Tag: Biosecurity

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Vermont Dairy Farm Emergency Biosecurity Plans & Maps Delivered

An overhead view map of a dairy farm with barns and other structures. Lines on the map show where animals need to be protected from a foreign animal disease introduction.
A Vermont dairy farm mapped for emergency biosecurity planning.

During the summer of 2023, UVM Animal and Veterinary Sciences Research Professor Julie Smith, along with two veterinary student interns, embarked on a project that took them to eight dairy farms across Vermont. Their goal was to help farmers prepare emergency biosecurity plans and maps, in order to respond to a possible foreign animal disease outbreak such as foot-and-mouth disease. Continue reading “Vermont Dairy Farm Emergency Biosecurity Plans & Maps Delivered”

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Will the “Levee Effect” Give a False Sense of Security for Livestock Diseases?

Several adult sheep with lambs standing in a field.

Animal and Veterinary Sciences Research Professor Julie Smith published an article in Progressive Dairy entitled, “Animal agriculture awaits normal accidents when it comes to biosecurity.” She examines the effects of a move by the United Kingdom and the European Union for animal agriculture to become disease-free without vaccination. Continue reading “Will the “Levee Effect” Give a False Sense of Security for Livestock Diseases?”

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Smith Lab Summer Activities: Science and Scenery

Julie Smith standing next to a research poster about biosecurity learning modules and results of surveys.
Dr. Smith presented a poster for the ADSA conference at the end of June 2023, on the HFHA biosecurity learning module project (https://go.uvm.edu/biosecurity-learning-modules). Photo credit: Madeline Beaudry.

Julie Smith

After mentoring the Vermont Dairy Mapping Project interns for six weeks, I headed to camp at the Mount Norris Scout Reservation in Eden, Vermont. My unit’s campsite evacuated to higher ground the night of July 10, and I drove past a lot of signs of the water’s power on my way home. Continue reading “Smith Lab Summer Activities: Science and Scenery”

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VT Dairy Mapping Project Kicks Off at UVM Dairy Farm

Julie Smith, CREAM student, Massle Thach, and Adrian Dixon standing in the UVM dairy barn next to a Holstein cow.
Back to front: Julie Smith, CREAM Summer Student Advisor Julia Gerardi, Massle Thach, Adrian Dixon, and Maddie Beaudry visit the UVM dairy farm for the Vermont Dairy Mapping Project. Photo credit: Joanna Cummings.

During the summer of 2023, the Vermont Dairy Mapping Project launched with a team that visited several dairy farms to interview farmers about their disease-prevention biosecurity practices. The project team collected information that will be used to prepare a disease outbreak response plan for each farm, based on the national Secure Milk Supply Plan template. The team also “field tested” a new online mapping application that was developed to make the visual mapping part of a plan easier to create. Continue reading “VT Dairy Mapping Project Kicks Off at UVM Dairy Farm”

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Science Creates Real Understanding of Biosecurity (SCRUB) Agriculture Curriculum Published

A graphic of different types of viruses, bacteria and other disease organisms.

A series of farm biosecurity learning modules were developed during a five-year livestock biosecurity grant project directed by UVM Animal and Veterinary Sciences Research Associate Professor Julie Smith.

Also part of the grant project and recently published, the SCRUB (Science Creates Real Understanding of Biosecurity) curriculum contains modules and activities that complement the biosecurity learning modules. The SCRUB curriculum links hands-on learning with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. They incorporate science into fun activities to engage youth in grades 6 to 12 who have an existing interest in animal science. Continue reading “Science Creates Real Understanding of Biosecurity (SCRUB) Agriculture Curriculum Published”