Biosecurity in fields and crops flows into food security

Biosecurity standards on farms are voluntary and most commonly used in animal husbandry – but are also important for those growing crops.

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That was the message shared by Gray County farm specialist for Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement, Wayne Shier, and certified crop advisor, Deb Campbell, during day one of a virtual webinar hosted through the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership. Campbell owns and operates Agronomy Advantage Inc. and farms west of Dundalk, Ontario. She is a director of the Gray County Soil and Crop.

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“Making a small change can have a significant effect,” Campbell said. Webinars like this are to “increase and awareness and understanding of biosecurity” as well as “facilitate implementation and adoption of national biosecurity standards.”

Biosecurity management practices prevent, minimize and control everything from insects, nematodes and weeds to bacteria, fungi, viruses and molluscs. Some of the attendees of the two-day session included dairy and cash crop farmers from across the province as well as agricultural students and graduates from other parts of the world.

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To put biosecurity into practice involves everything from the safety of seed and chemicals, by ensuring they are pest free, to addressing even the water used to irrigate and the air blowing in pesticides and particles and weed seeds from other fields or from exhaust fans.

“Biosecurity in the field flows into food security,” Campbell said.

Pests can be spread through infected seeds and plant material by insects, birds, wildlife and other animals, as well as pets. They can also arrive on clothing, shoes, hands and hair when people visit the farm or employees move between fields. Pests can also be in contaminated compost, manure, soil, waste water and packing material. And pests can also be on farm equipment and vehicles.

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One participant talked about how canola seed was getting into their fields because of the adjacent train track carrying canola to a nearby production plant.

There was a warning included in the presentation directed to the public at large and that was not to bring plant material home from abroad including fruits, vegetables and seeds, and even meat.

“It’s always a moving target,” Campbell said of biosecurity efforts. New pests are always arriving.

CFIA has a National Biosecurity Standard that recently added grains, oilseeds and potatoes, in addition to livestock. Dairy has a very high standard which continues to move higher. Biosecurity protocols are meant to protect your farm, the public and the supply chain, Campbell stressed.

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“All commodities will eventually have national standards.”

At this time, however, they are voluntary – but following them is in everyone’s best interest. For example, weed species are becoming very resistant to pesticides and this problem can move from an individual farm to a region or even nationally.

“Cash crops haven’t yet had severe outbreaks of pests or diseases with catastrophic consequences,” Campbell said, but went on to note some producers in Ontario lost 100% of their production some years ago due to ear fungi in corn.

Some infestations of other pests have shut down entire farms in the US and the farm land values ​​there were completely lost without full eradication.

A video from the Ontario Livestock & Poultry council narrated by Dr. Bruce McNab focused on control and spread of disease and indicated how many animal husbandry principles also apply to crop biosecurity.

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Disease spreads exponentially so hand-washing and staying home when sick are ways to limit at the source, he said. Other ways include using clean covers and boots, cleaning and disinfecting equipment and even developing a shower-in, shower-out system.

He discussed ways to stop farm-to-farm spread of sick animals, early detection and a segregation pen so sick animals aren’t spreading it to others on the farm. Other areas Dr. McNab addressed included controlling the movement of manure, using vaccines on herd animals and ensuring workers and producers practice biosecurity methods that are established for each farm.

Campbell noted the overlap of biosecurity protocols used for both animals and plants, and then addressed the use of signs to provide directions to visitors about not entering farms or certain areas and/or where to report or to telephone as an important way to keep pests out . If pests do happen, contain them as best as possible and then use practices of management to shut them down, or at least minimize them.

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Equipment (such as farm combines and sprayers) may be identified as “farm free” but if they are new to your operation ensure they are cleaned and disinfected first before use as soil movement can bring in pathogens.

“Put it through your own standard of cleaning.”

Campbell noted that spring and fall are key times to clean the undersides of equipment moving from one field to another. There also needs to be a plan for the arrival of supplies, service equipment and even the proximity of recreation trails.

While farmers can’t plan for everything, risk assessments can be undertaken in developing a biosecurity plan for your own farm.

It is not hard to make a plan, it’s just documenting the little things that are important and need to be observed.

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“It doesn’t have to be a large, grand project,” she said of such plans.

Some farming operations have pick-your-owns and host tours, so using a log book to identify those signing in and out is valuable, as is using farm-disinfected footwear and/or coveralls, and detailing specifically where the visitors are, and are not, allowed on the farm. Decide on a staging/parking areas and sign them accordingly. Lock gates and building doors. Perhaps use a drop box away from the entrance to your farm operations, or have two separate lanes to home and farm.

“Footwear is no different than tires on a vehicle,” Campbell said.

Footwear disinfectant baths are hard to maintain and keep from becoming contaminated. She also suggested keeping designated boots for veterinarians who come to your farm. She uses boot covers when visiting farms in her role as crop specialist.

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Crop rotation can also be a fundamental practice in biosecurity alleviate many issues along with the spread and build-up of disease and weeds. She suggests keeping a written history of at least five years.

“Rotate chemistries….to prevent resistant weeds.” Campbell added.

Red clover is often used as a cover crop and unfortunately it is susceptible to white mold, so ensure this doesn’t happen by adding in a third crop rotation when dealing with crops like corn and beans. Also, look at hybrids in seed selection, those with less susceptible varieties and genetic resistance.

In addition, rotate the herbicide group you are using on your crops.

“Manage pesticide applications carefully – spray drift can impact crops on which the pesticide is not registered,” the presentation stated. It also suggested using traps to catch and monitor the insects in fields. And routinely look at your crops, either in fields or greenhouses, to scout out pest and monitor their thresholds.

Properly dispose of plant debris and frequently inspect storage facilities for pests. Use certified seeds for everything, including bird seed.

For more information on biosecurity webinars for everything from crops and bees to livestock and poultry go to https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/biosecurity-webinars/

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