Each producer will determine what biosecurity practices will be required of visitors. Below are the most common recommendations made by speakers. Disease spread into California will result in revised recommendations.
☐ Advance Notice – Visits should be scheduled in advance. Visitors will be informed of required biosecurity practices such as designated parking, escort, clean clothing etc. Ideally at least a 24 hour “down time” occurs between visiting different dairies.
☐ Clean or Disposable Clothing – Clothes should be laundered since their last farm visit. Rubber boots should be disinfected. Alternatively, the dairy can provide farm-specific boots and coveralls. A final alternative is to require the use of disposable boot covers and coveralls.
☐ Designated Visitor Parking – Visitor parking should be restricted to a designated area removed from employee parking, animal areas and on-farm vehicle traffic routes. Off-farm service vehicles crossing into animal areas need to be cleaned and disinfected, C&D.
☐ Visitor Registration – Visitor log-in should include questions about recent visits to other farms, livestock markets or fairs, international travel and presence of livestock or birds at home.
☐ Escort & Farm Vehicle – Farms may require escort by a farm employee using a farm truck or side-by-side utility vehicle.
☐ Access Only Necessary Areas – Limit visitors to necessary work areas. Few visitors need to enter the milking parlor. Many visits can be handled in the office.
☐ Disinfection of Equipment – Hands are washed or disposable gloves donned before beginning work. Afterward all off-farm equipment used is cleaned and disinfected using an appropriate sanitizing agent. This is followed by a thorough hand washing.