Livestock and poultry operations are an important component
of food production. A collaborative effort between University of Missouri Extension,
Federal and State level agencies, and commodity groups was recently put
together to improve stakeholders’ ability to prevent and respond to disease
outbreak. This project built a team to compile and convey a complete set of
bio-security protocols for stakeholders. The topics included practical
bio-security, disease identification, quarantine and mass mortality management,
and economics.
A series of five regional workshops were conducted in Missouri reaching 140 participants. The
tools included a booklet of presentation files, checklist of routine
bio-security protocols, a list of important contacts, and an USB jump-drive
that contained the electronic files and relevant publications. Surveys
were conducted during and after the workshops to evaluate the overall
effectiveness and collect feedback. A 3-month follow-up survey indicated 24 participants utilized the tools and knowledge to re-evaluate and improve bio-security protocols, and plans for quarantine and eradication; and 17 participants have utilized the tools and knowledge received to implement improved bio-security protocols, communication, and training. Stakeholders are encouraged to collaborate and
communicate effectively, and frequently re-evaluate and implement the
bio-security protocols. A conference paper was written and presented.