Healthy Agriculture

The Hub for Biosecurity to Protect the Herd and Flock

Farm biosecurity is the practice of preventing or greatly reducing the introduction of diseases and pests, and is a whole farm approach for assessing, prioritizing and addressing the risks to herd/flock health.

Use this website as a guide and source of current information on how to make biosecurity a routine on the farm, in the backyard, and anywhere farm animals are raised.

What are the risks? Risk can be categorized by source of possible infection (other livestock, visitors, wildlife); area of the farm (maternity pens, facilities for newborns and young stock, feed storage areas); susceptibility of animals (baby calves, young stock and animals that just gave birth, all having weaker immune systems).

Learn about farm animal disease risks and how to prevent them here.

Healthy agriculture involves farming practices that prioritize sustainability, soil health, and environmental protection while producing safe and nutritious food for consumers. Key principles include Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), which focus on quality, safety, and sustainability, and methods like Natural Farming, which use organic inputs to rejuvenate soil biology. Other approaches emphasize biodiversity, resource conservation, and social equity to meet the needs of both current and future generations.  

Key principles and practices

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP):

A set of standards for producing safe, high-quality food that is also sustainable for the environment and communities. 

Natural Farming:

An approach that avoids synthetic chemicals and instead focuses on improving soil health through organic inputs like cow dung and urine, which enhance microbial life and fertility. 

Sustainable Agriculture:

A broader movement that considers the long-term health of the planet, people, and economies. It includes practices that protect biodiversity, conserve natural resources, and ensure social and economic equity. 

Biosecurity:

Measures to prevent the spread of diseases, especially in livestock and poultry, are crucial for maintaining healthy farms. 

Resource conservation:

This includes water conservation, for instance, by avoiding overwatering, and reducing waste, such as food that never leaves the field. 

Diversification:

Integrating crops and livestock can create more resilient and sustainable ecosystems. 

Agroecology:

Practices that mimic natural ecosystems, such as silvopastoral systems (integrating trees with livestock), can increase yields and reduce environmental impact. 

Benefits of healthy agriculture

Healthier food:

Produce is free from harmful pesticides and packed with more nutrients. 

Environmental benefits:

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved biodiversity, and conserved water resources. 

Economic viability:

Sustainable practices can lead to increased profitability and long-term stability for farmers. 

Social equity:

Supports livelihoods and contributes to food security for present and future generations.