36 Nebraska Cattleman October 2023 (USDA) National Training and Exercise Program, developing guidance for training USDA field officials and providing guidance for managing FMD in large cattle feedlots. • Actively engaging in the FMD Cross Species Communication Working Group, which seeks to develop consistent messaging on FMD, minimize consumer confusion and concern, educate industry partners and speak with one voice on FMD-related issues. On the producer education team, including BQA, the focus is on reaching as many beef industry members as possible with practical biosecurity and educational resources. During an FMD outbreak, there are advantages for producers who already have a biosecurity plan established and enacted for both daily and transboundary diseases. Recognizing the complexity of our industry, including partners such as producers, transporters, auction markets, veterinarians and meat processors, is an important first step in FMD preparedness and prevention. Collaboration between these partners will be critical as the industry navigates a potential FMD outbreak. The biosecurity educational portfolio continues to expand. Below are a few projects for producers and stakeholders to be aware of. • Getting BQA certified, whether inperson or through the online platform (available at bqa.org) provides a great foundation of knowledge around disease prevention and biosecurity. Continuous development of training resources for employee education are also found here. • BQA Daily Biosecurity Plan for Disease Prevention offers an introductory biosecurity template that is customizable and offers a point-in-time assessment of current biosecurity practices. • The BQA plan also prepares producers and industry stakeholders for filling out the USDA-developed Secure Beef Supply (SBS) plan (available at securebeef.org), which has amplified biosecurity steps protecting against FMD and will be necessary during a potential FMD outbreak. • BQA Transportation certification modules provide appropriate biosecurity content for cattle transporters. • American Sheep Industry Association and NCBA received NADPRP funds for a project developing movement decision criteria specific to livestock grazing public land allotments during an FMD outbreak that has a unique collaboration with industry, state and federal partners. • NCBA recently received NADPRP funds to improve the SBS plan and deliver education and outreach to U.S. beef producers, veterinarians and transporters to further industry collaboration and preparedness. Biosecurity is one thing that the producer has the most control over. The most difficult concept about biosecurity is both preparing for a disease that is common, such as bovine respiratory disease, or a disease we hope never comes, such as FMD. NCBA has focused on FMD-prevention steps at the national level with awareness and producer preparation at the local level, where biosecurity improves animal health and business sustainability. NCBA will continue to provide this support to our cattle industry partners across the country. NC INSIDE TRACK • CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34 Recognizing the complexity of our industry, including partners such as producers, transporters, auction markets, veterinarians and meat processors, is an important first step in FMD preparedness and prevention.
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