March 29, 2024

State on high alert against ASF threat

INDIANAPOLIS — As 2020 gets underway, Hoosier livestock farmers are busy preparing their operations for what they hope is a successful year.

Bret Marsh, state veterinarian at the Indiana Board of Animal Health, shared some insight on what the livestock industry will hold for producers in 2020.

“I’m excited about launching into 2020,” said Marsh, adding that the Indiana livestock industry had a good 2019.

Marsh said that BOAH remains steadfast in its mission to be prepared against African swine fever as it continues to make its way across swine farms in Asia.

Marsh said the board continues to work with African swine fever preparedness committees throughout the country to prepare for the consequences of what might happen if African swine fever makes its way into the states.

Besides staying on high alert against the threat of African swine fever, Marsh said those involved in the livestock industry are staying busy with the animal identification program and registering livestock with a premises identification number.

“Over 67,000 livestock premises have been registered,” Marsh said.

When it comes to the Hoosier dairy industry, Marsh said that despite a lot of pressure that dairy farmers are facing from the market, there still are 824 dairy farms in the state and 177 of the farms have robotic milking systems in place.

“We continue to work with state 4-H to make sure proper ID is in place on goats and sheep as we launch into the 2020 exhibition season,” Marsh said.