New research has revealed that 97pc of Australian producers routinely take measures to ensure the quality of stock feed on their property.

Animal Health Australia’s manager disease risk mitigation, Duncan Rowland, says that producers may not realise that what they are doing is considered part of good farm biosecurity.

“Very simple, every day measures can greatly reduce the biosecurity risks and ensure that feed for livestock is fit for purpose,” Mr Rowland says.

“Producers have told us they are keeping their feed in clean and dry storage areas, securing storage areas from the entry of pests, discarding old or mouldy feed and only purchasing from reliable sources, and this is exactly what we want them to do.”

The results come from a nationwide survey of over 300 producers, property owners and managers conducted last month by Quantum Market Research.

The research was conducted as part of the joint Farm Biosecurity initiative of Plant Health Australia and Animal Health Australia and examined producer attitudes to biosecurity measures for protecting feed and water supplies on-farm.

Mr Rowland says: “If producers continue to implement these and other simple measures as part of their everyday routine, they will be minimising the risks to their livestock and livelihoods.

“Effective Farm Biosecurity is about securing your farm and securing your future and it makes good sense.

Information for producers on biosecurity risks and how to reduce them is at: www.farmbiosecurity.com.au

If you see anything unusual on your property, he says, call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 or the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

Survey highlights

Research was conducted by Quantum Market Research from a national sample of over 300 producers.

• 97% of producers surveyed routinely take measures to ensure the quality of their stock feed

o Keeping feed in clean, dry storage areas (91%)

o Keeping food stores covered at all times (80%)

o Only buying feed from quality, trustworthy sources (79%).

• 89% of producers surveyed felt that the quality of feed from their suppliers was high or very high.

• 70% of producers surveyed rated the importance of receiving Commodity Vendor Declarations* when purchasing feed as high or very high.

• 92% of producers surveyed check their property for weeds every month with 77% checking one or more times a week.