The Citizen, 2006-03-16, Page 38By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
It's not simply about protecting
the food we eat, but also about
protecting an investment.
Today's farmers are looking more
and more towards biosecurity
measures as a way to protect and
guarantee the health of their animals.
On the farm, any disease can
jeopardize the economic viability of
the business or the animals' welfare.
The loss of animals is a loss of
income, and as shown by the BSE
crisis, can virtually cripple an entire
industry. Biosecurity protects the
health of the livestock by stopping
the transmission of disease.
Disease can spread in any number
of ways. Though some may require
direct contact to infect another
animal, others can be spread
indirectly. Insect bites, the wind,
people's clothing or rodents can all
transport disease.
Knowing the risks and how to
avoid them is what biosecurity is all
about. Where once, not all that long
ago, anyone could venture onto a
farm or into a barn, now it can be
almost virtually forbidden.
Some operations such as poultry
and swine producers, have designed
biosecurity plans to protect their
animals and their livelihood.
While this has established a
number of guidelines that weren't in
place before, for most conscientious
producers it hasn't made a huge
difference in how they conduct their
business. Dave and Dianne Diehl of
Tindell View Poultry near Brussels
for example, said they've always
been cautious in running their
operation. "We were always careful,
just not quite as careful as the way
we are now," said Dave.
The couple first had broilers for
Maple Leaf 16 years ago, then made
the switch to breeder pullets nine
years ago when the company did.
When Maple Leaf started to "get out
of farming", the Diehls offered a
price and went into business for
themselves. When full they run
about 150,000 pullets a year.
Though they may be their own
boss, they are guided by government
and the industry in how they run
their business. The Canadian
government has taken initiatives to
ensure food safety with its Hazard
Analysis Critical Control Point
(HACCP) systems in all federally-
registered establishments of the
meat, dairy, honey, maple syrup,
processed fruit and vegetable, shell
egg, processed egg and poultry
hatchery sectors.
The system is internationally
recognized as a straightforward
approach to controlling food safety.
Under HACCP, livestock and
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2006. PAGE A17.
Agriculture 2006
Biosecurity protects investment, consumers
poultry producers implement
process controls through production.
"This is something we've had to
do for awhile now," said Dianne. "It
takes into consideration any area that
could trigger a problem. Critical
points you might overlook."
For example, if a feed truck comes
in, the driver must disinfect it before
coming onto the property. A log is
kept on site of anyone's time of
arrival, their purpose, where tikey
were coming from and when they
left.
"That way if anything does go
wrong you can track it back," said
Dave.
However, for a busy household it
can be a challenge. :When we.
started with logs they wanted it to be
farm wide," said Dianne. "But
around here on the weekend with
kids it's like Grand Central station.
Can you imagine trying to get
everyone to log in?"
"It's different when they're in the
controlled area," said Dave. The
couples' children are well aware,of
the rules and make sure that their
friends understand them when
visiting. No one is allowed near the
Continued on A18
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Estimates Service
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Keep out
Dianne Diehl stands by the sign on their property warning
visitors that they must not travel beyond the gates without
the owner's permission. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
AUCTION SALE • AUCTION SALE • AUCTION SALE • AUCTION SALE
Gigantic Inventory Reduction Auction Sale for
Ed Stewart's Equipment - Erin
9410 Wellington County Road #124, corners of Hwy. 24 & 25 N
now Wellington Roads #124 & 24
For more information call 519-833-9616
400+ units including - Agricultural Equipment - Landscaping Equipment
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SATURDAY, March 25, 2006 AT 9:30 A.M.
Registration starts at 8:00 a.m.
FREE ADMISSION AND PARKING - COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST 8:00 am -9:30 am only
Auction sale for
Ray Ulch Welding & Machine Shop- Dungannon
For more information contact Ray at 519-529-7647
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2006 AT 9:00 A.M.
Selling: 2 mig welders, 2 stick welders, 1 Lincoln plasma cutter, 5 hp compressor floor jacks,
torches, shop tools, 4 tractors, large assortment of used chainsaws and chainsaw parts.
Terms: Cash or cheque with proper I.D. Lunch booth.
BRINDLEYS HAVE IN STOCK
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So if you're looking lor equipment to buy or equipment to sell give Brindleys a call.
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