HUTCHINSON, Minn. — As fair time approaches, it is important to keep in mind biosecurity practices to help ensure you bring home ribbons and not diseases this year. There are several steps you can take before, during and after the fair to keep animals as healthy as possible. Fairs are a great way to showcase animals but it can also be dangerous bringing all those animals from different farms together.
Using biosecurity practices will help keep all animals healthy and exhibition events successful. One in six new human diseases is considered zoonotic which means they can be transferred between humans and animals. Fairs bring stress to exhibitors and animals so it is vital to use the best practices possible to make sure you and your animals do not contract a disease. Fairgoers usually do not have much immunity to many of the germs animals and their owners are used to, keeping areas clean and encouraging hand washing is important.
Before the Fair
Before taking your animals to the fair make sure they are healthy. You can check their temperature and observe them before leaving the farm. Keep animals up to date on vaccines to protect them while they are at the fair. It is also important to ensure your animal has proper identification. Be sure that all the equipment you are taking is cleaned and sanitized before leaving the farm.
During the Fair
While animals are at the fair limit their stress as much as possible. Keep their bedding clean and comfortable. Supply fresh feed and water as needed depending on the size of your animal. It is important to know the Minnesota Department of Agriculture requires all animals must be examined by an official veterinarian on the day they are admitted to the exhibition and at least once daily during the exhibition.
Some other things to keep in mind at the fair:
- Don’t share feed or water buckets between animals as this can quickly spread disease.
- Try to limit contact between animals and fairgoers especially if the animals get stressed easily.
- Wash your hands often and encourage fairgoers to do the same.
- Before visiting animals at home after being at the fair, be sure to wash hands and change your clothes and footwear.
After the Fair
After returning from the fair keep animals separate from the rest of the group for at least two weeks. Use this time to monitor them and get them back into the routine at home. Wash buckets, forks, and other tack and store it in a clean dry location for next year. For more information on biosecurity during the fair season, visit http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/make_plans_to_practice_livestock_biosecurity_at_your_fair.
— Katherine Gathje, University of Minnesota Extension Intern – McLeod & Meeker Counties
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