footbath guide
Biosecurity and Market Access for Dairy Farmers
Good biosecurity is essential not just for protecting herd health, it also plays a key role in maintaining access to premium markets and meeting industry standards.
- Improve Traceability
Dairy farms must track animal health, movements, and treatments as part of milk quality assurance. A well-documented biosecurity plan supports this, making it easier to respond to disease outbreaks or meet audit requirements. - Builds Consumer & Processor Confidence
Consumers and dairy processors expect milk to be safe, high quality, and produced to high welfare and hygiene standards. Demonstrating strong biosecurity helps build trust in your milk supply, from farm gate to supermarket shelf. - Meet Industry Assurance Standards
Many on-farm programs require documented biosecurity practices to maintain market access, including:- Dairy National Vendor Declarations (NVDs): Legal documents which communicate the food safety and treatment status of every animal as it moves through the supply chain.
- Livestock Production Assurance (LPA): An on-farm assurance program that underpins food safety, biosecurity and market access for Australian red meat. LPA National Vendor Declarations (NVDs) provide evidence of livestock history and on-farm practices when moving livestock through the supply chain.
- Dairy Quality Assurance (Dairy QA): A voluntary LPA module. As dairy cattle are part of the red meat supply chain, dairy farmers are encouraged to maintain LPA accreditation. Dairy producers who operate under a dairy processor quality assurance program can opt into the Dairy QA module to streamline audit requirements and simplify processes.
- Dairy ManaJD program: Management of Johne’s disease (BJD) in the South Australian dairy industry to improve on farm productivity, trade access and product quality through a quality management approach.
By investing in biosecurity, dairy farmers reduce the risk of disease, support long-term productivity, and protect their access to domestic and export markets.
Further Resources
- Farm Biosecurity Action Planner
- Farm Biosecurity Planner and templates
- Visit Dairy Australia for further information and resources on animal health, welfare and biosecurity (Click here)
Zoonotic Diseases in Dairy Farming
Certain diseases in cattle can be transmitted to humans (zoonoses), posing risks to farm workers, veterinarians, and others in close contact with livestock. Implementing a strong biosecurity plan helps prevent the spread of these diseases, protects herd and human health, and supports market access and food safety.
Below is a table listing key zoonotic diseases found in cattle, including their modes of transmission.
Disease | Description | How it spreads to humans |
Leptospirosis | Infection caused by the bacterium Leptospira, mostly L. hardjobovis and L. Pomona that colonises the kidneys and reproductive tracts in females, causing production loss in mature cattle. Outbreaks are severe in calves and may cause death if not addressed. | Urine contamination with skin or mucosal surface |
Q fever | A bacterial infection caused by Coxiella burnetii, shed in milk, urine, and faeces, and can cause anorexia and late abortion. This is a notifiable disease. | Inhalation of aerosols and dust |
Campylobacteriosis | Infectious venereal disease by Campylobacter fetus causing major reproductive loss through infertility and abortion. The bacteria are spread by infected bulls to susceptible cows and heifers through mating. | Ingestion of contaminated food or water |
Milkers nodule | Painful skin infection caused by paravaccinia virus, a parapoxvirus that causes udder lesions in cow, as well as ulcers in the mouths of calves. Secondary bacterial infection may occur. | Handling teats of cows or mouths of calves |
Brucellosis | A highly infectious diseas caused by the bacteria Brucella abortus, causing abortion, birth of stillborn or weak calves, retained placenta, and reduced milk production. This is a notifiable disease. | From aborted foetus, faeces, raw flesh or bacteria in unpasteurised dairy products penetrates skin conjunctiva respiratory or gut Initially dark papule that heals spontaneously |
Tuberculosis | A chronic, contagious, and zoonotic disease caused primarily by the bacteria Mycobacterium bovis. | Eradicated from Australia |
Cryptosporidiosis | A highly prevalent gastrointestinal parasitic disease caused by a protozoan. Characterized by mild to severe diarrhea, lethargy, and poor growth rates in neonatal ruminants | Faeco–oral route |
Yersiniosis | Flood Mud Scours or Yersiniosis can cause a severe diarrhoea and death in cattle. It is often seen in winter and early spring in cattle grazing wet, waterlogged or recently flooded pastures. Often several cases are seen over a short period on properties when conditions are favourable for the bacteria. | Faeco–oral route |
Salmonella | An infectious disease caused by Salmonella spp in animals and humans. A significant foodborne pathogen, salmonellosis has different manifestations in cattle that range from asymptomatic to severe. | Faeco–oral route |
Listeriosis | sporadic bacterial infection that most commonly manifests as encephalitis or meningoencephalitis in adult ruminants. It occurs worldwide, more commonly in colder climates, and has high mortality in cattle without early treatment. | Foodborne disease, especially chilled foods |
Ringworm | Circular, hairless skin lesion caused by a fungal infection Trichophyton verrucosum. Moist and reddened skin initially, then dry, scaly, and grey. | Direct contact with skin or from cattle handling equipment |
Anthrax | A bacterial disease with outbreaks causing sudden livestock deaths, affecting trade. Spores can survive in soil for year. This is a notifiable disease | Respiratory, ingestion or local through break in skin |
Additional Resources
Provides further information on symptoms, treatment options in cattle, and protecting human health.
An emergency animal disease (EAD) is a disease of animals considered to be of national significance because of the impacts it may have on animal health, human health, the environment or the economy. They may have serious social or trade implications.
EADs include exotic diseases, diseases that emerge within Australia and diseases that occur sporadically in Australia, but occasionally occur as a serious epidemic.
As seen in the UK FMD story, an EAD outbreak can result in the loss of large numbers of animals, with widespread economic, social and environmental impacts.
Biosecurity refers to the procedures or measures designed to protect a country, state or individual farming property from the entry and spread of unwanted animals, pests, diseases and weeds.
Note the different responsibilities for the prevention and control of EADs:
- The Australian government coordinates national animal health policy and is responsible for quarantine and international animal health matters, including export certification and trade negotiations.
- Each of the states and territories have their own legislation regarding the control and eradication of animal diseases within their borders, including movement controls and compensation payments.
- Livestock industries have responsibilities to prevent the entry and spread of EADs by having biosecurity plans in place, reporting any suspected EAD, and contributing to the control of EADs if they occur, including having trained personnel for EAD responses.