DAIRY INDUSTRY MANUAL

National Animal Health 

Emergency Management System 

Foreign Animal Disease 

Preparedness & Response Plan

FAD PReP

United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Veterinary Services

MARCH 2011
Dairy Industry Manual

FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page i

The Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Plan (FAD PReP) Dairy Industry Manual provides an 

overview of U.S. dairy production methods to enhance understanding of normal business operations and the inherent 

high risk disease transmission behaviors in order to effectively aid in containing or eradicating a highly contagious 

foreign animal disease outbreak in the United States. 

This FAD PReP Industry Manual was produced by the Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State 

University of Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service through a cooperative agreement.

The FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual was last updated in March 2011. Please send questions or comments to: 

Center for Food Security and Public Health

2160 Veterinary Medicine

Iowa State University of Science and Technology

Ames, IA 50011

Telephone: 515-294-1492

Fax: 515-294-8259

Email: cfsph@iastate.edu, 

subject line FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual

While best efforts have been used in developing and preparing the FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual, the U.S. Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service, and Iowa State University of 

Science and Technology (ISU) and other parties, such as employees and contractors contributing to this document, neither 

warrant nor assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information 

or procedure disclosed. The primary purpose of the FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual is to provide guidance to those 

government officials responding to a foreign animal disease outbreak. It is only posted for public access as a reference. 

The FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual may refer to links to various other Federal and State agencies and private 

organizations. These links are maintained solely for the user’s information and convenience. If you link to such site, 

please be aware that you are then subject to the policies of that site. In addition, please note that USDA does not 

control and cannot guarantee the relevance, timeliness, or accuracy of these outside materials. Further, the inclusion 

of links or pointers to particular items in hypertext is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to 

constitute approval or endorsement of any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these outside web 

sites, or the organizations sponsoring the web sites. Trade names are used solely for the purpose of providing specific information. Mention of a trade name does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by USDA or an 

endorsement over other products not mentioned.

USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply 

to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information 

(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and telecommunications device for the deaf [TDD]).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326 W, Whitten Building, 

1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an 

equal opportunity provider and employer.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual 

orientation, sex, marital status, gender identity, disability or status as a U.S. Veteran. Any persons having inquiries 

concerning this may contact the Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3280 Beardshear Hall, ISU, Ames, 

IA 50011 (515) 294-7612. 

National Center for Animal Health 

Emergency Management

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 

Veterinary Services

4700 River Road, Unit 41

Riverdale, Maryland 20732-1231

Telephone: (301) 734-8073 Fax: (301) 734-7817

E-mail: FAD.PReP.Comments@aphis.usda.gov 
Dairy Industry Manual

FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page ii

THE IMPERATIVE FOR FOREIGN ANIMAL DISEASE PREPAREDNESS 

AND RESPONSE 

WHY FOREIGN ANIMAL DISEASES MATTER

Preparing for and responding to foreign animal diseases (FADs), like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and footand-mouth disease (FMD), are critical measures to safeguard our nation’s animal health, public health, and food supply.

There are significant potential consequences of an FAD outbreak in the United States. For example, the 2001 FMD 

outbreak in the United Kingdom cost an estimated £8 billion ($13 billion) and reduced the British gross domestic 

product by 0.2 percent. Studies have projected a likely cost of between $6 billion and $14 billion for a U.S. outbreak 

contained to California. In addition to the economic impact, the social and psychological impact on both producers 

and consumers would be severe.

CHALLENGES OF RESPONDING TO AN FAD EVENT

An FAD outbreak will be challenging to all stakeholders. For example, there will be disruptions to interstate commerce and international trade. Response activities are complex, and significant planning and preparation must be 

conducted before an outbreak. Outbreaks can become large and widespread. Large, geographically dispersed and 

diverse teams will need to be assembled rapidly and must react quickly. The response effort must have the capability 

to be rapidly scaled up, involving many times more resources, personnel, and countermeasures. As such, responding 

to an FAD—large or small—may be a very complex and difficult effort.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM PAST FAD OUTBREAKS

Past outbreaks both in the United States and other countries have allowed us to learn important lessons that can be 

applied to preparedness and response efforts. To achieve successful outcomes in future FAD outbreaks, it is vital to 

identify, understand, and apply these lessons learned: 

•	 Provide a unified State-Federal-Tribal-industry planning process that respects local knowledge.

•	 Ensure the unified command sets clearly defined and obtainable goals.

•	 Have a unified command that acts with speed and certainty to achieve united goals.

•	 Employ science-based and risk-management approaches that protect public health and animal health, stabilize 

animal agriculture, the food supply, and the economy.

•	 Ensure guidelines, strategies, and procedures are communicated and understood by responders and stakeholders.

•	 Acknowledge that high expectations for timely and successful outcomes require the:

- rapid scale-up of resources and trained personnel for veterinary activities and countermeasures, and

- capability to quickly address competing interests before or during an outbreak.

•	 Execute FAD tracing, which is essential for the efficient and timely control of FAD outbreaks.

FAD PREP MISSION AND GOALS

The significant threat and potential consequences of FADs and the challenges and lessons-learned of effective and 

rapid FAD response have led to the development of the Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Plan, 

also known as “FAD PReP.” The mission of FAD PReP is to raise awareness, expectations, and develop capabilities 
Dairy Industry Manual

FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page iii

surrounding FAD preparedness and response. The goal of FAD PReP is to integrate, synchronize, and de-conflict 

preparedness and response capabilities as much as possible before an outbreak, by providing goals, guidelines, 

strategies, and procedures that are clear, comprehensive, easily readable, easily updated, and that comply with the 

National Incident Management System.

In the event of an FAD outbreak, the three key response goals are to: (1) detect, control, and contain the FAD in animals as quickly as possible; (2) eradicate the FAD using strategies that seek to stabilize animal agriculture, the food 

supply, the economy, and protect public health; and (3) provide science- and risk-based approaches and systems to 

facilitate continuity of business for non-infected animals and non-contaminated animal products. 

FAD PReP DOCUMENTS AND MATERIALS

FAD PReP is not just one, standalone FAD plan. Instead, it is a comprehensive U.S. preparedness and response strategy for FAD threats. This strategy is provided and explained in a series of different types of integrated documents, as 

illustrated and described below.

FAD PReP Suite of Documents and Materials

Note: APHIS=Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, NAHEMS = National Animal Health Emergency 

Management System, SOP = standard operating procedures.

Strategic Plans—Concept of Operations 

•	 APHIS Framework for Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response: This document provides an 

overall concept of operations for FAD preparedness and response for APHIS, explaining the framework of 

existing approaches, systems, and relationships.

•	 National Center for Animal Health Emergency Management (NCAHEM) Stakeholder Coordination and 

Collaboration Plan: This plan describes NCAHEM strategy for enhancing stakeholder collaboration and 

identifies key stakeholders.

•	 NCAHEM Incident Coordination Group Plan: This document explains how APHIS headquarters will organize 

in the event of an animal health emergency. 

NAHEMS Guidelines 

•	 These documents describe many of the critical preparedness and response activities, and can be considered as a 

competent veterinary authority for responders, planners, and policy-makers.
Dairy Industry Manual

FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page iv

Industry Manuals

•	 These manuals describe the complexity of industry to emergency planners and responders and provide industry 

a window into emergency response. 

Disease Response Plans

•	 Response plans are intended to provide disease-specific information about response strategies. These documents 

offer guidance to all stakeholders on capabilities and critical activities that would be required to respond to an 

FAD outbreak.

Critical Activity Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

•	 For planners and responders, these SOPs provide details for conducting 23 critical activities such as disposal, 

depopulation, cleaning and disinfection, and biosecurity that are essential to effective preparedness and 

response to an FAD outbreak. These SOPs provide operational details that are not discussed in depth in 

strategic documents or disease-specific response plans.

Continuity of Business Plans (Developed by public-private-academic partnerships)

•	 Secure Egg Supply (SES) Plan: The SES Plan uses proactive risk assessments, surveillance, biosecurity, and 

other requirements to facilitate the market continuity and movement of eggs and egg products during an 

HPAI outbreak.

•	 Secure Milk Supply (SMS) Plan: Currently under development, the SMS plan will help facilitate market 

continuity for milk and milk products during an FMD outbreak. 

Outbreak Response Tools

•	 Case definitions, appraisal and compensation guidelines and formulas, and specific surveillance guidance are 

examples of important outbreak response tools. 

State/Tribal Planning

•	 State and Tribal planning is essential for an effective FAD response. These plans are tailored to the particular 

requirements and environments of the State or Tribal area, taking into account animal populations, industry, 

and population needs.

Industry, Academic, and Extension Planning

•	 Industry, academia, and extension stakeholder planning is critical and essential: emergency management is not 

just a Federal or State activity.

APHIS Emergency Management

•	 APHIS directives and Veterinary Services Memorandums provide critical emergency management policy. 

APHIS Emergency Management documents provide guidance on topics ranging from emergency mobilization, 

to the steps in investigating a potential FAD, to protecting personnel from highly pathogenic avian influenza.

These documents are available on the FAD PReP collaboration website: https://fadprep.lmi.org. For those who 

have access to the APHIS intranet, these documents are available on the internal APHIS FAD PReP website: 

http://inside.aphis.usda.gov/vs/em/fadprep.shtml
Dairy Industry Manual

FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page v

The information provided here is meant to be used as a preparedness resource rather than a comprehensive 

document. Several key APHIS documents complement this “FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual” and provide further 

details when necessary. This document references the following APHIS documents:

•	 APHIS Framework for Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response 

•	 FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines: 

- Appraisal and Compensation (2011)

- Biosecurity (2011) 

- Cleaning and Disinfection (2011)

- Disposal (2011)

- Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Tracing (2011)

- Personal Protective Equipment (2011)

- Mass Depopulation and Euthanasia (2011)

- Vaccination for Contagious Diseases (2011) with Appendix A: FMD Considerations and Strategies (2011)

- Wildlife Management and Vector Control (2011)

•	 FAD PReP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP):

- Appraisal and Compensation (2011)

- Biosecurity (2011) 

- Cleaning and Disinfection (2011)

- Disposal (2011)

- Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Tracing (2011)

- Personal Protective Equipment (2011)

- Mass Depopulation and Euthanasia (2011)

- Vaccination for Contagious Diseases (2011)

- Wildlife Management and Vector Control (2011)

•	 FMD Response Plan: The Red Book, USDA-APHIS 

•	 Secure Milk Supply (SMS) Plan Biosecurity Performance Standards (Draft 2011) 

•	 VS Memo 580.4 Procedures for Investigating a Foreign Animal Disease/Emerging Disease Incident 

(FAD/EDI) October 2008

These documents are available on the FAD PReP collaboration website at: https://fadprep.lmi.org. Username and 

password can be requested.
Dairy Industry Manual

FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page vi

Table of Contents

Purpose 1

Intent 1

Scope 1

Learning Objectives 1

PART I: UNITED STATES DAIRY PRODUCTION 2 

 

1. Scope of the Dairy Industry 2

1.1 Cattle Numbers 2

1.2 Animal Production 3

 1.2.1 Location and Movement 3

 1.2.2 Diverse Workforce 5

 1.2.3 Business Continuity 5

1.3 Milk Production 6

 1.3.1 Regulations/Inspections 6

 1.3.2 Transportation Methods and Protocols 6

 1.3.3 Viability of Product 7

1.4 Disease Traceability in Dairy Cattle 8

2. Life Stages and Animal Husbandry Needs 9

2.1 Lactating 9

2.2 Dry Cows 9

2.3 Pre-Fresh Cows 10

2.4 Calving 10

2.5 Replacement Animals 10

 2.5.1 Pre-Weaned (0-2 Months) 11

 2.5.2 Weaned (3-8 Months) 11

 2.5.3 Pre-Breeding (9-12 Months or Older) 12

 2.5.4 Bred to Pre-Fresh (13-22 Months or Older) 12

3. Dairy Facilities 12

 3.1 Lactating Cattle 12

 3.1.1 Tie Stall, Stanchion 12

 3.1.2 Grazing 13

 3.1.3 Loose Housing (Bedded Pack and/or Compost, Free Stalls, Cross-Ventilated) 13

 3.1.4 Dry Lot 14

 3.2 Calves (On-Farm, Custom Growers, Ranches) 15

 3.2.1 Individual (Hutches, Hotels) 15

 3.2.2 Group Housing 16

 3.3 Growing Heifers 16

 3.3.1 Grazing 16

 3.3.2 Confinement 16

 3.3.3 Dry Lot 16

 3.4 Milking Systems 17

 3.4.1 Tie Stall/Stanchion 17

 3.4.2 Parlor 17

 3.4.3 Milking Protocol 18
Dairy Industry Manual

FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page vii

Table of Contents

 3.4.4 Robotic or Automatic Milking Systems (AMS) 18

 3.4.5 Milk Storage 19

 3.4.6 Nonsaleable Milk 19

 3.4.7 Cleaning 19

3.5 Feeding Systems Overview 19

 3.5.1 Storage 20

 3.5.2 Delivery 21

3.6 Bedding Overview 22

4. Animal Movement 22

4.1 Within the Same Operation/Ownership 22

4.2 Off-Farm 22

 4.2.1 Market/Cull Cattle 23

 4.2.2 Mortalities 23

5. Product Movement 24

 5.1 Raw Milk to the Processing Plant 24

 5.2 Raw Milk to Consumers, Pet Food 25

 5.3 Raw Milk/Colostrum for Calf Feeding 25

 5.4 Non-Saleable Milk (NSM) to Calves 26

 5.5 Embryos 26

 5.6 Manure Handling 26

PART II: RESPONSE TO A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS FOREIGN ANIMAL DISEASE 28

6. Designation of Zones, Areas, and Premises 28

7. Disease-Specific Biosecurity Measures 30

8. Providing Animal Care 30

8.1 Feeding 30

8.2 Bedding 31

8.3 Milking 31

8.4 Vaccinating 31

 8.4.1 Routine 31

 8.4.2 Specific to Disease Event 31

9. Product Handling 32

 9.1 Milk 32

 9.2 Dairy Animals 33

9.3 Culls/Slaughter 34

9.4 Mortalities 34

9.5 Manure 34

10. Surveillance 34

 10.1 People 35

 10.2 Vehicle Traffic 36
Dairy Industry Manual

FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page viii

Table of Contents

10.3 Disease Monitoring 36

10.4 Sample Collection 36

10.5 Sample Submission 37

11. Appraisal and Compensation (FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and SOP) 37

12. Mass Depopulation and Euthanasia (FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and SOP) 37

13. Disposal (FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and SOP) 38

14. Cleaning and Disinfection (C&D) (FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and SOP) 38

15. Wildlife Management and Vector Control (FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and SOP) 38

16. International Trade 38

Acknowledgements 39

Photo and Illustration Credits 41

Acronyms 45

Glossary 47

Appendix A: Bovine Routes of Transmission and High Consequence Disease Examples 51

Appendix B: Prevention Practices for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) 52

Appendix C: Prevention Practices for Rift Valley Fever (RVF) 62
Dairy Industry Manual

FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 1 of 70

Purpose

This industry manual provides a broad overview of U.S. dairy production methods and the procedures that may 

be established in the event of a cattle-susceptible, highly contagious foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreak. 

A highly contagious FAD outbreak could severely impact industries with susceptible livestock as well as allied 

industries and service providers. A quick, effective, and well-coordinated response can minimize harm to the 

dairy industry. Wide dissemination of this information is encouraged to establish open communication between 

regulators and producers with the goal of reducing the probability that animals or their caretakers become 

infected with a highly contagious FAD.

Intent

Local, state, and national level officials involved in developing policy and/or 

managing a highly contagious FAD outbreak should read this manual to understand 

the normal business operations of the dairy industry and appreciate the inherent 

high risk disease transmission behaviors in order to effectively aid in disease 

containment or eradication. Veterinarians and animal health technicians who are 

members of the USDA- APHIS National Animal Health Emergency Response 

Corps (NAHERC) or their state or county veterinary response teams carrying out 

disease control efforts on dairy operations should familiarize themselves with 

this manual. Livestock producers and any support personnel interacting with 

dairy operations need to be aware of the procedures as described here that may be 

implemented in a highly contagious FAD event and the biosecurity procedures they 

would be expected to follow to reduce the chance of becoming infected.

Scope

This manual is divided into two parts plus acronyms, glossary, and appendices.

•	 Part I describes normal activities on U.S. dairy operations reviewing life 

stages and animal husbandry, facility types, and animal and product movement. 

•	 Part II describes the response to prevent or mitigate the spread of a highly 

contagious foreign animal disease, such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) or 

Rift Valley fever (RVF) including designated zones and areas, providing 

animal care and options for product handling.

•	 Acronyms and glossary explain the terms used in the dairy industry and in 

emergency response.

•	 Disease specific biosecurity measures are found in the appendices: 

Foot-and-mouth disease prevention practices, Rift Valley fever prevention practices

Learning Objectives

Upon reviewing this manual, readers will be able to:

1. Recognize the various types of housing used for dairy calves, growing heifers and adult cattle; 

2. Explain the animal care needs of dairy calves, heifers and adult cattle;

3. Illustrate FAD response zones and areas used in quarantine and movement control efforts and explain 

classifications of premises in a response;

4. Implement biosecurity measures and surveillance activities on a dairy farm to prevent highly contagious 

foreign animal disease entry and monitor its presence/absence; 

5. Monitor the handling of milk product (treatment, disposal, transportation) during an animal health event;

6. Communicate with supervisory personnel and/or the regulatory officials regarding dairy farm status (animal 

needs, biosecurity measures in place, test results, tracebacks/traceouts, product movement); and

7. Determine biosecurity deficiencies that increase a premises probability of becoming infected or transmitting 

the highly contagious FAD.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 2 of 70

Figure 1. Products of Dairy Cattle

PART I: UNITED STATES DAIRY PRODUCTION

1. SCOPE OF THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

The dairy industry is represented in each of the 50 states as well as Puerto Rico. Like many animal agriculture 

industries, the number of dairy operations has decreased over the last 10 to 20 years with more animals on remaining 

farms. The U.S. dairy industry is diverse in size and scope, from larger-sized, specialized operations that focus solely 

on milking cows to small and medium-sized operations that milk cows while farming crop ground for feed and raising all of their replacement animals on farm.

Dairy operations produce a safe food source for the United States and the world. Milk provides 73% of the calcium 

in the U.S. food supply. Dairy products include fluid milk, ice cream, butter, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, whey 

proteins, and skim milk powder as illustrated in Figure 1. Dairy operations also contribute to beef production from 

bull calves raised for veal or fed out as steers and market (cull) cattle. The dairy industry plays an important economic 

role in the U.S. with 2009 cash receipts from marketing 188 billion pounds of milk to processing plants and consumers 

totaling $24.3 billion. Allied industries, employment on farms, dairy processing plants, distributors, and local 

communities surrounding dairy operations all derive financial benefit from this important animal industry.

Regulatory authorities are encouraged to work with dairy operations to develop a common understanding of 

movement control procedures, premises biosecurity recommendations, and mitigation strategies in the event of a 

highly contagious FAD incursion. Interactions with key management personnel to understand their operation prior 

to an animal health event will help minimize the extra time, effort, and cost that will accompany a “one-size fits 

all” approach to containing and ultimately eradicating a highly contagious FAD.

1.1 Cattle Numbers

In 2009, there were 9.20 million dairy cows on 62,500 dairy premises in the United States. The top 5 dairy states based 

on cattle numbers are listed in Table 1. Individual cows produced, on average, 20,576 pounds a year in 2009 with overall 

milk production reaching 189 billion pounds. The majority of milk was sold as Grade A or fluid grade (188 billion pounds) 

with the remaining milk fed to calves on farm (89%) or consumed by producers (11%). In 2009, there were 10 states that 

reported sales of Grade B (manufacturing grade) milk. Table 2 lists the distribution of dairy cattle by operation size, percent inventory and production for 2010. There were 55,100 dairy operations with less than 200 head that accounted for 

26.3% of the annual milk production. Herds with greater than 200 dairy cows produced the remaining 73.7% of milk. 

Sources: 

•	 USDA NASS. Milk Production, Disposition and Income 2009 Summary, April 2010, p. 7, accessed March 6, 2011 at 

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/MilkProdDi/MilkProdDi-04-29-2010.pdf.

•	 Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations, 2010 Summary, February 2011, Accessed March 6, 2011 at 

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/FarmLandIn/FarmLandIn-02-11-2011_revision.pdf
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 3 of 70

Cow Numbers (x1000)

1,257

1,796

619

550

545

State

Wisconsin

California

New York

Idaho

Pennsylvania

Average Production 

per Cow Per Year (lbs.)

20,079

22,000

20,071

22,091

19,360

Table 1. Top Five Dairy Cattle States by Number of Head, U.S., 2009

Source: USDA NASS Millk Production, Disposition, and Income 2009 Summary, April 2010, p. 7, accessed March 6, 2011 

at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/MilkProdDi/MilkProdDi-04-29-2010.pdf

Table 2. Number of Dairy Operations, Percent Inventory 

and Percent Production by Size Group, U.S., 2010

Source: Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations, 2010 Summary, February 2011, Accessed March 6, 2011 at 

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/FarmLandIn/FarmLandIn-02-11-2011_revision.pdf

Size Group Number of 

Operations

Percent of 

Inventory

Percent of 

Production

30 - 49

1 - 29

50 - 99

100 - 199

200 - 499

500 - 999

1,000 - 1,999

2,000+

11,000

20,000

15,500

8,600

4,000

1,700

920

760

4.9

1.7

11.8

12.3

12.8

12.6

13.3

30.8

3.5

1.1

10.4

11.3

12.7

13.0

15.5

32.5

1.2 Animal Production

1.2.1 Location and Movement

Dairy operations are located in all 50 states, any of which could be affected by a highly contagious FAD outbreak in 

cattle. Groups of animals that may move on and off dairies include calves, growing heifers, bred heifers, bred cows, 

dry cows, breeding bulls, and market (cull) animals to auctions or slaughter as depicted in Figure 2. Non-lactating 

young stock (heifer/bull calves and replacement heifers) may be moved off farm for rearing and the heifers returned 

to the operation by calving or before. Some dairy operations sell bull calves shortly after birth; others will raise them 

to weaning and sell them or keep them as fed steers on farm if feed and facilities are available. Dairy bull calves can 

either enter the veal market or be fed out as steers. Along with market (cull) cows, dairy bull/steer beef comprises 20%

of the beef market in the United States. A small percent of dairy bulls are retained for natural breeding purposes or 

raised as breeding bulls and shipped singly or in groups to dairies throughout the U.S. Some high genetic merit bulls 

may be moved to a reproductive center for semen collection. Adult cows with reproductive merit can be moved to 

embryo transfer facilities. Animals of all ages may move off farm to fairs, shows (return to farm) or can also be sold 

to other operations (via private sale or purebred auctions) or auction markets.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 4 of 70

Figure 2. Animal Movement On and O Dairy Operations

Market

Animals

Bred 

Heifers

Dry 

Cows

Breeding Bulls

Heifer

Calves

Pre-fresh

Cows

Bull

Calves

Newborn calves can be moved to facilities which will rear them for various timeframes (ownership may or may 

not be retained). These facilities may raise just heifer calves, just bull calves or both. Off-site rearing facilities raise 

calves through weaning, up to breeding, or just before calving (for heifers) depending upon their business model and 

clients’ needs. There are various levels of record keeping for these movements. Regulations require that animals 

moved out of state must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) serving as a record of 

animal movement unless moving to slaughter. In-state movements, especially those without a change in ownership or

management, are not as commonly documented. Calf ranches in the western and southern U.S. can receive animals 

from dozens of states and may include feedlot facilities that also receive Mexican cattle. Midwest heifer raisers 

receive calves from western dairies, as well as Midwest operations. Eastern calf raisers typically receive calves from 

east of the Mississippi River. On any given day, you can find calves from multiple states on one given calf/heifer 

facility. With the decrease in required brucellosis vaccinations for heifers in many states, animal movement records 

and accountability have decreased in recent decades and data for actual movement numbers are unavailable.

In the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) 

Dairy 2007 study conducted by USDA, 97% of all dairy operations

reported they had some replacement animals enter the lactating herd 

in 2006. The replacements could have been heifers raised on-farm, 

retained ownership heifers raised off-site, as well as purchased 

animals from throughout the U.S. and Canada. In this same study, 

11.5% of all replacement heifers in the U.S. were raised off-farm, 

the majority of which were commingled with animals from multiple 

sources during rearing. Almost 40% of all dairy operations introduced 

at least one new animal from an off-farm source during 2006, with 

lactating dairy cows being the most frequently introduced (13.8%). 

Some segments of the dairy industry are very mobile with animal 

movements occurring with or without documentation. It is likely to 

be challenging in a highly contagious FAD outbreak to rapidly identify potentially exposed animals and quickly contain disease spread.

Source: 

•	 NAHMS Dairy 2007 Part I: Reference of dairy cattle health and 

management practices in the United States, 2007. US Department 

of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: Veterinary Services, Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, accessed 

Sep 14, 2008 at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nahms/dairy/

dairy07/Dairy2007_PartI.pdf

USDA NAHMS Dairy 2007 Study

• Lactating cows 13.8%

40.0%

11.5%

97.0%

At least one new animal

Replacements raised o-site

Introduced replacement animals
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 5 of 70

1.2.2 Diverse Workforce

Farm workers who speak English as a second (or third) language are employed on dairies throughout the United 

States. These workers may have recently arrived in the U.S. and live in communal arrangements with employees 

from other dairies or other livestock operations. Cultural and language differences may present a communication 

barrier and hinder response efforts in the event of a highly contagious foreign animal disease outbreak. Some workers

may be skeptical and afraid of government officials and could complicate containment efforts if they leave the 

operation or area. As a regulatory official or someone tasked with visiting an operation, effective communication with 

all involved will be necessary to conduct the disease investigation or to carry out eradication efforts. Awareness of the

workforce in a given community and establishing relationships prior to an outbreak can help build trust. This should 

be a focus of preparedness efforts at the local level. Understanding some general concepts about the dairy workforce,

which in the U.S. consists of Anglo-Americans, people of Hispanic descent, Portuguese, South Americans, South Africans, Eastern Europeans, and immigrants from the Netherlands, can help establish a successful working relationship.

Some employees may not be comfortable with communicating with officials, so identifying the primary facility manager 

is important. Working with that person to communicate tasks to the other employees can help with acceptance and with 

coordination of the work. A translator can be very beneficial to overcome language and cultural barriers. If language barriers still exist, demonstrating concepts or tasks can be helpful. Having a variety of educational tools, the more visual the 

better (pictures, videos, demonstrations), can be an effective way of communicating. Being aware of ethnic and cultural 

differences is critical for effective communication so that disease prevention practices can be implemented.

Depending on the highly contagious FAD, strategies to control its spread could include mass depopulation of 

infected animals and subsequent disposal on farm or in the community. Farm workers, owners, and outside labor 

may be directly involved in this process. Workers and owners may not be prepared to deal with the loss of animals 

that have been a part of their lives and a source of livelihood. Returning to an empty farm in subsequent days/weeks 

may also be another psychologically upsetting situation. Providing a support network for owners and their workers, 

again in an ethnically and culturally acceptable format, needs to be part of preparedness plans at the local level.

1.2.3 Business Continuity

The dairy industry relies on continuous animal and product movement (animals

to/from the facility, feed delivery, supply delivery, milk to processing plants, 

animals to slaughter) as part of their normal business structure. In the event 

a highly contagious foreign animal disease is diagnosed in the U.S., stop 

movement orders may be implemented until an investigation can identify the 

infected, suspect and at-risk premises. This could involve a local community, 

an entire state or a large region of the country. During this time, dairy operations 

with uninfected animals will need to ensure the animals in their care continue 

to receive the necessary items to make sure they are fed, watered, healthy, and 

comfortable. If traffic flow is disrupted, milk movement off farm may not occur 

and plans for dealing with this situation should be discussed with processors 

prior to an event. Preparedness plans at the farm level, with suppliers, milk 

processors and state officials are essential to ensure animal welfare needs are 

met and milk movement returns as quickly as possible.

In order for business, which involves animal, people and milk movement, to

continue, uninfected dairy operations in the Control Area (see Section 6. Designation of Zones, Areas and Premises) will need to cooperate with regulatory 

officials on many levels. The first critical control point for the business is biosecurity. The facility also needs to document they are not ‘at-risk’ of exposure to 

the highly contagious FAD. Records of animal movement, people movement, 

supplies received, milk pickup details, as well as documented cleaning and disinfection protocols are some examples of 

what will be needed to verify exposure status. Once that is complete, surveillance will be implemented to monitor the 

infection status of the animals through visual exams and diagnostic testing. For animals or milk to be moved, demonstrating negligible risk for the spread of the disease of concern is vital. This could be done through risk assessments or 

surveillance and diagnostic testing, if available. Permitting is the final step in the process. If the animals or milk needs to 

move to another in-state facility, this would involve the state officials for the farm of origin. If it is an interstate movement, officials from the origin and destination state, along with all states in between will need to be in agreement with 
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 6 of 70

the movement. This is a difficult decision and one that will be considered fully; information provided by the dairy 

operation will aid in this effort. Business must continue to ensure the welfare of the animals, the livelihood of the 

producers caring for them, an outlet for milk products, and product availability to consumers, while ensuring that highly 

contagious FAD transmission will not occur. Record keeping, transparency, and cooperation on all levels will be vital.

1.3 Milk Production

1.3.1 Regulations/Inspections

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides the regulatory oversight of all milk produced for commercial sale 

in the United States. The FDA, in combination with the U.S. Public Health Service, publishes the Pasteurized Milk 

Ordinance (PMO) which is the guideline that all 50 states have adopted as their regulation for the production of Grade A 

(fluid grade) milk and milk products. All fluid milk for commercial sale is Grade A which is produced and processed under rigid sanitary regulations in approved and inspected facilities. The USDA (under the guidance of FDA) assists states 

in establishing regulations for Grade B (manufacturing grade) milk. Grade B is also produced and processed under sanitary conditions, although less strict than Grade A, and can only be used in manufactured products like cheese or butter.

State regulatory agencies license dairy operations in their state. Annual inspections of dairy farms are conducted 

by the state or local agencies approved by the state. State employed inspectors ensure milk is collected on farm in 

a manner that promotes disease control, appropriate handling/storage of antibiotics, animal welfare, and food safety 

but they do not monitor animal health status. Contact information for all dairies that market milk in a State is kept by 

the licensing agency, typically the State Department of Agriculture or State Department of Health. This information 

may also be obtained from the dairy processing facilities.

Raw milk transported from the dairy to the milk processing plant is carried 

in large bulk milk tankers with up to 8000 gallon capacity. The bulk milk 

hauler must be licensed by the State regulatory agency to perform the duties 

of measuring, sampling, pumping, and transporting milk. Haulers are evaluated at least once every two years to ensure they follow proper protocols and 

procedures as established by FDA. Milk haulers must possess a permit from 

the state(s) where milk is collected and sampled. One milk tanker can pick up 

one farm or as many as needed to fill the tanker before returning to the milk 

processing facility for delivery.

Source: 

•	 Bulk Milk Haulers Training Manual, Wisconsin Dept of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection accessed July 3, 2009 

at http://datcp.state.wi.us/fs/licenses/bmw&s_manual.pdf

1.3.2 Transportation Methods and Protocols 

Milk stored on farm in bulk tanks is picked up every other day, once a day or multiple times per day based on milk 

production and storage capability. Upon arrival of the bulk milk hauler, the following steps occur:

Read Milk Temperature Attach Hose Record Milk Weight

1. Bulk tank is opened and the milk’s odor evaluated. 

2. Temperature of the bulk tank is read and recorded (the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance states milk must be between 

40° and 45°F [4.4-7.2°C] within 2 hours of milking – industry standards prefer a lower temperature of 36-40°F 

[2.2-4.4°C]).
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 7 of 70

3. Milk hose connected to truck is brought through port opening into milk room and attached to bulk tank.

- Milk weight is determined using calibration instrument specific to bulk tank and recorded on weight ticket 

 on farm, along with milk haulers name, license, time of sampling, temperature of milk, date of pick-up.

4. Milk is agitated and sample collected in a labeled container, placed in a cooler and later delivered to milk 

processing plant for antibiotic screening and components analysis. 

5. Milk is pumped from bulk tank into tanker and hose disconnected when done.

- Hose remains on farm and is sanitized with the rest of the equipment. OR

- Hose is capped and placed in storage compartment on truck until used to unload milk on the next farm or 

 to be cleaned and sanitized at the milk processing plant.

6. Bulk tank is rinsed with water.

Place Sample in Cooler Disconnect Hose Rinse Tank

A universal sampling system requires that samples are collected every time milk is picked up at the farm, permitting the 

Regulatory Agency to analyze samples collected by the bulk milk hauler at anytime without giving notice to the industry.

1.3.3 Viability of Product

Grade “A” raw milk and milk products for pasteurization or aseptic processing must be cooled to 50°F (10°C) or 

less within four hours or less from the start of the first milking and to 45°F (7.2°C) or less within two hours after 

the completion of milking. Bulk milk tanks on farm should be emptied at least every 72 hours.

Pasteurization of milk reduces the number of pathogens found in milk; however it does not sterilize it. Temperatures and 

holding times are specific for each pasteurization method (Table 3). High temperature, short time (HTST) pasteurization 

is the most common method because it allows for large quantities of milk to be pasteurized in a timely manner. With the 

exception of ultra-pasteurization and aseptic milk processing, different pasteurization techniques produce very similar 

results. When utilizing vat pasteurization, it is important to verify that the product was held at the minimum pasteurization 

temperature for 30 minutes. This time period should not include vat filling, preheating, emptying, or cooling steps/times.

Source: 

•	 2007 FDA Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) 2007, Food and Drug Administration website accessed June 9, 2009 

	 at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/MilkSafety/NationalConferenceonInterstateMilk

ShipmentsNCIMSModelDocuments/PasteurizedMilkOrdinance2007/default.htm

On Farm Processing Plant

Table 3. Pasteurization 

Time, Temperature

Time

30 minutes

15 seconds

1.0 second

0.5 seconds

0.1 seconds

0.05 seconds

0.01 seconds

Temperature

201°F (94°C)

191°F (89°C)

145°F (63°C)

Vat pasteurization

161°F (72°C)

HTST pasteurization

194°F (90°C)

204°F (96°C)

212°F (100°C)
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 8 of 70

1.4 Disease Traceability in Dairy Cattle

Dairy animal traceability is used as part of health management plans (treatments and vaccinations), tracking reproductive status, and recording cattle inventory on many dairy operations. There are different forms of cattle traceability 

used (described below) and a uniform system for identifying all U.S. dairy cattle on farms does not exist. Record 

keeping systems vary by operation too, from chalk/white boards to hand written paper documents to computerized 

software programs. In the event of a disease outbreak, dairy animal disease traceability can play a key role in disease 

surveillance, control, eradication, and continuity of business.

As defined by the World Organization for Animal Health (Office 

International des Epizooties or OIE), animal traceability means “the 

ability to follow an animal or group of animals during all stages 

of life”. During an animal disease emergency event, it may be 

necessary to locate the source of the animal(s) in question, the other 

premises on which the animal(s) resided, other animals that were 

exposed, and animals at risk of exposure. However, most U.S. dairy 

operations may not have this information readily available, slowing 

response time. Producers are encouraged to document animal movements using on-farm records to expedite disease investigations. 

A variety of cattle identification methods exist on U.S. dairy 

operations. Individual animal identification methods for dairy 

cattle include ear tags, which may be a radio frequency identification (RFID) button tag, a plastic dangle tag, and/or a metal 

brucellosis vaccination tag in the right ear. In herds that do not 

vaccinate calves for brucellosis, a metal ‘bright’ tag can be placed 

in the right ear and serves as an official form of identification in 

cattle. Licensed veterinarians can obtain these tags from their 

State. The plastic dangle tags may be marked with homemade 

numbers, pre-printed through a commercial source, or purchased 

from a registered breed association. Some operations utilize neck 

collars for lactating cattle with radio frequency transponders that 

are read by a specialized reader in the parlor to record milk production data or interface with automatic feeders. Young animals 

on farm (calves, pre-breeding age) may or may not be individually 

identified. On farm records of the identification numbers may be 

kept for inventory or movement purposes; some farms may not 

keep accurate, up-to-date records. While not unique to the farm 

or the animal, animals that have received a brucellosis vaccine 

should have a tattoo in their right ear. Some purebred cattle will 

have a unique registration number tattooed in their left ear. 

Individual identification is required for interstate commerce and 

cattle moving to harvest. To review all official forms of identification, see the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 9, Chapter I, Part 

71.18 Individual identification of certain cattle	2	years of age or

over for movement in interstate commerce.

For more information about the USDA’s cooperative approach 

with States and Tribal Nations about animal disease traceability, 

visit the USDA Animal Disease Traceability website: 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/traceability/ 

Source:

•	 OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code 2009, Glossary, accessed 

February 5, 2010 at: http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mcode/en_ 

	 glossaire.htm#terme_systeme_d_identification_des_animaux	

Orange Brucellosis Ear Tags 

and Bright Ear Tags

Dangle Tag, Metal Breed Registry Tag 

Dangle Tag, Neck Collar

Dangle Tag, RFID Button Tag
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 9 of 70

2. LIFE STAGES AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY NEEDS

There are typically two groups of dairy animals on an operation at any one time: lactating and non-lactating (dry 

cows, bulls, and young stock). Some operations will solely focus on lactating cows, working with off-site rearing 

operations to raise their young stock to post-weaning, breeding age, early bred, or just before calving. In general, 

replacement heifers and bulls should be housed away from adult cattle and in spaces that are suited to their age, 

size, feed intake, and reproductive needs. Bull calves are typically sold at an early age, pre-weaning, or just after 

weaning unless they are kept as breeding stock or castrated and fed out as steers. Bulls kept for breeding on farm 

can be dangerous and unpredictable; pens with bulls are not often marked or a bull(s) may be in the pens with 

milking cows and function to “clean-up” and breed cows that were missed with artificial insemination. Heightened 

awareness of surroundings when working cattle pens with breeding bulls in necessary for everyone’s safety. The 

following sections describe the life stages and husbandry needs for the various life stages of dairy cattle.

2.1 Lactating

Lactating animals are the primary life stage on dairy operations. While 

lactating, cows eat different amounts of feed throughout their production 

cycle and may be separated into groups based on milk production, pregnancy 

status, or treatment needs. Likewise, heifers in their first lactation are still 

growing and have different nutrient requirements and may be housed 

separately from mature cows.

The first three weeks after calving is considered the "fresh" period where feed 

intake and milk production are increasing and the cows are most disease prone. 

The most prevalent diseases reported by producers for all cows included 

clinical mastitis (16.5%), lameness (14.0%) and infertility – not pregnant by 

150 days in milk (12.9%) as reported in NAHMS Dairy 2007 study conducted 

by USDA. Cows are typically bred between 40 and 80 days after calving, either 

through artificial insemination or with a bull on farm. Pregnancy diagnosis is 

performed via rectal palpation, either manually or with the assistance of ultrasound. A small number of dairies utilize a commercial blood test for diagnosis. 

On average, cows will lactate 300 to 360 days. Based on milk production and/

or expected calving date, cows may be dried off (removed from the milking herd 

to cease milk production) to allow the mammary gland to involute, regenerate 

tissue, and prepare for colostrum production and subsequent lactations.

After calving, lactating cows produce colostrum (nonsaleable for human 

consumption) for the first two to three milkings (24 hours), at which time it is collected and fed to calves or sold to calf 

raisers (an off-farm disease transmission possibility). From 24 to 72 hours after calving, cows produce transition milk

which is also nonsaleable. If cows were treated at the time of dry off with antibiotics in the udder, the milk should be tested

prior to mixing with the rest of the herd’s milk in the bulk tank. Milk containing antibiotic residues cannot be sold; it is 

either discarded or fed to pre-weaned calves. Fresh cows can be milked up to six times a day depending on management. 

The rest of the lactating cows are typically milked twice daily but can be milked three to four times per day.

2.2 Dry Cows

Dry cows are not currently producing milk and are expected to calve within 30 to 60 days. During this dry period, 

the mammary gland prepares for colostrum production and their next milk production cycle (lactation). An antibiotic 

approved for use in the mammary gland may be applied at dry off to help prevent mastitis in subsequent lactations. 

Dry cows eat less feed and are usually housed separately from lactating cows on or off the premises during the dry 

period. Replacement heifers due to calve are either introduced into this group or the pre-fresh group, depending on 

management and facilities.

Cows that were recently dried off should be housed in an area that is clean and dry so that organisms are not able to 

enter the teat end, as the sphincter is not tightly closed and the keratin plug does not form for several days to weeks 

after the final milking. An absorbent, clean bedding material (straw, kiln-dried sawdust, paper) or one that allows 

drainage (sand, pasture) should be provided for the cows to lie on so that pathogens are not able to enter the teat canal. 

A teat sealant (internal or external) may also be used in an attempt to prevent entry of disease causing organisms. 
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 10 of 70

Dry cows remain together throughout this dry period, but in some operations at 3 to 4 weeks prior to calving, they 

are moved to the pre-fresh pen.

2.3 Pre-Fresh Cows

Within 3-4 weeks of their projected calving date, heifers/cows should be moved to a clean, dry area where they 

can be frequently monitored. If heifers are recently purchased or returning from an off-site rearing operation, 

competition and feed intake differences may dictate separate pens and rations for these heifers versus mature cows 

to maximize colostrum quality and ensure a healthy calf. Feed intake decreases during this time and it is important 

to provide nutrients for the near-term calf and for high quality colostrum production. Animals may be vaccinated 

during this phase. Once signs of calving are present (amniotic sac or feet visible), heifers/cows may be moved to 

an individual calving pen that is clean, well bedded, dry, and draft-free.

2.4 Calving

Dairy cows and heifers that are close to calving are often moved to special 

maternity pens (group or individual) for observation. The calving pen should 

be monitored often and the newborn calves removed promptly after birth and 

placed individually in a clean, dry, draft-free area. Deep straw bedding (1-2 feet 

ideal) in the calving pen helps drain away the birthing materials (amniotic fluid, 

placenta, and blood) and animal excrement. Deep bedding will also inhibit the 

newborn calf from standing and wandering around the pen, trying to nurse. 

Proper personal protective equipment, especially gloves, should be worn if 

assisting in the birth, particularly when handling the newborn calf and parturient 

materials/fluids due to the risk of zoonotic disease. After calving, the cow enters 

the lactating herd as a fresh animal. Newborn calves may be raised on or off-site.

Calves should be fed colostrum collected from its dam within 6 hours after 

birth and consume 12-15% of their body weight. Colostrum provides the 

essential antibodies needed for immunity in calves. Prior to colostrum collection,

the udder and teats should be clean and dry to ensure the colostrum can be 

removed without fecal or environmental contamination. Large breed calves 

(90+ pounds) should receive 4 quarts in the first 6 hours after birth, and small 

breed calves (50-90 pounds) should receive 3 quarts. All calves should receive 

another 2 quarts 12 hours after birth. If the calf will not nurse a bottle, esophageal feeders can be used. This equipment should be thoroughly washed with 

warm soapy water after use, thoroughly rinsed and hung up to dry in an area where it will not become contaminated. 

Colostrum sources could be solely from the dam, pooled from cows’ onsite, purchased from other premises or as 

pre-packaged colostrum substitute. Some operations have the ability to pasteurize colostrum prior to feeding. Some 

dairies will pool the milk produced during the first 72 hours and feed it indiscriminately to all calves or sour the milk 

and feed it throughout the pre-weaning phase. Highly contagious FAD transmission to pre-weaned calves could occur 

from pooling colostrum/transition milk on farm and purchasing colostrum/transition milk from another premises.

Source: 

•	 Calf Nutrition in Raising Dairy Replacements, Hoffman P.C. and Plourd R. Eds. Midwest Plan Service, 2003: pp 22-23

2.5 Replacement Animals

The majority of heifer calves are raised as replacements for the dairy industry and a small percentage of dairy heifers may 

be marketed for beef production. In the NAHMS Dairy 2007 study conducted by USDA, 36% of the dairy cow inventory 

was replaced over the previous year. For a dairy operation to replace 36% of their animals every year, a 500 cow dairy 

would need 15 heifers entering the milking herd every month to remain a 500 cow operation. Dairies can develop heifers 

on farm, privately contract to have the heifers developed off farm at other sites while retaining ownership, or sell the heifers either privately or at public dairy sales. Animal movement on and off farm is a part of dairying in the United States.

Source: 

•	 NAHMS Dairy 2007 Part III: Reference of dairy cattle health and management practices in the United States, 2007. 

US Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: Veterinary Services, Center for Epidemiology 

and Animal Health, accessed Mar 6, 2009 at http://nahms.aphis.usda.gov/dairy/dairy07/Dairy2007_PartIII_rev.pdf
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 11 of 70

A heifer’s development can be broken down into five stages, which can occur on one or multiple premises: Preweaning (0-2 months), weaned (3-8 months), pre-breeding (9-12 months), bred (13-22 months or older), and prefresh (23-24 months or older). Depending on State regulations and management practices, there may or may not be 

any official documents or producer records for the movement of these animals.

2.5.1 Pre-Weaned (0-2 Months)

Pre-weaned calves are housed in individual hutches or pens, calf hotels, or 

small groups and fed milk replacer, soured milk, pasteurized or unpasteurized 

whole milk, while being introduced to solid feed (calf starter). Milk or milk 

replacer is offered in bottles, small buckets twice a day, or offered continuously 

in group feeding systems to ensure adequate nutrition and growth. Proper 

mixing of the milk replacer is critical for calf health and nutrition. If milk is 

pasteurized, time and temperature of the batch should be frequently monitored 

to ensure proper destruction of pathogens. Unpasteurized milk poses a risk 

for disease transmission.

Pre-weaned calves are the most disease susceptible age group on the farm 

and should be fed/handled before the older animals to minimize pathogen 

spread. If this cannot be done, clothing and footwear should be changed and 

hands washed before working with pre-weaned calves. A mortality rate of 

pre-weaned heifers was 7.8% in 2006, based on the USDA NAHMS Dairy 

2007 study, with scours/diarrhea and respiratory problems being the cause 

most reported by producers. Proper personal protective equipment such 

as gloves, coveralls, and boots should be worn when feeding and handling 

neonatal calves. Milk bottles used to feed these animals should be removed 

after nursing and the nipples and bottle rinsed with water to remove all organic 

material, washed in hot water (150oF) with mild detergent, rinsed, inverted 

and allowed to dry completely before the next feeding. Milk buckets should 

be rinsed after all the milk is consumed to remove the residue and refilled with 

fresh, clean water until the next milk feeding. Calf starter should not build up in 

the buckets as it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and insects.

Source: 

•	 NAHMS Dairy 2007 Part I: Reference of dairy cattle health and management practices in the United States, 2007. US 

Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: Veterinary Services, Center for Epidemiology and 

Animal Health, accessed Sep 14, 2008 at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nahms/dairy/dairy07/Dairy2007_PartI.pdf

2.5.2 Weaned (3-8 Months)

Weaned heifers are often raised from 3 to 8 months in a group housing 

environment with dry bedding, shade, fresh feed, and water. First groupings 

should be small, up to six animals, with 25-30 square feet per head. The 

calves are fed and watered from communal sources and as animals adjust to 

their new environment, group sizes may be increased.

Vaccinations are essential at this time because maternal antibody from the 

colostrum has waned. Based on the USDA NAHMS Dairy 2007 study, 1.8% 

of weaned heifers died in 2006, with respiratory problems being the primary 

cause reported by producers. A basic protocol to protect against common respiratory diseases and clostridial diseases should be based on endemic diseases, future breeding goals and transportation 

needs. In some cases, heifers between four and 12 months of age are vaccinated with RB-51 (brucellosis) by a USDA 

Accredited Veterinarian. Strategic deworming and control of external parasites should also be considered at this age.

Source: 

•	 NAHMS Dairy 2007 Part I: Reference of dairy cattle health and management practices in the United States, 2007. US 

Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: Veterinary Services, Center for Epidemiology and 

Animal Health, accessed Sep 14, 2008 at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nahms/dairy/dairy07/Dairy2007_PartI.pdf
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 12 of 70

2.5.3 Pre-Breeding (9-12 Months or Older)

This group of animals is usually raised in large group settings with communal 

feed and water. Animal handling facilities may be less than ideal to adequately 

restrain and examine individual animals. If the operation has a chute or headlocks, pre-breeding exams may be done to remove heifers that do not meet 

criteria for breeding soundness. Initial vaccinations for reproductive diseases 

that can be a problem during pregnancy are administered during this phase. 

Vaccinations for common respiratory diseases are often boostered at this 

stage. Gestation is approximately 280 days and age at breeding is often based 

on calving at 23-25 months of age; this will vary by operation. Dairies in 

northern climates may breed heifers at an older age so as to avoid calving in 

the coldest winter months (January, February). Likewise, dairies in hot climates often delay breeding to avoid having 

heifers calving in the heat of summer (July, August).

2.5.4 Bred to Pre-Fresh (13-22 Months or Older)

This group of animals is typically raised in large group settings with communal feed and water. Animal handling 

facilities may be less than ideal to adequately restrain and examine individual animals. The operation may have a head 

catch and gate, a portable chute or headlocks used for vaccinations, artificial insemination, and treatments. Early in this 

phase, prior to breeding (13 to 16 months), heifers may be booster vaccinated to prevent reproductive diseases that cause 

abortion. Heifers may be synchronized to come into heat at a specific time and bred naturally by bulls on farm or by 

artificial insemination. The same cautions apply to entering pens with bulls as described in the section

Life Stages and Animal Husbandry Needs. As bred heifers get closer to parturition (within six weeks), they may be 

vaccinated against pathogens that cause mastitis and calf scours in order to pass immunity to the calf through colostrum.

Throughout this phase, heifers should be monitored daily for signs of illness and/or abortion. If an animal should 

abort, promptly remove her and her fetus along with all other birthing material, wearing proper personal protective 

equipment, especially gloves. A cow/heifer that aborts may or may not begin to lactate, depending on the stage of 

her gestation when she aborted.

One to two months prior to calving, heifers should be moved to the premises where they will be milked with the rest 

of the herd. Based on their expected calving date, they may be group housed with the dry cows or pre-fresh cows. 

Upon signs of calving, heifers should be moved to a calving pen.

3. DAIRY FACILITIES

Dairy cattle can be housed in a variety of ways. Size of herd, climate, and available good quality pasture all factor 

into the type of housing. Different housing types may be present on the same facility for different life stages. Older 

facilities may have been retrofitted or added onto as the herd expands. Typically facility type is based on climate, 

capital investment, labor requirement, and management expertise. The key to good dairy animal care depends more 

on the producer’s ability to properly manage housing than it does on the specific type of housing provided.

3.1 Lactating Cattle

3.1.1 Tie Stall, Stanchion

Tie stalls and stanchions barns are common facility types for dairy farms that 

typically have less than 100 dairy cows. They consist of a covered barn, often 

with solid walls with windows or fans for ventilation (wall-mounted or at one 

end for tunnel ventilation) with rows of individual stalls for cows currently producing milk. A tether system is used to keep each cow in her stall; either the cow 

wears a loose-fitting collar around her neck and is loosely chained to the front 

of the stall (tie-stall) or there is a movable head catch at the front of the stall that 

restrains the cow around her neck (stanchion). There are feeding areas, or mangers, in front of every cow and a drinking cup at every stall or every other stall. 

Feed is delivered to this manger by hand (cart and pitch fork/shovel, bucket with 

a scoop) or using an automated feed cart for dispensing the forage and grain. During good weather, cattle are often turned 

out into a dirt lot, cement, or pasture area. Outdoor centralized feed bunks, covered or uncovered, and automatic water 

troughs are generally located in an area near the barn where the cows can be fed during warmer times of the year.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 13 of 70

Cows are usually milked in the tie stalls or stanchions via portable milking units. Running the length of the stalls is 

an overhead milk pipeline and vacuum line with ports where a connector from the collection hose on the milking 

unit is attached. The vacuum line provides the vacuum or negative pressure to move milk from the milking unit on 

the cow to the pipeline and receiver jar, where it is then pumped to the bulk tank.

Stalls may be lined with rubber mats, cow mattresses, waterbeds, or filled with sand. The goal is to provide a soft 

surface for cows to lie on and bedded with a material that does not enhance organism growth and keeps the cows 

clean, dry, and comfortable. Bedding includes materials such as sand, wood shavings, shredded newspaper, straw, or 

other absorbent materials. The stalls should be groomed with shovels or rakes to remove manure and urine buildup 

at every milking and fresh bedding added frequently. Manure is manually scraped from the stalls into a conveyer at 

the back end of the stall (gutter). There are many moving parts in the manure conveyor system and people in the area 

should be made aware of the risk of injury should they accidentally step or reach into the gutter while it is operating. Manure is moved to the end of the barn where it can be piled on a cement pad or directly loaded into a manure 

spreader. Manure can then be spread on farmland or composted then spread or sold. For sanitary reasons, the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance recommends removal of the manure piles every four days. Records of manure movement to 

crop ground may/may not be available.

3.1.2 Grazing

Grazing is primarily found in herds under 500 dairy cows, although many 

dairy herds utilize pasture as a source of feed and exercise when the climate 

allows. Cows spend their time in between milkings on grass and forage-based 

pastures. There may or may not be a feed bunk in the pasture depending 

on the quality of the grasses and the need for supplemental feeding to meet 

nutritional needs of lactation. Wildlife interactions with grazing herds are not 

uncommon. Watering sources vary within this production method. There may 

be a natural stream in the pasture, automatic waterers may be set up near the 

fence lines, well water may be the primary source, or multiple livestock tanks 

that require manual filling multiple times per day. Cattle are moved to a 

covered milking facility through other pastures or dirt paths. Fencing is usually 

a series of high tensile wires, not permanent, so that it can be moved based on 

the growth patterns of the grasses. This method is used throughout the United States, but in northern climates it can 

only be utilized 4-5 months of the year. These animals are typically housed in tie-stall/stanchion or bedded pack barns 

the remainder of the year. Manure is allowed to remain in the pastures as a fertilizer, letting the sun dry it out.

3.1.3 Loose Housing (Bedded Pack and/or Compost, Free Stalls, Cross-Ventilated)

Loose housing facilities can be found on dairies with 30 head to tens of thousands. There are many different building 

designs, each with the same result of housing cows in one area (or a number of barns) and moving them to a centralized 

milking parlor verses milking cows where they are housed. Cattle generally travel on grooved concrete alleys to the milking parlor. Centralized parlors allow for more efficient harvest of milk with less bending and movement of equipment.

Bedded pack barns use compost, sand, or deep straw/corn stalks as the bedding 

source and when properly managed, serve as a clean, dry, comfortable place 

for animals to lie down. Compost barns are bedded pack barns where bedding 

is typically 8-12” deep. Recommended space requirements are 80 square feet 

per animal. Large side-wall openings or wall curtains with fans throughout the 

free-stall or bedded pack/compost barn provide ventilation. A cooling mechanism found in hotter climates is water misters/spray nozzles installed above 

the feed bunk to wet the cows’ backs as they eat. They are typically connected 

to a thermometer and when the ambient temperature reaches a set degree, 

they turn on for a period of time (60-90 seconds on every 5 minutes is common). When combined with air movement, evaporative cooling can be very 

effective for cattle. Separate misters that spray fly repellent may also be found over the feed bunk areas. People working 

in this area should be aware of the misters; fly spray can irritate human nostrils and eyes.

Free stall buildings can have multiple rows of stalls in the barn where the cattle freely enter and exit the stalls. These 

facilities may have headlocks along the feed bunk to restrain the animals for examination or sample collection. 
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 14 of 70

Barns without headlocks may have a management rail near the parlor where multiple animals can be lined up at an 

angle for pregnancy examination. Individual animal restraints are not part of this management rail. Some operations 

may have a dedicated chute for handling individual animals.

Depending on the facility, stocking density may plan for one or more cow(s) per stall (number of cows divided by 

number of stalls should not exceed 1.2) which could be bedded with sand, wood shavings, shredded newspaper 

or other bedding materials to help keep the cows clean, dry, and comfortable. Some operations have deep bedded 

stalls and others have mattresses in the stalls with bedding covering the surface. Cattle housed in stalls lacking 

adequate bedding may have abrasions on their hocks (missing hair to swollen joints).

Cross-ventilated barns can have multiple (8-16) rows of free stalls. The walls 

are solid on the sides with one end having inlets with cooling cells and the other 

multiple fans. During hot weather months, air is drawn into the building by the 

fans through the cooling cells, and a series of ceiling baffles creates an air movement pattern depositing cooled air on the cows in the pens. In cool months, air 

movement continues via the fans and baffles but without the cooling cells.

The feed alley can be located in the center, along one side of the building, or in 

front of each pen in cross-ventilated barns. The feed wagon delivers feed to the 

manger one to multiple times per day. Cows are prevented from stepping into 

the feed manger by a curb and neck rail or headlocks. Automatic waterers should 

be located in the alleyways of each pen; there may be additional automatic water troughs in the parlor return lane(s).

When the cows are moved to the parlor, stalls should be groomed and re-bedded as needed or on a schedule. A tractor 

with a grooming tool is used to work the bedded pack. Manure handling systems vary from front-end loaders with 

a blade or rubber tire that scrapes the manure in the alleys to a central location for removal, automatic scrapers that 

run on a pulley system and move manure to the end of the alleys multiple times a day, water flush systems using 

gravity flow to wash the excrement down the length of the barn into an underground storage system, or vacuum 

trucks to suck up the manure into a holding tank and later deposit it into the storage system. Compost barns should 

be groomed two to three times per day, usually during milking, to turn over the top wet layer to aid in drying; new 

bedding is added as needed. Bedded packs should be completely emptied when the grooming can no longer provide 

a dry place for cows to lie down. This is also dictated by the time of year when it can be hauled to crop ground.

3.1.4 Dry Lot

Dry lots are most often located in warmer, low humidity climates and dairy 

cow numbers often exceed 500 head. Cows are raised on dirt lots with shade 

being provided by awnings or canopies. Cooling cells that spray water on 

cows’ backs may be found under the canopies for additional heat abatement. 

The dry lots are separated by concrete or gravel alleys used for farm traffic.

The feed wagon delivers feed one to multiple times per day to a long concrete 

manger/bunk on the edges of the dry lot. Cows are prevented from stepping 

into the feed manger by a curb and neck rail or headlocks. Protective covers 

over the feeders may be present for shade and to keep the feed dry when it 

rains. A cooling mechanism found in hotter climates is water misters/spray 

nozzles installed at the feed bunk to wet the cows’ backs as they eat. They 

are typically connected to a thermometer and when the ambient temperature 

reaches a set degree, they turn on for a period of time (60-90 seconds on 

every 5 minutes is common).

Automatic waterers are located in each pen; there may be additional 

automatic water troughs in the parlor return lane(s). The milking parlor is 

a covered structure, generally centrally located to all the lots, so the cattle 

are moved through the lots and up alleyways to be milked, returning by a 

separate set of alleyways. Water misters may also be installed over the exit 

lanes to wet the cows’ backs.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 15 of 70

The lots are groomed using a tractor and drag system a few times a week to multiple times per day when the cows 

are being milked. Manure is spread out so that the sun can dry it. Depending on weather conditions and animal density, 

lots may be scraped so that the top layer of dirt and excrement is removed. Manure storage options vary.

3.2 Calves (On-Farm, Custom Growers, Ranches)

Calves born on a dairy farm can either remain there for their entire life or be 

moved off-site to be raised. Length of time at an off-site operation will vary 

from shortly after birth returning at weaning, or returning for breeding, after 

breeding, or just before calving. Proper calf management requires considerable labor, appropriate housing, and is the second most costly enterprise on 

dairy operations. Terms that describe these off-site rearing facilities will vary 

by region of the U.S. and by the type of rearing provided. Collectively, they 

all rely on animal movement and in some cases, milk movement as a feed 

source. Off-site rearing operations are a vital part of the dairy industry and 

need to be considered in State high consequence animal disease plans.

Some dairy operations sell bull calves shortly after birth. Management style, market price, and available housing on the 

dairy operation generally dictate whether bull calves are kept or sold. Some off-site calf operations may focus solely on

raising bull calves which may be processed as veal or go into feedlots and fed until slaughter weight as finished steers.

In the western and southwestern U.S., the terms calf nurseries and calf ranches or heifer ranches describe the off-site 

rearing operations that specialize in raising dairy calves to weaning, breeding, or just prior to calving. They may 

raise just heifer calves, just bull calves, or a mixture. Dairies may contract with calf ranches to pick up their calves 

daily, or every other day, along with nonsaleable milk. Additionally, "calf runners" provide the service of picking up, 

assembling, and delivering groups of calves to calf nurseries/ranches. All of these movements could be sources of 

transmission in a highly contagious FAD outbreak. Nurseries/ranches can be very large with well over 10,000 head 

at one location.Some ranches accept hundreds of animals a day from premises located in multiple states.

Throughout the rest of the U.S., the terms heifer raisers or growers describe the off-site rearing operations that 

specialize in raising dairy calves to weaning, breeding, or just prior to calving. Heifer raisers may raise calves for 

one specific dairy or multiple dairies, picking calves up as needed by the dairy operation. Some dairy operations 

transport their own calves to and from the developer for biosecurity reasons. The dairy may or may not provide 

nonsaleable milk for feeding to calves.

Some off-site rearing operations also house feedlot cattle from multiple sources that may have contact (shared 

equipment or nose-to-nose) with heifers returning to the dairy operation. This is a potential source of transmission 

in a highly contagious FAD outbreak.

3.2.1 Individual (Hutches, Hotels)

Newborn calves are susceptible to disease and need close monitoring during 

their first days of life. Individual housing, either hutches or hotels, should 

prevent close contact between newborn animals. Hutches can be made of 

plastic (easier to clean) in a dome or rectangle shape, or wood (less expensive, 

harder to clean) as single units. Hotels are typically made of wood with 3 to 5 

individual units side by side. Calves can be kept inside the hutch or allowed 

to exit on a tether with a loose fitting collar or fenced in with wire-mesh 

panels. Fresh bedding should be added daily or as needed to keep a clean, dry, 

comfortable place for the calf to lie down.

For hutches or pens located outside, adequate shade and ventilation is necessary to avoid heat stress and dehydration 

of the calf during warm months. Calf hutches or hotels should be cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected between introductions of new calves to minimize disease spread. The ground underneath the calf hutch has the potential to harbor 

pathogens; organic bedding should be removed with the ground/concrete/gravel remaining idle with sunlight exposure.

Calves are fed milk (raw, pasteurized) or milk replacer via bottle or bucket in the hutch using a bottle/bucket holder 

or out in the pen if fenced or tethered in a hutch/dome. Calves can be introduced to solid feed by 2-3 days of age in 
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 16 of 70

a bucket.Calves should have access to fresh water daily. In cold weather months, warm/tepid water offered after the 

milk feeding is often readily consumed prior to freezing in the buckets or bottles.

3.2.2 Group Housing

Some operations utilize group housing for pre-weaned calves. Calves are offered milk through an automated calf 

feeder that mixes milk replacer and water and dispenses milk. Another option for feeding large groups of calves are 

gang or mob-feeders which typically consists of a 50 gallon barrel with multiple nipples along its base that allows all 

calves in a pen to nurse at one time.

Some operations may wait and group house once calves have become accustomed to eating solid feed. Pens should 

be sized for 4-6 calves of similar age with adequate resting space for each calf. This small group size allows for 

easy observation of calf conditions as well as the ability to take quick action to maintain healthy calves. Fresh water 

should always be readily available and solid feed offered. Dirty bedding should be removed often and clean bedding 

added regularly to provide a clean and dry place for calves to lie down. Once eating 1.5 to 2 pounds of solid feed for 

3 consecutive days, calves can be weaned and moved to larger group sizes.

3.3 Growing Heifers

3.3.1 Grazing

Heifers can be kept on pasture while they are growing. Pastures should be of high quality forage, typically grass, 

legume or grass-legume mix, in order to meet energy needs of the heifers to promote optimal growth and rumen 

development. Grazing can be continuous – on a single pasture for the entire season, or rotational – moving heifers to 

different paddocks on a set schedule. Natural or man-made shade should be available during warm weather months. If 

heifers are kept on pasture during cold/rainy weather months, natural or man-made windbreaks should be available.

3.3.2 Confinement

Heifers can be housed together in groups on bedded packs or in free-stall barns. Resting surface is important for 

comfort and temperature regulation. Heifers should not lie on concrete or other hard surfaces and the bedding should 

allow the hair coat to stay clean and dry and prevent hock lesions (missing hair to swollen joints). Adequate resting 

space for each heifer (20-80 square feet depending on age and size) is recommended. In bedded-pack housing, at 

least 6 inches of bedding should be maintained to cushion surfaces. The bedded-pack should be “groomed”, either 

removing manure patties or turning the bedding mechanically, allowing wet materials to drain and air flow to assist 

in drying. In free-stall barns where mats or mattresses are used as padding, a layer of bedding should be used over 

the top to prevent sores on the hocks of cattle. Walk alleys between the resting space and feeding areas should be 

designed to prevent cattle slipping and for easy manure removal.

3.3.3 Dry Lot

Heifers can also be kept on outside dry lots. Typically a dry lot will have no vegetative growth so heifers are fed in 

feed bunks and/or self-feeding hay bale holders. Natural or man-made shade should be available during warm weather 

months. Access to dry lots should be limited in wet weather due to the build-up of mud. Muddy conditions can be 

limited by using concrete pads around feeding/watering areas or creating mounds. Concrete or other hard surfaces 

should be grooved to prevent slippage and scraped regularly to avoid manure build up and maintain a good walking 

surface. Mounds help manage wet conditions by creating a raised area that dries and drains faster than the rest of the 

lot. This provides a resting space for heifers out of the mud. With dry lots, manure runoff must be managed according 

to local rules and regulations for retention and clean up.

Grazing Connement Dry Lot
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 17 of 70

3.4 Milking Systems

Milking is either done in the tie stall/stanchion using movable milking units or cows are moved to a milking parlor 

where the milking units are stationary. Dairies with less than 150 cows are often milked by the owner/operator and 

family members or some hired help. As dairies expand in size and cow numbers, milking may include employees 

that work in crews. Cows can be milked two or three times a day with fresh cows being milked up to six times per 

day. Smaller dairies may have more ‘down time’ between milkings where larger dairies only stop milking to clean 

the milking system which takes about an hour for each milking.

3.4.1 Tie Stall/Stanchion

Cows remain in the tie stalls or stanchions and are milked via portable 

milking units. Running the length of the stalls is an overhead milk pipeline 

and a separate vacuum line with ports where the connectors from the 

collection hose and vacuum line on the milking unit (claw) is attached. 

People milking the cows must bend down to place the milking unit on the 

cow from the side. The vacuum line provides the negative pressure to move 

milk from the milking unit on the cow to the pipeline where it is moved to 

the bulk tank for cooling, agitation, and storage until pick up.

The milking protocol is described in section 3.4.3. Once milking is complete, the 

vacuum is manually or automatically turned off and the milking unit removed. The milking unit is then moved to the next 

cow and the procedure repeated. Cows can be post-dipped as described below. If incorrect concentrations of dip solution 

are used, or chemicals used to clean the milking system are inadvertently used, cows can develop sores on their teat ends 

resembling ruptured vesicles. These could resemble a vesicular disease and further examination/testing is warranted. 

Please refer to the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Prevention Practices in the Appendix for more information.

3.4.2 Parlor

Milking parlors vary in design, but the flow through the parlor and milking procedures are similar. Prior to milking, 

cows are moved into a holding pen that is adjacent to the parlor where they remain until it is their turn to be milked. 

Parlors can have as few as 4 milking stalls or as many as 150. There can be stalls on one side only or a mirror image 

with a single set of milking units that swing from one side to another (referred to as a swing-over parlor) or one 

milking unit per stall. Cows are elevated so that the milking units can be placed on the udder by the people milking 

at mid-chest to shoulder height, decreasing bending. The milking unit is placed on the udder from the side (herringbone or parabone parlors) or from behind the cow (between the legs as in parallel or external rotary parlors). Cows 

enter the parlor single file and exit single file or rapidly when the front restraint bar (index rail) opens.

The area where the people milking stand is referred to as the pit because it is lower than the cows. In some parlors, 

the entire milking system is located in the pit and it can be quite loud. In newer parlors, everything but the milking 

unit (claw) and hoses are placed below the pit (basement/subway) making the parlor a quieter environment.

Rotary parlors milk the cows on a slow moving carousel. People milking cows can either be on the outside of the carousel (external) or inside the carousel (internal). The majority of carousel parlors are external rotaries where cows enter 

a milking stall at a 90 degree angle by walking forward and facing the inside of the carousel. The milking unit is placed 

on the udder from behind, in between the cow’s back legs. People milking the cows remain in one general area to prep 

the cows as they start on the carousel and hang the milking units. Other people are located where the cows exit to ensure 

the udder was milked out and apply post-dip to the teats. The carousel can be stopped at any time to attend to a cow.

Herringbone Parallel External Rotary
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 18 of 70

3.4.3 Milking Protocol 

Operations will differ in the specific protocols used for prepping 

cow’s udders prior to milking. Dairies in warmer climates may 

utilize wash pens which consist of automated water sprayers 

that come out of the floor to rinse the udder and teats. Cows then 

‘drip dry’ in the holding pen until entering the parlor for milking. 

Additional prep procedures may or may not occur, but if they 

do, they generally proceed as follows. Once cows are in a milking 

stall, the teats can be fore-stripped by hand to stimulate milk 

letdown and monitor for changes in milk appearance. Each teat 

is then cleaned with a dry towel or pre-dipped with a disinfectant 

allowing up to 15-30 seconds of contact time. Each teat is wiped 

to remove the pre-dip solution and to dry the teat before the 

milking unit is attached. Optimally the prepping process should 

take 60 to 120 seconds. The best practice is to use a new 

disposable wipe or clean washable towel on each cow and 

milkers wear gloves; this will vary by operation. It is during 

this time that teats can be examined for any lesions.

After prepping, the milking unit (claw - a set of four metal tubes 

with soft, pliable, synthetic liners) is attached, and the milk is 

removed by a pulsating vacuum that mimics the way a calf 

nurses. Milk from individual cows flow to a common milk line 

and this pooled milk flows by gravity to a receiver jar. From 

here the milk is pumped into designated stainless steel, and less 

commonly heat resistant glass, milk lines that carry the milk to 

the bulk tank to be cooled, agitated, and stored until pick up.

Once an individual cow’s milking is complete, the vacuum is 

relieved and the milking unit is removed either automatically or 

manually. The teats are usually post-dipped using an antiseptic 

solution with skin conditioners and the cows released from the 

stall. In cold weather (10°F/12.2°C or with a wind chill), post-dip 

should be allowed 30 seconds of contact time and then blotted to 

remove excess, to prevent chapping and frost bite. Cows travel 

via designated return lane(s) where water may be offered prior 

to returning to their pen to eat and lay down. Cattle should be 

encouraged to eat by offering fresh feed and drink immediately 

after milking to allow the teat sphincter to close, thus decreasing 

the potential for pathogen contamination of the udder.

For more information about milking procedures, see: Milking procedures on U.S. Dairy Operations, 2007 available 

at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nahms/dairy/dairy07/Dairy2007_MilkingProc.pdf

3.4.4 Robotic or Automatic Milking Systems (AMS)

Some dairy operations rely on robots or an automatic milking system (AMS) 

to milk their cows. Typically one AMS unit can milk 60 to 70 cows. Cows 

wear an identification collar and decide when they need to be milked. Cows 

may be milked once to six times daily. Cows walk from the pasture, dry lot 

or confinement barn to the stationary AMS unit in a small parlor area. The 

AMS will dispense feed based on the cow’s identification tag (neck collar 

with RFID or implant device) and secure her in the stall. The AMS follows 

the same sanitary prepping protocol as described above. This system utilizes 

lasers to locate the teat and place the milking unit. Cows with dark teats, 

odd shaped udders, or missing teats cannot be milked in this system. Milk is 

moved through stainless steel pipelines to the bulk tank where it is cooled, agitated, and stored until pick up.

Compost Pile

Attached Milking Unit (Claw)

Dip Cup with Iodine

Post-Dip Applied to all Teats
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 19 of 70

3.4.5 Milk Storage

Cow numbers and cost generally determine the type of bulk milk 

storage on farm. Permanent tanks (bulk tanks, milk silos) and 

direct load onto tankers are found throughout the U.S. The bulk 

tank resides in the milk house and is equipped with a cooling unit 

that, once turned on, cools the milk to 45°F within 2 hours of 

milking (usually stored at 36-40°F between milkings) and agitates 

it according to state and federal regulations. Some operations 

move the milk through a plate cooler or chiller to drop the milk 

temperature to <40°F and on some farms, load directly into a 

tanker truck. Some operations have upright milk silos to cool and 

store the milk until it is picked up. On-farm storage and handling 

of milk intended for commercial sale must follow the guidelines 

provided in the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance for public health and 

food safety reasons. Automatic bulk tank temperature readings are 

plotted on charts in the milk house and can be used to monitor raw 

milk cooling and water temperatures for cleaning.

3.4.6 Nonsaleable Milk

Nonsaleable milk that is not allowed to enter the commercial 

milk supply, usually due to antibiotic treatment or clinical mastitis, 

is collected separately and discarded, or stored and fed to dairy 

calves on or off the farm. Colostrum is also collected this way. 

Some operations group antibiotic treated or fresh cows together 

and milk them last during a milking cycle. Depending on the number 

of cows with milk being “dumped”, the milk can be collected 

into a designated bucket in the parlor or the milk pipeline can be 

diverted from the bulk storage tank to a drain or other container 

to avoid potential contamination of the salable milk.

3.4.7 Cleaning

Cleaning of dairy milking, milk storage, and processing equipment is accomplished either through an automated 

clean-in-place (CIP) system, or a combination of CIP and manual cleaning. These protocols are necessary for dairy 

premises to clean and sanitize stationary milking equipment and milk pipelines as required by state and federal regulations. CIP systems use automated cycles to clean the milking system, which include a pre-wash rinse, detergent wash, 

acid rinse, and sanitizer. These chemicals are designed to clean rubber or silicone liners, seals, and plastic hoses. Over 

time these parts will need to be replaced due to the chemical damage.

The pre-wash rinse flushes water heated between 95°– 100°F (35°– 37.8°C) through the milking system to remove 

residual organic matter from the equipment. Pre-wash water is not re-circulated in the system; it goes directly down the 

drain. The wash cycle uses a solution of hot water (160°F/71.1°C) and chlorinated-alkaline cleaner that is circulated for 

10 minutes to emulsify fat and remove protein. An acid rinse circulates (95° – 110°F [35° - 43.3°C] for 5 minutes) 

to neutralize chlorine and alkaline residues, preventing mineral deposits and to inhibit bacterial growth. Sanitizing is 

required 30 minutes prior to milking using an approved sanitizing agent to reduce the bacterial load on milking equipment.

Clean-out-of-place (COP) or manual procedures are used for non-stationary 

milking equipment that is cleaned and sanitized according to industry protocols. 

This manually-cleaned equipment is stored in clean, designated areas of the milk 

house between milkings or in designated areas of a dairy processing facility.

3.5 Feeding Systems Overview

As ruminants, cows utilize forages as a feed source. Corn silage, alfalfa 

haylage, small grain silages, legume or grass hay pastures, and baled dry 

hay comprise the main forages found on U.S. dairy operations. Corn grain, 

processed in a variety of ways, is the primary carbohydrate consumed by 

dairy cattle. Protein sources such as soybean meal, distiller’s grains, brewer’s 

Milk Silos

Bulk Tanks
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 20 of 70

grains, gluten feed, and a variety of other by-product feeds 

provide essential amino acids for milk production. Vitamin and 

mineral supplements are also necessary for dairy animals. Adult 

lactating animals can consume as much as 120 pounds of wet 

feed per day to produce 70 pounds or more of milk. Feed is the 

most expensive production cost on a dairy operation.

3.5.1 Feed Storage

Most dairy facilities rely on delivery and short-term storage of 

bulk feed ingredients for on-farm mixing with forages. Up-right 

metal bulk bins or commodity sheds (open front with a roof 

and side walls) can store grains, protein mix or complete feeds 

(those mixed at a commercial facility and delivered) on farm. In 

most cases, stored dry commodities should be used in a first-in, 

first-out manner, and new feed should not be added to or poured 

on top of older feed.

Large volumes of silage and hay are typically stored on site for 

feeding. Corn silage is harvested in the late summer or fall; alfalfa 

haylage can be harvested monthly during the growing season 

(northern climates up to four times per year; irrigated southwest 

up to 11 times). Wet forages can be stored in an upright silo, 

bunkers, piles, or in long plastic bags. If the silages become too 

acidic (improper fermentation) they can cause caustic lesions on 

the muzzle of the cows. These lesions could resemble a vesicular disease and further examination/testing is warranted. Please 

refer to the FMD Prevention Practices in the Appendix for more 

information about clinical signs of FMD in cattle.

The open face of silage must be maintained appropriately by 

removing an adequate amount each day to prevent spoilage using 

a tractor with a bucket or silage shaver. Generally, 6-12 inches 

should be removed off of the entire face each day; however, this 

will vary with weather conditions. Care must be taken when 

removing feed from large piles/bunkers. The face can become 

unstable and if piled high, the top portion could fall, crushing a 

human being or filling an open tractor cab. As feed is used, silage 

piles covered with plastic and tires (whole or half) require tire 

removal and plastic cutting. While working to remove plastic/

tires, personnel should remain 6 feet (2 meters) back from the 

edge of the silage face. Whole tires in the winter can be filled with 

snow/ice; exercise caution in removing them. Whole tires in the 

summer hold water; a perfect environment for mosquito egglaying, a risk if Rift Valley Fever (RVF) was introduced into the 

U.S. More information about RVF is available in the Appendix.

Bagged feed (minerals, vitamins, salt, buffer, milk replacer, calf 

feed) should be stored in an enclosed area to prevent rodent, fly, 

and bird access. Opened bags, especially milk replacer and calf

feed, should be stored in a container that can be sealed, such as a 

large garbage bin with a tight fitting lid.

Spilled feed attracts rodents, wildlife, fosters spoilage, and serve as 

breeding grounds for other pests. As much as is practical, spillage, 

feed access and contamination from any animals which could urinate, defecate or otherwise introduce disease should be prevented.

Upright Bulk Bins

Silage Bunker

Plastic Feed Bags

Feed Silos

Hay & Commodity Shed
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 21 of 70

3.5.2 Feed Delivery

3.5.2.1 Receiving Off-Farm Feed Products

Most dairy operations purchase a portion of their feedstuffs from outside suppliers. These can include grain, 

protein mixes, bagged feed (vitamins, minerals, milk replacers) and byproducts (whole cottonseed, distiller’s/

brewer’s grains, bakery product, potatoes). Delivery frequency will depend on on-farm storage capacity, shelf-life 

of product, and herd size. All feeds on a dairy should be evaluated for their risk of introducing and/or transmitting 

disease. Purchased feeds should be accompanied by an acceptable quality assurance program and documentation. 

This should verify that reasonable measures have been taken to protect the feed from contamination with potential 

disease-causing material, including ruminant-derived protein. If contamination is suspected, a representative sample 

of the feed should be collected and frozen for diagnostics. A delivery log should be used to track who was on farm, 

what product and where it was delivered, and previous deliveries to other operations by the same trucking company.

3.5.2.2 Feeding Animals

The type of ration fed is dependent on available feedstuffs, production style, 

and facilities. The method by which the ration is mixed, delivered, and fed to 

cows varies by management style and location in the country. In most cases, 

the mixing and feeding of dairy rations can involve multiple movements of 

feed ingredients, feed equipment, delivery trucks, and personnel on and off 

any given dairy. In all dairies, equipment used to mix or deliver feed should 

be clean and free of organic matter (feces, urine, saliva, milk).

In order to meet the high intake demands of lactating animals, feed should 

be made available 20 out of 24 hours a day as cows are sporadic eaters and 

not all will eat at the same time every day. Some operations deliver a large 

amount of feed once a day and push up feed frequently (4-6 times/day) to 

encourage consumption. During hot weather, or on operations with smaller 

feed delivery equipment, fresh feed will be delivered multiple times a day, 

often at night in hot weather. Scraping feed bunks and mangers to remove 

all old feed should be done on a regular basis to prevent consumption of 

spoiled feed. Piling new feed on top of old presents an ideal environment 

for proliferation of spoilage and disease organisms (Listeria monocytogenes,

Clostridium perfringens, and mycotoxins) during hot weather. Accumulation 

of old feed also serves as a breeding ground for flies and other pests which 

can spread disease.

Replacement animals eating forage-based rations may be offered feed daily 

or every other day, depending on herd size and proximity to feed storage. 

Monitoring feed quality and removing spoiled feed is essential for this group 

to ensure consumption of essential nutrients for growth and development.

Feed offered to cattle at ground level where people walk and drive can 

become contaminated with feces. At no time should anyone walk or drive 

through feed. Narrow openings (just wide enough for a person to pass 

through) near gates could be used so that personnel are able to enter the pens 

without climbing through the feed bunk or over fences. Again, the possibility 

of wildlife (birds), rodents, dogs, and cats introducing or spreading disease 

must be recognized, and access to feed bunks or stored feed areas minimized 

and eliminated if practically possible.

For animals on pasture, supplemental feed may need to be offered to meet 

nutrient requirements. Hay rings or wooden feed bunks will congregate animals in a small area, causing fecal 

and urine buildup. Frequent movement of the feeding area, appropriate grouping of age cohorts, and minimized 

stocking density will lessen environmental contamination. Avoid fertilizing pastures with high risk materials (noncomposted manure, possibly poultry litter), frequently drag the fields to break up fecal pats in drier climates, and avoid 

overgrazing which forces animals to graze closer to the ground and nearer to fecal pats.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 22 of 70

3.6 Bedding Overview

All life-stages of dairy animals require some form of bedding in their housing areas. Types of bedding are determined 

by life stage, geographic location of the operation, type of housing structure, manure handling system, and product 

availability/cost. Some bedding types are by-products of crops grown in the area: straw, corn stalks, bean/wheat 

stubble. If the operation has its own crop ground, these might be the most convenient and economical choices. 

Manure handling is covered later in this document, but once properly composted, dried manure can be used as a 

bedding source. Other bedding types come from purchased sources and include sand, soyhulls, ricehulls, wood 

shavings (kiln-dried), sawdust, and newspaper. A delivery log should be used to track who was on farm, what 

product and where it was delivered, and previous deliveries to other operations by the same trucking company.

4. ANIMAL MOVEMENT

Adult dairy cattle are used to daily movements 

within, to, and from their pens or pastures by 

humans. Quiet, calm handling by trained people 

is essential. Young stock may not be as accustomed to movements. Cattle tend to react to light/

dark patterns, shadows, loud noises and sudden 

movements by balking, fleeing, or fighting the 

pressure that is being applied. Animal handlers 

should be trained to use behavioral principles 

of handling such as flight zone and point of balance, as illustrated in Figure 3, whether moving 

in a pen or loading onto a trailer. If necessary, 

plastic paddles are a movement aid but should 

not be used to strike an animal. Electric cattle 

prods should only be used as a last resort, and 

should never be applied to any area in front of 

the shoulder, or near the rectal region. The ears 

of calves should not be used to maneuver the 

animal; rather guide them with a hand under their 

jaw and the other hand on their rump to move 

them forward. Improper handling is very stressful for cattle and can have negative production and health consequences. 

Videos demonstrating proper handling techniques can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/user/TempleGrandin.

Moving cattle in extreme weather conditions warrants extra precautions. Factors to consider include distance traveled, ventilation (slats open or closed on the trailer), bedding (especially for young stock in cold weather), and 

density (number of animals for body heat). During hot conditions, cattle loading/transporting should occur during 

the coolest parts of the day. Documenting animal movements on and off a dairy premises occurs with various levels 

of accountability but can become important when tracing potential disease exposure.

4.1 Within the Same Operation/Ownership

Some dairy operations have multiple locations all under one ownership dedicated to raising animals in different life 

stages. Newborn dairy heifers may be removed from the milking operation and placed on another location for rearing. 

Bred heifers could be moved to pasture or another barn. Dry cows could also be moved to another location – out to 

pasture, another farm with facilities for feeding, monitoring. These animals could remain in this location until 2-3 

weeks prior to calving or until they have calved. Herd bulls may be moved from the lactating animals to a group 

of breeding age heifers. Bull calves could be fed out in a feedlot setting. Producers should be encouraged to record 

these animal movements for inventory purposes and in the event of a disease outbreak to facilitate tracing exposure.

4.2 Off-Farm

Dairy animals may move off-farm permanently or temporarily, depending on their life stage. Permanent movements 

include heifers sold as reproductive stock, lactating animals sold to another dairy, bull calves sold at birth, bulls sold to 

artificial insemination centers, and market cattle (auction and slaughter). Only healthy animals should move into these 

markets. Temporary movements include calves moved to a calf nursery, heifer ranch/heifer raiser, herd bulls shared 

with other dairy operations, cows to embryo transfer facilities, heifers being implanted with embryos, animals to a 

veterinary clinic/hospital for treatment, overflow animals moved to another facility for milking, and livestock shows.

Figure 3. A Cow’s Flight Zone, 

Point of Balance, and Blind Spot

BLIND SPOT

(Shaded Gray)

POINT OF BALANCE

EDGE OF 

FLIGHT ZONE

45o

90o

HANDLER’S 

POSITION TO 

STOP MOVEMENT

HANDLER’S 

POSITION TO START 

MOVEMENT

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association, Emergency 

Response and Preparedness, April 2009, page 207

60o
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 23 of 70

Animals taken off-farm and having contact with animals of different origins should be treated as a new introduction 

upon return to the home facility. Measures should be taken during their time away to limit their contact with other 

animals. This includes prohibiting sharing of trailers, stalls, feed, or water with animals from other operations. Other 

items to consider include: halters and lead ropes, grooming supplies, feed and water containers, reproductive 

equipment (artificial vaginas for semen collection, artificial insemination pipettes, uterine pipettes, etc.), needles and 

syringes, among others. If shared, they must be properly cleaned and sterilized between animals. People contact 

should also be minimized. If at a fair or show, do not allow the public to feed your animals.

4.2.1 Market/Cull Cattle

Dairy cows and bulls that have reached the end of their productive lives are removed (culled) from the herd. 

Common reasons for removal are low milk production, physical injury, feet problems, reproductive problems, poor 

body condition, udder health or conformation issues, and old age. Dairy market cows and bulls are either marketed 

directly to a slaughter facility or sold at an auction market.

4.2.2 Mortalities

The disposal of dead animals (carcasses) is regulated 

by the respective state where the farm is located. Based 

on the NAHMS Dairy 2007 study conducted by USDA, 

5.7% of adult cows, 7.8% of pre-weaned heifers, and 

1.8% of weaned heifers died in 2006. Using those 

percentages on a 500 cow dairy, expected number of 

dead animals in a non-highly contagious FAD situation 

would be 77 carcasses per year needing proper disposal.

Source: 

•	 NAHMS Dairy 2007 Part I: Reference of dairy cattle 

health and management practices in the United States, 

2007. US Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection Service: Veterinary Services, Center for 

Epidemiology and Animal Health, accessed Sep 14, 2008 

at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nahms/dairy/

dairy07/Dairy2007_PartI.pdf)

In normal situations, four methods of carcass disposal are generally permitted: rendering, composting, burial, and incineration. It is important to realize that each State has specific laws regulating the proper disposal of livestock. Environmental and legal regulations need to be considered for each option. State departments of environmental protection and 

natural resources must be consulted when planning widespread disposal of carcasses. Listed here are potential options: 

1. Rendering of carcasses is a common method for farms located in an area where the service is available. This can 

be an expensive option, but is offset by the benefit of having a third party take the responsibility for managing the 

carcasses in an environmentally sound manner. Rendering is nearly always carried out by a business independent 

from the farm and often includes “pickup” service at a designated location on the farm; preferably at the edge of 

the farm away from main traffic area. Rendering 

collection trucks going from farm-to-farm can present 

a biosecurity risk. Rendering services are not available 

in all areas. In situations involving massive depopulation, rendering services can be quickly overwhelmed. 

If a highly contagious FAD was involved, this will 

likely not be an option.

2. Composting on farm is an inexpensive option in some 

climates/localities and it may require a large space, 

access to water, and co-composting materials (carbonrich sources such as sawdust, wood shavings, hay 

bales, etc.) when incorporated into a sizable dairy 

farm. Well-described techniques are widely available 

at http://www3.abe.iastate.edu/cattlecomposting/ 

and http://tammi.tamu.edu/largecarcassE-422.pdf; 

Composting

USDA NAHMS Dairy Study 2007

500 Cow Dairy 77 Mortalities
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 24 of 70

equipment needed and protocols will vary. States will regulate whether this is an allowable disposal method; 

proximity to groundwater and prevention of run on to and runoff from composting area must be considered. 

Producers using this method must have a plan in place for utilizing the finished compost (spread on crop 

ground, bedding). When done properly, composting can destroy most infectious disease agents.

3. Animal burial is a common procedure on some farms, particularly smaller facilities. Timeliness of burying, 

impermeable soil, greater depth to water table from trench/pit bottom, and prompt covering of the carcasses 

are critical to maintaining a biosecure and aesthetically acceptable burial site.Most states regulate separation 

distances of burial site from wells, surface water and the property line, and limit the number of animals that 

can be buried in an area. Some states have maps that show where animals can be buried safely and lawfully. 

In a large-scale disease outbreak, this may be the method of choice for the disposal of large numbers of cattle 

depending on risk to groundwater contamination and available land. Alternatively, Type I landfills may be 

suitable for burial of massive mortality. However, prior arrangements with the landfill operator to accept 

non-contagious carcasses should be made during planning for this disposal method. 

4. Controlled incineration of the carcass on farm works well for a small number of animals. The process of 

incineration takes several hours to complete and the burning odor and smoke pollution can be a public concern. Thus open pyre burning should be the method of last resort. Incineration is often not suitable or costeffective for larger animals but it will destroy most of the pathogen and leave minmal byproducts.

Please refer to the FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and SOP: Disposal (2011) for specific details on each of the 

above described options in the event of a highly contagious FAD outbreak. Another resource on animal mortality 

management is Managing Contaminated Animal and Plant Materials: A Field Guide on Best Practices available at: 

http://tammi.tamu.edu/MortalityTSWGguide-2008.pdf.

5. PRODUCT MOVEMENT

Dairy operations produce a number of products: saleable raw 

milk, colostrum, non-saleable milk, embryos, manure, calves, 

and market (cull) cattle. Each of these can be moved off farm 

as marketable products; they also have the potential to spread 

disease in the event an operation becomes exposed and subsequently infected with a highly contagious FAD. Market cattle 

were discussed in Part I, section 4.2.1.

5.1 Raw Milk to the Processing Plant

Dairy operations either sell their milk on contract to a dairy 

processing company or join a milk cooperative that buys 

their milk and sells it to processors. A few operations own 

their own processing plant. The dairy processing company 

or milk cooperative contracts with a milk hauling company 

for milk pick up; some operations own their own milk tankers. 

One milk tanker can pick up one farm or as many as needed 

to fill the tanker before returning to the milk processing facility for delivery.

On farm, the milk hauler collects one to three small plastic 

vials from the bulk tank where the milk has been properly 

agitated. These samples are tested for antibiotic residues, 

somatic cell count, milk components, bacteria, and potentially 

other metabolites. This information is reported back to the 

operation for each bulk tank pick up. It is the basis for regulatory testing as well as a basis for premium payments, if the 

processor includes milk price with milk components into the 

dairy’s contract. In the event multiple farms have milk picked up by the same tanker, these individual samples are 

important in the event an antibiotic residue is found through tanker testing at the processing plant. The samples 

allow identification of the responsible operation. In a highly contagious FAD outbreak, this same process could be 

used for disease testing and positive farm identification if a validated milk test is available.

Milk Tanker

Truck Seal
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 25 of 70

After loading the tanker at the farm, seals are put in place on all access points on the milk storage portion of the tanker. 

The milk hauler records all seal numbers on the load manifest (bill of lading); copies are kept by the hauler and processing 

plant. Seals remain in place until milk is picked up at the next operation or until the tanker arrives at the plant for unloading. Any seals removed by the driver during the loading process are replaced. The used seals are maintained by the driver 

and reconciled against the written seal record at the time of delivery by receiving facility employees prior to off-loading.

Once the milk route is complete, the milk hauler delivers the raw milk to 

a transfer station or milk processing facility. Transfer stations function to 

load milk from smaller tankers into a larger tanker which is then transported 

over the road to a processing facility. Transfer stations must meet the same 

requirements for handling milk as all dairy processing facilities.

At the processing plant, the tanker enters the receiving bay (usually 

enclosed except in California, the southwest U.S. and parts of the south) to begin the unloading process. A sample of milk is taken from each compartment 

of the tanker and may be analyzed for a number of things. Most commonly 

protein, fat content, bacterial count, and antibiotic residue are monitored. 

After approval, the tanker is unloaded and the raw milk piped into raw milk 

storage to await the pasteurization process. Some plants will reload raw milk 

for shipping to other plants for processing (a term referred to as balancing). 

Minimum standards for pasteurization are set by federal regulations, but it is common for dairy processing facilities to 

exceed times and temperatures according to their own protocols based on the finished product being made.

Depending on plant policy and scheduling, the interior of the milk tanker goes through a cleaning process (cleanin-place) that removes the residual milk, cleans, sanitizes, and rinses it. If the tanker is delivering another load 

of milk to the same plant on the same day, cleaning may not be done between pickups but occur at the end of the 

day. All access points are sealed after cleaning and the seal numbers are recorded on the wash tag. Wash tags 

indicate when and where the tanker was cleaned. Milk tankers not used for 72 hours after cleaning must be 

rewashed before picking up milk.

Areas of the external tanker, especially where raw milk may have spilled should also be cleaned. Depending on 

plant policy, tanker trucks may go through an external wash or rinse while milk is being off-loaded or once the truck 

leaves the receiving bay prior to leaving the plant. Not all plants have the capabilities for external tanker washing. 

The hauling company, not the PMO, determines the frequency of cleaning the exterior of the milk tanker.

5.2 Raw Milk to Consumers, Pet Food

In a survey conducted by the National Association of State Departments of 

Agriculture in January of 2008, there were 29 states that allowed the sale of 

raw milk to consumers by some means. Thirteen of those states restricted 

legal sales to the farm where the cow’s milk was produced (four additional 

states restricted sales to goat milk). Twelve states allowed raw cow’s milk 

sales at retail stores separate from the farm (one additional state allowed 

retail sale of goat milk). In 33 states, consumers may purchase an animal 

‘share’ from a dairy producer, thus allowing those owners or co-owners to 

acquire raw milk from that dairy. This occurred in states where the sale of 

Clean-in-Place (CIP) Wash Tag Wash Tag and Seals
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 26 of 70

raw cow’s milk was legal and illegal. Raw milk is also sold off farm as pet food in some states. Because 

unpasteurized milk can harbor disease organisms, these off-farm movements need to be considered in a highly 

contagious FAD outbreak.

Source: National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Releases Raw Milk Survey, April 21, 2008 accessed 

March	6,	2011	at	http://www.nasda.org/cms/0/0/0/-3/9061.aspx?qsearch=raw+milk+survey

5.3 Raw Milk/Colostrum for Calf Feeding

Calf nurseries/ranches, heifer raisers, and even some beef cattle operations 

acquire their milk and colostrum supply from dairies. This liquid product 

can be transported from the dairy to its destination in small bulk tanks (<400 

gallons) fitted onto trucks, stainless steel milk cans with lids (7 to 10 gallons), 

or individual containers (plastic sealed baggies, gallon milk jugs, nipple 

bottles) depending on volume and how it will be handled. This product has 

a shelf-life and is an excellent growth media for bacteria if not cooled to 

45oF (7.2oC) or less within 2 hours of milking and stored at that temperature. 

Documentation of milk transported off farm varies if not for commercial 

sale. This can be important information during a disease outbreak and 

traceability could be difficult.

Some operations have batch pasteurizers on farm to process the milk 

or colostrum before feeding to calves to decrease on-farm disease spread. 

Time and temperature must be monitored carefully to ensure sustained, 

uniform heating. For more information on managing on-farm pasteurizers, please read, “Managing a Pasteurizer System for Feeding Milk to Calves” published by Bovine Alliance on 

Management and Nutrition (available here: http://nahms.aphis.usda.gov/dairy/bamn/BAMNManaging_

pasteur_sys.pdf).

5.4 Non-Saleable Milk (NSM) to Calves

Cows that have been treated with antibiotics requiring a milk withdrawal are 

milked separately, preventing the milk from entering the commercial supply. 

The milk is discarded or used for feeding pre-weaned calves. Like saleable 

milk, proper storage and cooling is essential to limit bacteria growth. This 

product can also be pasteurized on farm to reduce pathogen load. 

5.5 Embryos 

Cattle with high genetic merit can serve as a source of embryos to propagate

additional high producing animals. Recovery of embryos is primarily 

through non-surgical techniques in a process taking less than 30 minutes. 

The embryos can be transferred immediately to a recipient animal or frozen in liquid nitrogen and transferred later. 

Frozen embryos can be marketed domestically and internationally (requires health certification and communication 

with the destination country on requirements). This can be a significant source of income for a dairy operation. 

Recording the destination of embryos leaving the farm could be important information in the event of a highly 

contagious FAD outbreak.

5.6 Manure Handling

Manure is an inevitable by-product of dairy production. It has been estimated that a well-fed dairy cow can produce 

1.2 to 1.6 cubic feet of manure per day per 1000 pounds of body weight. Cattle manure contains nutrients that can 

support crop production and enhance the soil’s chemical and physical properties. Manure can be an asset to a dairy 

operation if its nutrient value is maximized.

Source: 

•	 Dairy Freestall Housing and Equipment, Midwest Plan Service-7, 2007, p. 92

Manure management has become a major factor in determining the location and herd size limits of operations. Poor 

manure management can result in increased disease in the cattle, odor issues, and potential environmental and water 
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 27 of 70

quality issues. State and local environmental agencies determine the approved 

methods for handling manure and it is becoming mandatory for operations 

of a certain size to have manure management plans on file. Dairy producers 

select a manure handling system based on state and local regulations as well 

as farm location, the number of animals on site, type of animal housing and 

bedding used, and the type and use of their cropland. Many producers still 

scrape, haul, and spread manure daily due to limited or no manure storage 

facilities. Common manure management systems include:

•	 Solid manure handling

•	 Slurry manure handling, including sand separation 

•	 Liquid manure handling

•	 Anaerobic lagoons, including digesters* for methane burning 

•	 Composting**

*Digesters are used on some operations as a component of anaerobic lagoons 

that utilize bacteria to break down manure. The manure is fed into a digester 

and separated into liquid and solids. Methane and carbon dioxide generated 

can be captured with specialized equipment to generate electricity and heat. 

**Composted manure can be used as a marketable product to greenhouses, 

landscaping companies or used as bedding on the operation.

The capacity of the other types of storage facilities are determined by state regulations based on their size and the 

estimated amount of manure being produced by the cattle. Storage facility capacity is generally designed for removal 

and draining twice a year, when convenient for crop production. Crop types and harvest times greatly affect the 

timing of manure application. Liquid manure is applied to the soil by direct injection or through spray from an 

irrigation sprayer, a spreader, or injector. Solid manure is hauled to the fields with tractors and spreaders. The 

amount of manure that can be applied to any specific area of ground and the type of ground (banned on frozen ground

in some areas) is regulated by the state’s environmental regulatory agency. Spreading manure certain times of the year 

can involve a large number of tractor/equipment traffic on and off the farm. In some parts of the U.S., manure application can only be done by people or companies that are certified or pre-approved by their state agency. Manure can 

harbor disease organisms and management of this dairy by-product must be considered in a highly contagious FAD 

outbreak due to fecal contamination and subsequent spread of disease.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 28 of 70

PART II: RESPONSE TO A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS FOREIGN ANIMAL DISEASE

6. DESIGNATION OF ZONES, AREAS, AND PREMISES 

A critical component for FAD response is the designation of zones, areas, and premises. Epidemiological investigation and tracing will be used to classify premises. It is the responsibility of the Incident Management Team to 

designate zones and premises in an FAD outbreak. These zones, areas, and premises designations will be used in 

quarantine and movement control efforts.

Table 4 summarizes the premises designations that would be employed in an FAD outbreak response. Table 5 summarizes the zone and area designations that would be used in an FAD outbreak response. 

Table 4. Summary of Premises Designations

Animal Category Zone

Infected Premises (IP) Infected Zone

Contact Premises (CP) Infected Zone, 

Buer Zone

Suspect Premises (SP) Infected Zone, 

Buer Zone, 

Surveillance Zone, 

Vaccination Zone

At-Risk Premises (ARP) Infected Zone, 

Buer Zone

Monitored Premises (MP) Infected Zone, 

Buer Zone

Vaccinated Premises (VP) Containment 

Vaccination Zone, 

Protection 

Vaccination Zone

Free Premises (FP) Surveillance Zone, 

Free Area

Denitions

Premises where a presumptive positive case or 

conrmed positive case exists based on laboratory 

results, compatible clinical signs, case denition, 

and international standards.

Premises with susceptible animals that may have 

been exposed to the FAD agent, either directly or 

indirectly, including but not limited to exposure to 

animals, animal products, fomites, or people from 

Infected Premises.

Premises under investigation due to the presence 

of susceptible animals reported to have clinical 

signs compatible with the FAD. This is intended to 

be a short-term premises designation.

Premises with susceptible animals, but none have 

clinical signs compatible with the FAD. Premises 

objectively demonstrates that it is not an Infected 

Premises, Contact Premises, or Suspect Premises. 

At-Risk Premises seek to move susceptible animals 

or products within the Control Area by permit. 

Only At-Risk Premises are eligible to become 

Monitored Premises.

Premises objectively demonstrates that it is not an 

Infected Premises, Contact Premises, or Suspect 

Premises. Only At-Risk Premises are eligible to 

become Monitored Premises. Monitored Premises 

meet a set of dened criteria in seeking to move 

susceptible animals or products out of the Control 

Area by permit.

Premises where emergency vaccination

has been performed. This is a secondary

premises designation. 

Premises outside of a Control Area and not a 

Contact or Suspect Premises.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 29 of 70

Table 5. Summary of Zone and Area Designations

Denition

Infected Zone (IZ) Zone that immediately surrounds an Infected Premises.

Zone

Zone that immediately surrounds an Infected Zone or a 

Contact Premises. Buer Zone (BZ)

Control Area (CA) Consists of an Infected Zone and a Buer Zone.

Emergency Vaccination Zone classied as either Containment 

Vaccination Zone (typically inside the Control Area) or Protection 

Vaccination Zone (typically outside Control Area). This is a 

secondary zone designation.

Vaccination Zone (VZ)

Free Area (FA) Area not included in any Control Area.

Surveillance Zone (SZ) Zone outside and along the border of a Control Area.

Figure 4 illustrates all the zones and premises. Note: Figures are not to scale. The Vaccination Zone can be either a 

Protection Vaccination Zone or Containment Vaccination Zone.

Figure 4. Control Zones

 Zones and Areas Premises

Infected Zone Buffer Zone Vaccination Zone Surveillance Zone

For details on the zones, areas, and premises, please see the APHIS Framework for Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response. For additional information integrating the zones, areas, and premises designations with specific 

FAD response strategies, please see the disease specific response plans, such as the FMD Response Plan: The Red Book. 

These documents are available on the following sites:

•	 FAD PReP collaboration website at: https://fadprep.lmi.org. 

•	 APHIS FAD PReP website (for APHIS employees) at: http://inside.aphis.usda.gov/vs/em/fadprep.shtml. 
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 30 of 70

7. DISEASE-SPECIFIC BIOSECURITY MEASURES

Biosecurity measures in the event of a highly contagious FAD outbreak must be enhanced and more strictly enforced 

to minimize the risk of disease introduction and spread. Exposure to disease can occur through five main routes 

of transmission: aerosol, direct contact, fomite, oral, and vector borne. Humans are exposed to zoonotic diseases 

via the same five routes of transmission. Disease specific biosecurity measures aimed at preventing exposure to 

FMD and Rift Valley fever (RVF) and definitions of the disease routes are provided as appendices. These biosecurity 

measures can also be applied to other diseases with similar exposure routes.

•	 Bovine Routes of Transmission – Appendix A

•	 FMD (spread by aerosol, direct contact, fomite, oral) – Appendix B

•	 Rift Valley Fever (spread by vector – mosquito; zoonotic via contact with infected body fluids) – Appendix C

In order for an epidemiological investigation to determine potential exposures during a highly contagious FAD event,

operations should keep an inventory of animals in the herd including identification numbers, breed, age, origin, and 

location. Animal movement to and from the farm should also be recorded including date, animal ID, origin, destination, 

reason for movement, driver, vehicle used, previous owner's name(s), and phone number. Likewise, movement logs for 

equipment, feed, milk, semen, and embryos should include dates, origins, destinations, delivery person, salesman, and 

the inseminator’s name. Finally, pets and other animals located on the premises should be documented. While ideal, 

this may not be achievable on U.S. dairy operations; the depth of record keeping really varies by operation.

8. PROVIDING ANIMAL CARE

During a disease response, producers may experience disruptions in supply deliveries and animal transportation. 

Producers and support industry personnel should develop plans prior to an outbreak to ensure animals continue to 

receive proper care during a disease response.

8.1 Feeding

During a disease response, the on-farm inventory of feed must be promptly ascertained along with the rate at which 

it will be depleted in order to determine when more feed will be needed. Table 6 provides general estimates of the 

amount of feed consumed per day by each animal in various life stages on an as fed basis. Transportation routes 

may be disrupted, so plans for alternate feed sources and delivery routes should be made before the situation arises. 

Records should be maintained including the origin of the feed delivery, the date, and amount.

Table 6. General Estimates of Average Feed Consumption

Source: extrapolated from Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle, National Research Council, 2001; and 

Hutjens M., Feeding Guide Third Edition, 2008. Refer to these resources for more specic details.

Animal Category Amount of feed consumed per head, 

per day (as fed)

Weaned Calves

Pre-weaned Calves

Bred Heifers

Dry Cows/PreFresh

Lactating

Mature, Adult Bulls

2-4# calf grain; 5-7# hay

25-30# silage, hay, grain

35-45# silage, grass hay, grain

100-125# silage, hay, grain, protein

30-40# silage, hay, grain, protein

(when housed with lactating cows)

16-24 oz. milk replacer or 

4-5 quarts whole milk; 0.5# calf starter

Should feed delivery be delayed for an extended period of time, alterations in normal feeding regimens should occur 

gradually to prevent cows/calves going off feed. Farms with their own silage and dry hay supply can still meet the 

maintenance needs of cattle without purchased feed, but milk production will decrease. For pre-weaned calves on 

farm, whole milk may be a viable option if purchased feed supplies are unattainable for a period of time.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 31 of 70

Calf nurseries/ranches/heifer raisers relying on milk from the source dairy need to have a contingency plan in place. 

In a disease outbreak, transportation of unpasteurized milk may be regulated and may not be allowed in certain areas. 

Milk replacer products should be substituted until a whole milk source can be acquired. Nutrient content varies 

between whole milk and milk replacer so gradual changes are ideal. Weather conditions will affect feeding rate and 

total solids offered. Consult with a nutritionist for recommendations to prevent calves from going off feed.

8.2 Bedding

In the event of a highly contagious FAD, stop movement orders may disrupt delivery of bedding supplies. The 

on-farm inventory of the various types of bedding must be promptly ascertained along with the rate at which it will 

be depleted in order to determine when more will be needed. Factors such as environmental conditions (temperature, 

moisture, humidity) need to be considered in the planning process. Certain times of the year require more bedding 

for the welfare of the animals. Transportation routes may be disrupted, so plans for alternate bedding sources and 

delivery routes should be made before the situation arises. Harvesting or moving bedding (straw, corn stalks) may be 

disrupted temporarily and authorities consulted to obtain movement permission in low risk areas. Records should be 

maintained including the origin of the bedding delivery, the date, and amount.

8.3 Milking

Uninfected cows should be milked according to the farm's schedule regardless of the zone in which they are located. 

On-farm milk storage is a limiting factor in an outbreak, never longer than 48 hours; often less than 24 hours on large 

operations that direct load onto tanker trucks or operations with small bulk tanks. Bulk tank storage capacities vary 

from farm to farm with smaller operations having a single 250 gallon tank to large farms with one or multiple tanks 

of several thousand gallons each. Milk silos can hold 5000 to 8000 gallons each and direct load tanker trucks store 

up to 8000 gallons. Cows in late lactation with lower milk production could be dried off (milk production ceased) 

in an effort to increase storage capacity on farm, but this will only have minimal short term effects.

The financial stability of a dairy is due to income derived from milk sales and lost production on uninfected operations 

does not qualify for indemnity payments. Therefore, producers need to work with milk haulers and processors to develop 

a contingency plan to collect, transport, and process milk in a manner that prevents the transmission of the disease to 

susceptible animals. Options for handling raw milk will be dependent upon premises designation, zone, and proximity to 

processing facilities. For milk that is allowed to move, strict adherence to movement controls and biosecurity measures

for milk haulers, milk tanker trucks and processing plants is essential to prevent disease spread. Processing plants coordinate milk pick-up and delivery routes and these schedules vary depending on market demands. States should keep up-todate contact information for processing plants in a given region to track milk hauler routes and to coordinate milk movement in the event of a highly contagious FAD outbreak. See Section 9.1, Product Handling: Milk for more information.

8.4 Vaccinating 

8.4.1 Routine

Depending on the length of the disease response (days, weeks), routine vaccinations may be discontinued 

temporarily to decrease additional traffic from product distributors entering the operation. In temporary stop 

movement situations, commingling of animals from other herds may be prevented and the overall risk of exposure 

to a domestic disease decreased.

If the outbreak is long lasting (months, greater than 1 year), routine vaccinations and other normal business procedures 

may need to continue utilizing good biosecurity measures. In the event routine vaccines (respiratory disease, clostridial 

diseases, reproductive diseases, mastitis prevention) are needed during a highly contagious FAD response, the dairy 

producer should contact their normal distributor and obtain the products. If a disease-specific emergency vaccine is 

used as part of the outbreak response, timing of routine vaccinations may need to be modified to ensure the animals’ 

immune system is not overwhelmed. Consult with a veterinarian about vaccination schedules and protocols.

8.4.2 Specific to Disease Event

Depending on the type of disease outbreak, the response may include vaccinating animals in an attempt to limit 

spread. Optimal vaccination strategies will vary greatly by region of the country infected and depend on impacts 

to both the domestic economy and foreign trade. This decision will be made by the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) 

at the federal level. Proactive discussions as to the optimal vaccination strategies in a given region based upon 

livestock demographics and foreign trade impacts will better prepare decision makers and industry for real time 
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 32 of 70

decisions of this nature. It is prudent to keep in mind that for vaccination-to-live strategies, tracking and permitting 

of vaccinated animals will likely need to occur for the life of the animal and may impact movement of other unvaccinated livestock in that vaccinated region.

If vaccination is implemented, the product will be made available by regulatory officials. Guidance as to dose, 

delivery method, and how to administer the product will be provided. In some cases, the regulatory officials 

may require administration or supervision by state/federal personnel rather than on-farm personnel. Individual 

situations will be taken into consideration and may vary among operations depending on their proximity to the 

Infected Premises and Control Area.

Whenever vaccines need to be administered, follow the dosage and injection site recommendations provided with the 

vaccine. Ensure the animal is properly restrained and change the needle between every animal. When using needles, 

ensure they are all accounted for before and after administration. Some vaccines are quite viscous; using the recommended larger gauge needle is needed for delivery. Properly dispose of all used needles in a puncture proof container.

Subcutaneous injections in cattle should be given in the

neck area in front of the shoulder in the loose skin. Ensure

the animal is properly restrained. The goal is to use an 

appropriate needle length to deposit the product in the area

below the skin, but not as deep as muscle. Some references

recommend using one hand to “tent” the skin while the

other hand guides the needle under the skin and away from

the site of skin puncture before depositing the vaccine.

Exercise caution when “tenting” so as to prevent inadvertent injection into your free hand. If the situation does 

not allow for safe skin tenting, it should NOT be done.

Intramuscular injections should be given in the neck just 

in front of the shoulder. Figure 5 illustrates these concepts. 

Needle-free injection systems have been researched and 

may be an option in an outbreak situation, depending on 

the type of vaccine and availability of resources.

Vaccines for highly contagious FADs are likely to have a withdrawal time before animals can go to slaughter for 

human consumption. The slaughter withdrawal time will be indicated on the vaccine label. Some vaccines may 

have a withdrawal time for milk consumption. If there is a withdrawal time for milk, it will be indicated on the 

label. Please refer to the FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and SOP: Vaccination for Contagious Diseases (2011) 

and Appendix A: FMD Considerations and Strategies (2011) for additional details. 

9. PRODUCT HANDLING

9.1 Milk

Raw milk produced on a dairy operation typically has four outlets:

1. Picked up daily or every other day and transported to a dairy processing facility.

2. Nonsaleable milk may be fed on site, pasteurized or unpasteurized prior to feeding.

3. Nonsaleable milk may be transported to another premises, pasteurized or unpasteurized prior to feeding. 

4. Premises may process milk on site and sell a pasteurized finished 

product for human consumption.

•	 Where legal, premises may sell unpasteurized milk or milk products for 

animal or human consumption.

Milk movement is regulated by individual States and highly contagious FAD 

contingency plans need to account for transportation of raw product from 

uninfected farms in the Control Area. In 2004, the International Dairy Foods 

Association and National Milk Producers Federation developed guidelines 

for dairy processors to move raw milk from uninfected dairy farms and transport to processing facilities where it can be pasteurized. The Secure Milk 

Subcutaneous (SC) Intramuscular (IM)

Figure 5. Proper Injection Sites in Cattle
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 33 of 70

Supply (SMS) Plan is updating these protocols based on input from researchers, scientists, risk assessors, producers, 

milk haulers, processors, and state and federal government partners. More information about the SMS plan can be 

found at https://fadprep.lmi.org. Pasteurization of milk has the ability to reduce organism concentration; it does not 

sterilize the product. In a study by Tomasula et al., HTST pasteurization reduced foot-and-mouth disease viral titer 

in milk by 99.99%. Further processing of pasteurized milk into processed products may further reduce or eliminate 

any residual virus. Additional safeguards must be taken to move raw, potentially contaminated product into market 

channels to ensure susceptible animals and people (if it is a zoonotic highly contagious FAD) are not exposed. Collection routes should be altered to minimize traffic in and out of a Control Area. 

Source: 

•	 P.M. Tomasula, M.F. Kozempel, R.P. Konstance, D. Gregg, S. Boettcher, B. Baxt, L.L. Rodriguez. Thermal Inactivation 

of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Milk Using High-Temperature, Short-Time Pasteurization. Journal of Dairy Science, 

2007;90:3202-3211

Some highly contagious FADs may go undetected for an indefinite period of time, allowing infected but unidentified

animals to produce milk that enters market channels. Once these premises are classified as Infected or Suspect, vehicle 

movement records should be used to notify all drivers, transfer stations, and other premises where vehicles containing

potentially infected product stopped so an exposure assessment can be done and decontamination can occur as 

needed. Product from the Infected Premises should be traced forward and the risk of highly contagious FAD spread 

to people or animals consuming that product be assessed.

Movements of suspected contaminated product from the dairy plant into commerce or as waste milk products 

should be halted until that dairy plant can test for the presence of the highly contagious FAD. A dairy plant that 

has received highly contagious FAD contaminated raw milk may have to stop production to do clean-in-place 

(CIP) and clean-out-of-place (COP) procedures if not already done. Trace-outs of waste milk or waste milk 

products (e.g., liquid whey from cheese making plants or milk permeate) should be undertaken to ensure that 

the contaminated product was not fed to susceptible animals for the duration of two-times the incubation period 

of the highly contagious FAD. Dairy processing plants vary in the types of products produced and how the milk 

is pasteurized and further processed. If further processing capabilities exist at the plant that remove the risk of 

highly contagious FAD agent spread and the procedures are accepted by regulatory officials, the plant may be 

able to continue receiving, processing, and shipping product. This could vary by state and dairy plant.

Milk from Infected Premises must be disposed of in a manner that does not expose susceptible animals nor contaminate

the environment. Some dairy operations have on-farm pasteurizers to process nonsaleable milk for calves; very few 

U.S. operations have the ability to pasteurize a day’s worth of milk on farm. Operations should have procedures in 

place for disposal of a bulk tank capacity of milk based on local and state environmental regulations. If on-farm 

disposal cannot be safely accomplished, state and/or federal officials will need to permit movement off-site to an 

authorized disposal area using designated routes and following entry/exit biosecurity procedures.

Once contaminated with a highly contagious FAD, special handling may be required to inactivate the organism in 

milk. The procedure is organism specific but could include acidifying milk in the bulk tank or a manure storage 

tank using citric acid, acetic acid, hypochlorite, or alkalinizing it with sodium hydroxide. Once decontaminated, the 

milk could be drained into the manure slurry store, the effluent pit, an on-farm lagoon, a burial pit, pumped into a 

manure spreader to be knifed into agricultural ground, or hauled to a solid waste landfill. Disposal options will vary with 

amount of milk to be disposed, dairy location, State highly contagious FAD plans, and environmental temperatures and 

regulations. The amount of milk disposed should be recorded for reimbursement at fair market value. Please refer to 

the FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and SOP: Disposal (2011) for additional details.

9.2 Dairy Animals

Live animals are the greatest risk for introducing or spreading disease during an outbreak. Movement of young 

stock off farm from uninfected premises for rearing at a calf nursery/ranch/heifer raiser may be halted during a 

highly contagious FAD outbreak depending on the proximity to the destination and whether travel through or within 

a Control Area is required. Provisions for their feeding and care on the home operation need to be planned for to 

ensure adequate housing, protection from the elements, and appropriate feedstuffs are available. Prior to an event, 

dairy operations should establish contacts with calf ranches/heifer raisers in the immediate area so that clean and 

disinfected housing units, feed/water bottles/buckets and treatment equipment can be acquired/rented/shared. 
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 34 of 70

Identify suppliers of this equipment if heifer ranches/raisers are not located near the dairy operation.

Movement of animals to pasture or to different locations owned by the same operator may be halted during a highly 

contagious FAD event. Likewise, heifers or pre-fresh cows due to calve may not be able to move to the home dairy. 

Operations and their animals located in two different response zones may be unable to move animals for a period of 

time. Provisions for the care and feeding of these animals groups must be considered. Preparedness plans at the local 

level should include emergency sheltering options for dairy animals in case of a disease outbreak.

9.3 Culls/Slaughter

Dairies may sell cull cattle through an auction market/sale barn on specified days where they are commingled with 

animals from multiple operations before transporting to slaughter. Cull cattle are also purchased on farm by a consolidator who travels a geographic area to acquire a semi-load of cattle for a slaughter facility. Records pertaining to animal 

movement should include date, animal identification, and destination. Cull cattle movement off uninfected premises 

may be halted temporarily during a highly contagious FAD event depending on the proximity to an auction market or 

slaughter facility. If there is adequate housing, ambulatory animals should remain on farm until movement controls 

permit transportation. Non-ambulatory or injured animals should be humanely euthanatized on farm and disposed 

of with other carcasses.

Dairy steers fed on uninfected premises destined for slaughter may also be halted for similar reasons. Contracts with 

order buyers need to be discussed in the event the cattle cannot be delivered on a specified date. Provisions for feed 

need to be acquired to ensure the cattle meet their nutritional needs until movement controls permit transportation.

9.4 Mortalities

Animals that die or are removed from the herd should be recorded in farm records. A necropsy and appropriate testing to 

determine cause of death should be done on all animals that die on the farm of unknown or suspicious causes and a report 

included in the farm inventory records. Most dairy operations have determined their method of carcass disposal based on 

“usual” mortality rates. If a highly contagious FAD causes higher than average mortality rates, animals must be disposed 

of in the manner mandated by the Federal and State governments and in a method that will mitigate the risk for disease 

spread. The method of disposal depends on the disease, the local conditions and regulations, and the number of animals. 

Operations utilizing on-farm compost piles may be able to adjust to accommodate the larger number of cattle. Additional 

space and compost materials will be necessary and the pile monitored to ensure carcasses are decomposing. Burying 

large numbers of animals on a particular site requires special permission and is usually under the jurisdiction of the state’s 

environmental regulatory agency. Incineration may be an option in a disease outbreak if local jurisdictions approve. Rendering companies may be quickly overwhelmed by large numbers of cattle and if the disease is contagious, this option 

will not be used. Please refer to the FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and SOP: Disposal (2011) for additional details.

9.5 Manure

Many disease organisms are shed in bodily secretions, including manure. Pathogen survival in manure varies and 

is affected by environmental temperatures. Cold weather usually increases pathogen survival. Solid manure can be 

composted to increase core temperature and kill most pathogens. Some dairy operations contract with manure pumping

services to clean out their lagoon or slurry stores and spread manure on agricultural ground which increases the 

possibility of exposure to many different operations in the area. Manure application/movement logs should be kept 

including dates, origin, application sites, volume applied per site, and application method.

During and after a disease outbreak, decisions will have to be made on how to decontaminate and dispose of manure.

The future application of this manure on crop ground must be considered as disinfectants and chemicals that change 

manure pH may affect subsequent plant growth. Returning decontaminated manure to a stable pH prior to application

is an option with associated costs but may be the best option in certain situations. The application of untreated manure

has the potential to spread disease to other livestock (e.g., cattle grazing) and possibly wildlife. Manure handling 

equipment must be considered a biosecurity risk and should be properly cleaned and disinfected between operations. 

Please refer to the FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and SOP: Disposal (2011) for additional details.

10. SURVEILLANCE

Within 48 hours of the identification of the index case, a surveillance plan will be implemented to define the extent 

of the highly contagious FAD outbreak and to detect unknown but Infected Premises and new cases quickly through 
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 35 of 70

a combination of observation and laboratory testing. This surveillance plan may include the susceptible wildlife 

population in the area. Information will also be gathered for a surveillance plan to identify disease-free zones so that 

this portion of the plan can be implemented within seven days of the identification of the index case.

Infected, Contact, Suspect and At-Risk Premises will all be involved in some level of surveillance in an effort to control 

and contain disease spread or determine freedom from disease. Initial surveillance of susceptible animals will be visual 

inspection. As soon as practical, surveillance will include laboratory testing of susceptible animals. Contact and Suspect 

Premises should be inspected at least three times per maximum incubation period for the disease under investigation. 

During the highly contagious FAD event, surveillance could include on-farm observation, and/or testing milk (if 

validated tests are available), market animals, and at slaughter. Please refer to the FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and 

SOP: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Tracing (2011) for additional details.

10.1 People

Visitors and employees can introduce or spread disease to susceptible animals if steps are not taken to mitigate these 

risks prior to entry. Sanitation and hygiene practices are important to prevent disease agent spread and include wearing 

clean clothing, coveralls, footwear, and washing hands before and after animal contact or glove removal. If the highly 

contagious FAD is zoonotic, additional personal protective equipment must be worn by all those handling animals.

The movement of people on and off the farm during a disease event must be documented to aid exposure assessments. 

Table 7 lists the types of personnel movement onto a dairy operation during normal business. Some of these will 

change based on the size of the operation. Using a written log to record name, contact information, last contact with a 

susceptible animal species, and reason for being on farm including facilities entered/animals contacted is crucial. Prior 

to a disease event, records of this information may not be as readily available on all operations, slowing the response 

and possibly permitted movements off-farm. Visitor logs are available in the Appendices. 

Table 7. Type and Frequency of Vehicle/Personnel Movement Onto Dairy Operations

Supply delivery 

(towels, dips, milk 

liners, vaccines)

Garbage pick up Harvest equipment

Utility meter reader

Daily Weekly Monthly Seasonal/Variable

Milk hauler Feed delivery Nutritionist

Feed, equipment, seed, 

and pharmaceutical 

sales personnel

Employees Veterinarian Veterinarian Milk equipment repair 

personnel

Calf pick up Calf pick up Heifer delivery Hoof trimmers

Reproduction 

technician (articial 

insemination)

Reproduction 

technician (articial 

insemination)

Dairy cooperative eld 

representative Embryo transfer

Cull cattle buyer Cull cattle buyer Manure removal

Rendering Diesel fuel delivery Propane delivery

During an outbreak, personnel on farm should be limited to those essential for the day-to-day operation, making it easier to trace and minimize the risk of disease introduction. For all employees, records should be kept that 

includes their name, address, phone numbers, emergency contact, and information pertaining to off-site animal 

contact. In the event of a zoonotic highly contagious FAD, public health officials may recommend human surveillance via diagnostic testing. Contacting employees will be critical.

Higher risk personnel on a dairy operation are those individuals that visit multiple premises within a given day 

and have contact with animals or their feed/housing/milking areas. This includes employees having off-farm 
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 36 of 70

animal contact, veterinarians, milk haulers, heifer raisers, and service providers such as hoof trimmers, AI technicians, milk equipment repair personnel, rendering truck drivers, feed delivery persons, sales persons, and dairy 

cooperative field staff. Strict adherence to biosecurity protocols should be required for farm entry and animal 

contact during a highly contagious FAD event.

10.2 Vehicle Traffic

Vehicles and equipment can indirectly expose susceptible animals through 

mechanical disease transmission. Installing a barrier that requires vehicles to 

stop before entering the premises provides an additional control point and can 

facilitate monitoring and recording vehicle details. Cleaning and disinfecting 

tires, wheel wells, and the undercarriage of all vehicles which enter or leave 

a farm will likely be required on all Infected or Monitored Premises. It may 

be prudent to park vehicles off-site that are not required on farm. People and 

vehicle traffic on and off an operation during a disease outbreak should be 

documented; vehicular traffic related to the personnel listed in Table 7 is a 

starting point. A written or electronic record describing the vehicle, driver 

name and contact information, last farm(s) visited, and reason for visit should 

be maintained for tracking purposes.

Milk tanker trucks pose the same or higher risks as all other vehicles, but are not allowed to travel through cattle 

housing areas or have direct contact with the dairy herd. However, they pose unique risks of disease transmission 

through the movement of raw milk. In many cases, milk haulers pick up milk from multiple premises for delivery 

to a processing plant. If, within a multi-stop route, raw milk that contains an infectious disease agent is picked up, 

the premises on the latter part of that route are at risk for exposure if contaminated milk spills onto that operation. 

Specific biosecurity performance standards for milk haulers/tanker drivers and the milk tanker are being developed 

as part of the SMS Plan. The bullets below outline common risks posed by milk tanker trucks.

•	 Milk tanker truck exteriors are not routinely cleaned between premises on the same route.

•	 Milk tanker trucks contaminated externally with mud/manure/organic material containing infectious virus can 

serve as a fomite and transmit the disease to subsequent farms.

•	 Milk tanker trucks may also transmit disease by spreading raw milk aerosols that may be generated during loading 

and movement between dairy farms and to processing facilities (more research is needed to quantify this risk).

•	 Milk haulers may mechanically transmit disease through raw milk spillage during sampling, loading, 

and unloading.

•	 Licensed milk truck drivers are required by the PMO to exit the truck and perform all milk pick up steps (described 

previously) which could result in contamination of their skin, clothing, outerwear, and milk collection equipment.

•	 The interior of the tanker is not usually cleaned and sanitized between each load unless they only pick up one 

load per day.

10.3 Disease Monitoring

During an outbreak situation, susceptible animals on all operations must be closely monitored for clinical signs 

of the highly contagious FAD that meet the case definition. Animal caretakers, especially on Contact, Suspect, or 

At-Risk Premises should be aware of the clinical signs and who to contact if disease is suspected. Examples of clinical 

signs for FMD and RVF are found in the Appendices. Accurate and rapid public awareness campaigns will be used to 

disseminate disease recognition and reporting information to animal producers and caretakers within the Control 

Area and Surveillance Zone.

Livestock operations within the Buffer Zone will be routinely monitored utilizing slaughter surveillance, serological 

surveys, and investigation of reports of suspect disease. Slaughter surveillance will also occur in the Surveillance 

Zone. Free Area surveillance will occur through normal surveillance channels. Surveillance results and approved 

biosecurity protocols as a “proof of negative” status may be required for permitted movements of susceptible 

animals within the Control Area.

10.4 Sample Collection

Premises with the highest risk of infection will have animals sampled for disease testing. Handling tissues and fluids 

from cattle on these operations requires strict adherence to biosecurity and infection control procedures. Cattle at 

harvest facilities may also have samples collected. Unless otherwise specified, samples will be collected by trained 
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 37 of 70

animal health personnel (veterinarians, animal health technicians – private or government). Depending on the disease, specific tissues and/or fluids will be obtained on farm from live animals or after performing a full post-mortem 

exam on mortalities (whenever possible). Guidelines will be provided to veterinary responders and animal health 

technicians regarding the specific type of tissues needed, fresh or fixed, fluids (serum, whole blood, vesicular fluids), 

and details related to how to label and package them appropriately. See VS Memo 580.4 Procedures for Investigating 

a Foreign Animal Disease/Emerging Disease Incident (FAD/EDI) October 2008 for more information.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as coveralls and gloves must be 

worn by personnel handling the animals, tissues, and fluids. If the highly 

contagious FAD is zoonotic, enhanced PPE may include goggles and an 

appropriate respirator (N-95 or N-99) or a full face shield if aerosolization 

is not a route of human exposure. All equipment used on farm to collect 

and transport samples and protect the personnel should be properly cleaned 

and disinfected in the designated area prior to leaving the farm. Care should 

be taken to avoid contaminating diagnostic samples with disinfectant as the 

highly contagious FAD will be inactivated providing false negative results. 

See the FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and SOP: Personal Protective 

Equipment (2011), Biosecurity (2011), and Cleaning and Disinfection 

(2011) for more information.

10.5 Sample Submission

Early in the disease outbreak there may be a single laboratory or a select group of laboratories that can perform the 

diagnostic testing. Guidance will be provided regarding sample submissions to laboratories. Personnel at the receiving 

laboratory should provide specifics related to sample submission. This may change as the outbreak continues and 

other laboratories are able to perform the specific tests or if on-farm diagnostic tests are available and approved. 

There are some fundamental principles that must be adhered to in the event of a highly contagious FAD investigation 

to ensure accurate, rapid results.

Once samples are obtained, proper labeling is PARAMOUNT to ensure results are correctly reported. Submit samples 

with the appropriate paperwork (hard copy or electronic). This may consist of forms provided by the laboratory or 

animal health authority. All individual animal identification numbers should be recorded. The premises must be 

properly identified on all paperwork and sample packaging using a premises identification number, if available. 

Again, proper completion of the paperwork is essential so that the results are 

accurately reported to the submitting veterinarian or animal health authority. 

In some cases, samples could be submitted to prove negative status for 

permitted animal movement and accurate, timely result reporting is essential.

Samples obtained in the field should be properly packaged to prevent leakage 

(individually sealed plastic bags around each fluid tube) and thus contamination

of samples within or external to the box/cooler. Completed paperwork should 

also be placed in a sealed plastic bag. Cold packs are recommended instead 

of ice for transporting samples. Be aware of environmental temperatures and 

provide enough cold packs to keep tissues from degrading in transport.

11. APPRAISAL AND COMPENSATION (FAD PREP/

NAHEMS GUIDELINES AND SOP)

Animal health regulatory officials will collect an inventory of animals designated for depopulation and appraise their 

fair-market value in order for compensation to be paid. Contaminated materials on farm (milk, feed, bedding) will 

also be appraised on-site as they will need to be disposed of in an effort to eradicate the disease. Facilities and equipment that cannot be properly disinfected must also be destroyed and fair market value assessed. Please refer to the 

FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and SOP: Appraisal and Compensation (2011) for specific details on this process.

12. MASS DEPOPULATION AND EUTHANASIA (FAD PREP/NAHEMS GUIDELINES 

AND SOP)

To control disease spread, infected and exposed animals may be depopulated by qualified personnel according 

to USDA-APHIS and AVMA guidelines. The method of depopulation and procedures used will depend on 
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 38 of 70

available resources and population dynamics of susceptible animals on the premises. This requires locationspecific planning and preparation which is addressed in the FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and SOP: Mass 

Depopulation and Euthanasia (2011).

13. DISPOSAL (FAD PREP/NAHEMS GUIDELINES AND SOP)

Animal carcasses and associated contaminated materials (milk, feed, bedding) must be disposed of in a way to limit 

disease spread, using State or municipality approved methods. Specific personnel will be assigned to an operation 

to carry out these activities once depopulation is complete. Please refer to the FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and 

SOP: Disposal (2011) for specific details on this process.

14. CLEANING AND DISINFECTION (C&D) (FAD PREP/NAHEMS GUIDELINES AND SOP)

Facilities that housed infected animals and equipment used in their daily care must be cleaned and disinfected to 

prevent the spread of disease to live animals returned to the operation. Coordination of equipment, supplies, 

scheduling, and certifying work completed by the producer, contractors, or animal health response teams will be 

carried out by USDA-APHIS-VS. Items that cannot be adequately cleaned and disinfected should be properly 

disposed of once their value is determined. For additional information, see FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and 

SOP: Cleaning and Disinfection (2011).

15. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AND VECTOR CONTROL (FAD PREP/NAHEMS 

GUIDELINES AND SOP)

Wildlife susceptible to the highly contagious FAD can complicate eradication/control efforts. A coordinated effort 

of local, state, Tribal and federal agencies with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, the Department of the Interior and 

State wildlife agencies is necessary to accomplish control without jeopardizing environmental ecosystems. Producers’ 

knowledge of area wildlife and potential exposure will be vital in this assessment and management process. Please 

refer to the FAD PReP/NAHEMS Guidelines and SOP: Wildlife Management and Vector Control (2011) for specific 

details on this process.

16. INTERNATIONAL TRADE

In 2010, international exports of dairy products including milk solids, whey proteins, skim milk powder (non-fat dry 

milk), butter and cheese was valued at over $3.71 billion USD. This was a 63% increase over 2009 exports. Countries receiving these exports vary by commodity; by volume, Mexico was the top importer of ice cream and cheese, 

Southeast Asia imported the most skim milk powder, and Europe (Soviet Union, Russia, and European Union) was 

the top importer of butter in 2010. Export markets are important to the dairy industry. In the event of a highly contagious FAD outbreak affecting dairy cattle, international trade of animals and animal products would be halted for the 

affected zones or regions.

Source: 

•	 U.S. Dairy Export Council, 2010 Export Data accessed March 3, 2011 at: http://www.usdec.org/Why/

content cfm?ItemNumber=82452

Regionalization, also known as zoning, separates animal subpopulations to maintain disease-free status in one or 

more zones. Regionalization defines animal subpopulations primarily on a geographical basis. As an FAD response 

tool, regionalization can facilitate international trade, as well as FAD eradication. 

For more information on regionalization, please see the FAD PReP SOP: Overview of Regionalization for International 

Trade (2011), as well as 9 CFR 92.2, which lists 11 factors that should be evaluated in establishing a region.

Compartmentalization, which distinguishes between animal subpopulations by “management and husbandry 

practices related to biosecurity,” has not yet been implemented within the United States with any trading partners (OIE, Chapter 4.4). Disease-free compartments must be recognized by trading partners prior to an outbreak 

for product movement. For further information on compartmentalization, please see the OIE Terrestrial Animal 

Health Code (2010), Chapter 4.4, as well as sections on compartmentalization in disease-specific chapters (for 

example, see Chapter 8.5, Article 8.5.6 on foot-and-mouth disease).
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 39 of 70

In addition to the sources listed throughout the manual, portions of this document were obtained from: 

•	 Dairy Industry Facilities Manual (draft August 2003 by S. Amass on behalf of the FMD Dairy Working Group; 

November 2005 by P. Webb with support of the FMD Dairy Research Working Group; and March 2007 by 

USDA-APHIS-VS NAHEMS staff)

•	 Dairy Biological Risk Management, March 2005, Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University

•	 Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Response Plan: The Red Book, USDA- APHIS

•	 APHIS Framework for Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response (FAD PReP), USDA-APHIS 

This FAD PReP Industry Manual was produced in collaboration with USDA-APHIS-VS National Center for Animal 

Health and Emergency Management by the Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University of 

Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine through a cooperative agreement. Authors include:

•	 Danelle Bickett–Weddle, DVM, MPH, PhD, DACVPM 

Associate Director, Center for Food Security and Public Health (CFSPH)

•	 Megan Keplinger, BS 

Third year veterinary student intern, CFSPH

•	 Heather Sanchez, MS 

Third year veterinary student intern, CFSPH

Illustrations were designed by:

•	 Dani Ausen, BFA

Graphic designer, CFSPH

This manual was reviewed within USDA-APHIS-VS by:

•	 Jason Lombard, DVM, MS 

Dairy Specialist/Epidemiologist, National Animal Health Monitoring System

•	 Julia W. Punderson, VMD, DACT – specifically the regionalization/compartmentalization section

National Center for Import/Export

•	 Lee Ann Thomas, DVM, MS

Director, Ruminant Health Programs

•	 R. Alex Thompson, DVM, PhD

Veterinary Medical Officer – Epidemiologist, National Surveillance Unit

This manual was also reviewed by:

•	 California Department of Food and Agriculture

•	 Timothy J. Goldsmith, DVM, MPH

Assistant Clinical Professor, Center for Food Safety and Animal Health, University of Minnesota

•	 Pam Hullinger, DVM, MPVM, DACVPM 

Associate Professor, Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis

•	 James A. Roth, DVM, PhD, DACVM 

Distinguished Professor, Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University

•	 Julie M. Smith, DVM, PhD 

Extension Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science, University of Vermont

•	 Leo Timms, PhD

Associate Professor, Extension Dairy Specialist, Iowa State University

•	 James West, DVM, MS 

Armbrust Professor, Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University

•	 Members of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Animal Health & Welfare Committee and 

Regulatory Committee

•	 Members of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) Biological Risk Management and 

Preparedness Committee

- Charles E. Brown II, DVM, MRCVS 

 Head Veterinarian, ABS Global Inc.

Acknowledgements
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 40 of 70

Acknowledgements

- D. Dee Griffin, DVM, MS

 Professor, Feedlot Management Veterinarian, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Great Plains Veterinary 

 Educational Center

- Tom Hairgrove, DVM, DABVP

 Program Coordinator, Livestock and Food Animal Systems, Texas A&M University

- Carla Huston, DVM, PhD, DACVPM 

 Associate Professor, Epidemiology, Mississippi State University

- Barrett Slenning, MS, DVM, MPVM 

 Animal Biosecurity Risk Management Group, North Carolina State University

The content of this manual has been reviewed and approved by USDA-APHIS Legislative and Public Affairs.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 41 of 70

Page ii Photo strip: Left to right: Holstein heifers; Landrace pigs; Red Angus/Simmental cross beef cow 

 with calf; chicks; and feedlot cattle. Photo sources: Mark Kirkpatrick, Idaho; Iowa State University; 

 Beth Carlson, North Dakota; USDA; and Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University. 

Page iii FAD PReP Suite of Documents and Materials Graphic illustration by: USDA

Page 1 The official logos of USDA, APHIS and OIE. Graphic illustration of the USDA, APHIS, and OIE 

 logos by: Dani Ausen, Iowa State University

Page 2 Figure 1. Many different dairy products come from cattle such as milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, 

 cottage cheese, whey proteins, and skin milk powder. Graphic illustration by: Dani Ausen, 

 Iowa State University

Page 3 (Top) Table 1. Top Five Dairy Cattle States by Number of Head, U.S. 2009. Content provided by: 

 USDA NASS; Graphic illustration by: Dani Ausen, Iowa State University

 (Bottom) Table 2. Number of Dairy Operations, Percent Inventory and Percent Production by Size 

 Group, U.S., 2010. Content provided by: USDA Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations, 

 2008 Summary; Graphic illustration by: Dani Ausen, Iowa State University

Page 4 (Top) Figure 2. Schematic of a large dairy operation with barns, milking facility, corrals, and 

 equipment storage. Arrows depict the movement of different animal groups on and off the farm. 

 Graphic illustration by: Dani Ausen, Iowa State University

(Bottom) Data from the USDA NAHMS Dairy 2007 Study. Content provided by: USDA; Photo 

 of a Holstein dairy heifer being loaded into a trailer to be moved to a different location. Photo 

 source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University; Graphic illustration by: Dani Ausen, 

 Iowa State University

Page 5 (Top) Bulk milk hauler picking up milk from a dairy farm. Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, 

 Iowa State University

(Bottom) A biosecurity sign at a dairy farm entrance warning visitors not to enter without an 

 appointment. Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University

Page 6 (Top) Bulk milk hauler with an 8000 gallon capacity picking up milk from a dairy farm. 

 Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University

 (Bottom) These photos depict typical procedures done when the milk hauler arrives at the farm 

 The temperature of the milk must be read from the tank thermometer that monitors temperature

 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (left). The milk hauler is connecting the milk hose from the truck to 

 the bulk tank (center). The volume of milk (milk weight) is recorded on farm (right). Photo 

 source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University (all)

Page 7 (Top) These photos depict some of the typical procedures done by the milk hauler before departing 

 the farm with a load of milk. A small sample of the milk must be taken, labeled, and put in a 

 cooler (left). The milk hose is disconnected from the tanker (center). The farms bulk tank must be 

 rinsed with water (right). Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University (all)

(Bottom) Table 3. Pasteurization Time, Temperature. Photo of a small pasteurizer on a farm (left). 

 A series of pipelines leading to and from a pasteurizer in a milk processing plant (right). 

 Content provided by: US Food and Drug Administration, Pasteurized Milk Ordinance; Photo 

 source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University (left): Pam Hullinger, University of California, 

 Davis (right); Graphic illustration by: Dani Ausen, Iowa State University

Page 8 The orange brucellosis ear tags, also referred to as calf-hood vaccination tags, are an official form 

 of identification (top left). The metal Bright tags can be used as an official identification in cattle 

 of any age. The first two numbers indicate the state where the animals resided when the tags were 

 placed in their ear. Iowa is 42 as pictured (top right). Holstein heifer calf with pre-printed plastic 

 dangle tags in each ear. There is a metal tag in the calf's left ear which is associated with a breed 

 registry; it is NOT a brucellosis metal tag as that should be in its right ear (second from top). A 

 Holstein cow with a plastic dangle identification tag and a neck collar (third from top). A close up 

 of a cow with a plastic dangle tag and a button Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag (bottom). 

 Photo sources: Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (top left) and Andrew 

 Kingsbury, Iowa State University (top right) Vicky Olson, Quality Milk Production Services 

 (second from top); Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University (third from top); Pat Gorden, 

Photo and Illustration Credits
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 42 of 70

 Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University (bottom) 

Page 9 (Top) Two dairy cows being milked in a parallel parlor. Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, 

 Iowa State University

(Bottom) A handler artificially inseminating a cow. Photo source: Mark Kirkpatrick, Kuna, Idaho

Page 10 (Top) A pregnant cow in a calving pen with deep straw bedding which helps drain away the birthing 

 materials (amniotic fluid, placenta, and blood) and animal excrement. Photo source: Pam Hullinger, 

 California Department of Food and Agriculture

(Bottom) A photo of newborn calf being fed from a bottle. The person is wearing gloves and 

 coveralls to minimize contamination. Photo source: Chris Mondak, Iowa State University

Page 11 (Top) A photo of pre-weaned calves in outdoor individual hutches with a fenced in exercise area in 

 front of them. Photo source: Brandi Huddle, Iowa State University 

 (Center) A photo of pre-weaned calves in indoor individual pens made of washable plastic and 

 buckets for feed and water out front. Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University

(Bottom) A photo of four-month old calves in a group housing environment with dry bedding and 

 shade. Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University

Page 12 (Top) Yearling (12 months old) heifers in an outdoor pen with mounds in the background and head 

 locks at the feed bunk in the foreground. Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University

(Bottom) A photo of dairy cows eating in tie stalls in a covered barn. Photo source: Tara Wellman, 

 Iowa State University

Page 13 (Top) A photo of a Holstein dairy cow on pasture. Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa 

 State University

(Bottom) Dairy cows resting in loose housing with composted manure bedding. Photo source: 

 Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University

Page 14 (Top) Photo taken down one feed alley in a cross-ventilated dairy barn. There are baffles above the 

 stalls that deliver air down on the stalls where the cows lay down. Photo source: Danelle Bickett-

 Weddle, Iowa State University

 (Center) Holstein cows laying in a dry lot dairy in the southwest U.S. with shade structures 

 available. Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University

(Bottom) While the cows are being milked, a tractor grooms the dry lots where the cattle lay down. 

 The person driving is wearing a dust mask to protect against the dust being stirred up. Photo 

 source: Pat Gorden, DVM, Dairy Veterinary Services

Page 15 (Top) Rows of calves housed in individual outdoor wooden hutches with feed and water buckets in 

 front of their pens. Photo source: Mark Kirkpatrick, Kuna, Idaho

(Bottom) Three Holstein calves being fed milk bottles in individual outdoor hutches with an 

 exercise area out front. Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University

Page 16 Dairy heifers grazing a pasture (left). Heifers in free stalls in a confinement barn (center). Heifers 

 in a dry lot environment with shade structures in the background and a feed bunk in the foreground 

 (right). Photo sources: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University (left); Loren Wille, St. Anna 

 Veterinary Clinic (center); Mark Kirkpatrick, Kuna, Idaho (right)

Page 17 (Top) Cows in a stanchion barn where they will be milked with portable milking units. 

 Photo source: Tara Wellman, Iowa State University

(Bottom) Examples of a cow in a herringbone (left), parallel (center) and an external rotary dairy 

 parlor (right). Photo sources: Brandi Huddle, Iowa State University (left); Danelle Bickett-Weddle, 

 Iowa State University (center and right)

Page 18 (Top) Photo of a dip cup filled with iodine that is used to disinfect teats prior to milking (top). 

 Milking unit attached to the teats of a cow from between her back legs (center). After milking, the 

 teats have been dipped with an antiseptic solution with skin conditioners (bottom). Photo sources: 

 Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University (top); Mark Kirkpatrick, Kuna, Idaho

 (center and bottom)

(Bottom) Cow standing in a robotic stanchion with her head facing the right side of the photo and 

 the robotic milker connected to her teats. Photo source: John Barlow, University of Vermont

Photo and Illustration Credits
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 43 of 70

Page 19 (Top) Bulk milk tanks of two different sizes in a milk room on a dairy farm (top). Upright 

 milk silos used for raw milk storage on a dairy farm (bottom). Photo source: Danelle Bickett-

 Weddle, Iowa State University (all)

(Bottom) Front end loader dumping feed into a feed wagon to be mixed and then delivered to the 

 cows as a total mixed ration. Photo source: Tara Wellman, Iowa State University

Page 20 These photos depict the various ways to store feed such as: upright bulk bins that auger feed 

 into a wagon (top). Hay, straw and commodities such as whole cottonseed and bagged feed are 

 shown in this open front commodity shed (second). Upright concrete silos store silage, haylage, 

 and high moisture corn on a dairy farm (third). Long plastic bags, called ag-bags, can store silage or 

 high moisture corn (fourth). Corn silage is stored on a concrete pad with concrete side walls 

 and covered with plastic and cut tires to keep moisture out. (bottom). Photo sources: Travis 

 Hawkins, Iowa State University (top); Brandi Huddle, Iowa State University (second); 

 Tara Wellman, Iowa State University (third); Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University (fourth); 

 Amanda Neighbours, Iowa State University (bottom)

Page 21 (Top) Holstein cows housed in a free stall barn eating feed in concrete bunks with a neck rail to 

 prevent them from stepping through. Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University

(Center) Jersey cows housed in a dry lot eating feed with their heads through individual head 

 locks. Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University

 (Bottom) This photo depicts a man-pass between the wooden post and the metal fence, which is 

 located at one end of the pen of cattle. It allows people to enter the pen without climbing fences, 

 opening gates, or stepping on feed. Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University

Page 22 Figure 3. A Cow's Flight Zone, Point of Balance, and Blind Spot. Content provided by: American 

 Veterinary Medical Association, Emergency Response and Preparedness, April 2009, Page 207; 

 Interpreted by: Dani Ausen, Iowa State University

Page 23 (Top) A barn used to compost bedding and dead carcasses. Photo sources: Danelle 

 Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University 

 (Bottom) USDA NAHMS Dairy Study 2007. Graphic illustration by: Dani Ausen, Iowa 

 State University

Page 24 A milk tanker at a dairy picking up raw milk for transport to processing (top). A close-up photo 

 of the top of a milk truck vent showing two blue plastic seals (bottom). Photo source: Danelle 

 Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University

Page 25 (Top) Stainless steel pipes used for transporting milk throughout a milk processing facility. 

 Photo Source: Pam Hullinger, University of California, Davis

(Center) A milk tanker in a receiving bay at a processing plant hooked up to the Clean-in-Place (CIP) 

 procedure (left). The wash tag displays the truck number, time and date washed and sanitized as 

 well as the employees name who performed the CIP. (center) Each seal number must be recorded 

 on the wash tag (right). Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University (all)

(Bottom) Photo of a farm sign where raw milk is sold direct to consumers. Photo source: Danelle 

 Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University

Page 26 (Top) Cow being milked into a separate bucket because the milk cannot enter the bulk tank on 

 farm and mix with the saleable milk. Photo source: Heather Thyen, Oat-Hill Dairy in Minnesota

 (Bottom) Five gallon buckets of non-saleable milk. Photo source: Danelle Bickett- 

 Weddle, Iowa State University

Page 27 (Top) Above ground manure storage on a dairy farm. Photo source: Chere Stephen, Iowa 

 State University

(Bottom) A concrete lined manure storage pit with fencing around it. Photo source: Brandi 

 Huddle, Iowa State University 

Page 28 Table 4. Summary of Premises Designations. Content provided by: USDA-APHIS Graphic 

 illustration by: Dani Ausen, Iowa State University

Page 29 (Top) Table 5. Summary of Zone and Area Designations. Content provided by: USDA-APHIS 

 Graphic illustration by: Dani Ausen, Iowa State University

 (Bottom) Figure 4. Control Zones. Graphic illustration by: USDA-APHIS

Photo and Illustration Credits
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 44 of 70

Page 30 Table 6. General Estimates of Average Feed Consumption. Content extrapolated from: Nutrient 

 Requirements of Dairy Cattle, National Research Council 2001. Graphic illustration by:Dani 

 Ausen, Iowa State University

Page 32 (Top) Figure 5: Proper Injection Sites in Cattle. Graphic illustration by: Dani Ausen, Iowa 

 State University

 (Bottom) Photo of milk trucks delivering milk to a processing plant. This image is taken in the 

 southwest U.S. where the receiving bay is not fully enclosed. Photo source: United Dairymen 

 of Arizona

Page 35 Table 7. Type and Frequency of Vehicle/Personnel Movement Onto Dairy Operations. Content 

 provided by: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University; Graphic illustration by: Dani Ausen, 

 Iowa State University

Page 36 On farm delivery of fuel to storage tanks on a dairy farm. Photo source: Danelle Bickett-Weddle, 

 Iowa State University 

Page 37 (Top) A veterinarian wearing personal protective equipment (Tyvek®, powered-air purifying 

 respirator, gloves) collecting samples from a dead animal in the field. Photo source: John Wenzel, 

 New Mexico State University

(Bottom) Samples packaged for shipping with the completed paperwork. Photo source: Danelle 

 Bickett-Weddle, Iowa State University

Photo and Illustration Credits
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 45 of 70

Acronyms

AMS Automatic Milking System

APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

ARP At-Risk Premises

AVIC Area Veterinarian-in-Charge

BZ Buffer Zone

C & D Cleaning and Disinfection

CA Control Area

CBPP Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CIP Clean-in-place

COP Clean-out-of-place 

CP Contact Premises

CVI Certificate of Veterinary Inspection

CVO Chief Veterinary Officer

DIVA Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals 

EDI Emerging Disease Incident

EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EZ Exclusion Zone

FAD Foreign Animal Disease

FADD Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostician

FAD PReP Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Plan

FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration

FIFRA Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

FMD Foot-and-Mouth Disease

FP Free Premises

HTST High temperature, short time pasteurization
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 46 of 70

ID Identification

IM Intramuscular

IP Infected Premises

IZ Infected Zone

MLV Modified Live Vaccine

MP Monitored Premises

NASS National Agricultural Statistics Services

NAHEMS National Animal Health Emergency Management System

NAHERC National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps

NAHMS National Animal Health Monitoring System

NSM Non-saleable milk

NCAHEM National Center for Animal Health Emergency Management

OIE Office International des Epizooties’ currently referred to as the World Organization for Animal Health

PPE Personal Protective Equipment

PMO Pasteurized Milk Ordinance

RFID Radio Frequency Identification

RFV Rift Valley Fever

SMS Secure Milk Supply

SOP Standard Operating Procedures

SP Suspect Premises

SC Subcutaneous

SZ Surveillance Zone

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

VP Vaccinated Premises

VS Veterinary Services; a division of APHIS

Acronyms
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 47 of 70

Aseptic processing

Method of processing milk to prevent organism contamination. Commonly used for sterile milk products to improve 

shelf life.

Bulk tank

Stainless steel milk receptacle located in the milk house on farm that stores, cools and periodically agitates milk 

until it is picked up by the milk hauler.

Bull

An intact male bovine.

Calf hotel

A structure designed to house multiple calves in individual pens but the pens are attached side-by-side; sizes range 

from 3 to 6 pens in one hotel. Calves do not typically have direct contact except at the front of the pen where they 

can touch noses.

Calf nursery

An operation dedicated to the raising of calves from birth through weaning; calves still on milk. These can include 

just heifers, just bulls or both. Calf nurseries typically raise calves for 2 months on milk and 2 months on solid feed. 

Heifers return to the home dairy or move to a calf/heifer ranch. The bulls are moved to feedlots. Calf nurseries are 

typically found in the western and southwestern United States and can contain thousands of calves from multiple 

dairies in multiple states.

Calf/heifer ranch

An operation that raises heifer calves, and possibly bull calves, from birth or from weaning depending on the facility. Heifers are raised through breeding age or just before calving based on the needs of the home dairy. Bulls are 

often sold at weaning. Calf/heifer ranches are typically found in the western and southwestern United States and can 

contain thousands of calves from multiple dairies in multiple states.

Calf starter

A grain mix fed to calves as their first ‘whole food’. It typically consists of corn, a protein pellet with or without a 

sweetener like molasses.

Colostrum

The first milk produced by a cow that has just calved. It is rich in nutrients and proteins that the newborn calf needs 

to establish immunity against disease pathogens. This milk is non-saleable for human consumption.

Cooling cells

These are evaporative cooling devices that consist of a series of baffles where water passes through and when air is 

drawn across them, the air is cooled.

Cow

A female bovine that has given birth.

Cull 

To voluntarily remove from the herd and sell to a slaughter facility. Sometimes referred to as ‘market’ cattle.

Dam

The female parent of a calf. 

Dry cow

A female cow that is no longer lactating; typically these animals are in the last 60 days of their pregnancy.

Glossary
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 48 of 70

Early bred heifer

A heifer that is less than 3 months pregnant; early in her gestation.

Esophageal feeder

An apparatus with a long tube and a bag (attached or unattached) designed to feed calves that will not suckle on their 

own. The tube is inserted into the calf’s esophagus and milk or electrolyte solution can be fed via the bag.

Forage

A crop that is high in fiber and fed to ruminant animals (e.g., corn silage, alfalfa hay).

Fore-stripped

Manual removal of streams of milk from the teat prior to milking machine attachment to determine visual quality 

and stimulate milk “letdown”.

Fresh cow

A cow that has recently given birth (calved).

Free stall

An individual cattle stall in a barn where the cattle can freely enter and exit the stall.

Grade A milk (also called fluid grade)

Milk that is produced and processed under rigid sanitary regulations (temperature, bacterial limits, somatic cell 

count) in approved and inspected facilities. All fluid milk for commercial sale must meet this inspection standard.

Grade B milk (also called manufacturing grade)

Milk that does not meet fluid grade standards; less stringent standards for somatic cell count and bacterial count 

apply. Grade B milk can only be used in manufactured products, like cheese and butter.

Hauler

The business contracted by a milk processing plant to pick up raw milk at a dairy and transport it to the 

processing facility.

Hay

A high fiber crop (grass or legumes) that is mowed, allowed to dry in the field and made into bales (square or round) 

and moved to the dairy to be fed to cows as a roughage.

Haylage

Green forage such as alfalfa or other grasses that is chopped in the field with a tractor and transported in wagons to 

the dairy where it is stored in a pile on the ground, blown into a silo, or blown into long plastic bags and packed to 

remove air so that it undergoes fermentation to prevent spoilage.

Heifer 

A female calf that has not given birth.

Heifer raiser/grower

An operation dedicated to the raising of heifer calves from birth or weaning through breeding and in some cases, just 

before calving. These operations will raise calves from only one operation or from several dairies. Ownership of the 

calves could be retained by the dairy operation that provided the heifers or the developer could purchase the calves.

Glossary
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 49 of 70

Highly contagious foreign animal disease (FAD)

A disease that spreads rapidly from animal-to-animal as well as herd-to-herd through direct contact, aerosol, oral, 

fomite or vector-borne transmission. Highly contagious FADs may be recognized by above normal morbidity or 

mortality per unit time, where morbidity could be characterized solely by a decrease in production.

Maximum incubation period 

The longest period which elapses between the introduction of the pathogen into a susceptible animal and the occurrence of the first clinical signs (or other epidemiological evidence) compatible with the FAD agent.

Milking unit (claw or cluster)

The apparatus that connects to the teats of a cow to collect milk using pulsation and vacuum pressure. It consists of 

4 individual milking cups that have rubber or silicone liners. They drain into a central cup that drains into one hose 

connected to the stainless steel milk line.

Milk permeate

A high lactose, soluble protein and mineral by-product of cheese manufacturing that can be used as an energy, protein and mineral source for livestock.

Milk replacer

Powdered milk product that when mixed with warm water provides nutrients to a pre-weaned calf.

Mortality

Death of an animal; dead animals can be referred to as mortalities.

Nonsaleable milk (NSM)

Milk from cows that cannot be sold commercially. Often referred to as waste milk. This milk may have antibiotic 

residues in it from treating the lactating cow for a disease condition or the milk could contain infectious cells from 

mastitis or transition milk after calving.

Off-site rearing facility/operation

Facilities that house calves (heifers and bulls) moved off the dairy operation where they were born to be raised. 

There are regional differences in terms used to describe these operations and the length of time they keep the animals. See calf nursery, calf ranch, heifer raiser/grower for more information.

Pre-fresh

The 3 to 4 weeks just prior to calving. Cows and heifers in this part of their gestation are referred to as pre-fresh and 

often housed and fed separate from other pregnant animals.

Ruminant

Animals (cattle, sheep, goats, deer and camels) with a four-compartment stomach (rumen, reticulum, omasum, 

abomasum) that digests forages and grains and turns it into energy. Ruminants chew their cud (regurgitate forages 

from the rumen) to aid in digestion.

Silage

Green forage such as field corn, alfalfa (referred to as haylage), grasses, oats, wheat, that is chopped in the field with 

a tractor and transported in wagons to the dairy where it is stored in a pile on the ground, blown into a silo, or blown 

into long plastic bags and packed to remove air so that it undergoes fermentation to prevent spoilage.

SOP

Standard Operating Procedures that provide specific details related to various topic areas.

Glossary
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 50 of 70

Stanchion

An individual cattle stall in a barn where the cow is tethered by a movable head catch at the front of the stall that 

restrains the cow around her neck.

Steer

A castrated male bovine.

Tie-stall

An individual cattle stall in a barn where the cow is tethered by a loose-fitting collar around her neck which is attached to the front of the stall.

Ultra-pasteurization

Process of heating milk to 125-138°C for 2-4 seconds and cooling it below 7°C in an effort to extend the shelf life 

beyond what is traditionally expected. It does not sterilize the milk; the milk will eventually spoil.

Whey

A byproduct of cheese making that contains protein and minerals that can be fed to livestock. It is available liquid or 

as a dried product and as sweet whey or acid whey, depending on the cheese being manufactured.

Zoonotic disease

Those diseases spread between animals and humans through direct contact with infectious fluids (at calving, during 

urination, defecation), drinking unpasteurized milk or through vectors such as ticks or mosquitoes.

Glossary
Bovine Routes of Transmission and 

High Consequence Disease Examples

This information was developed by staff 

veterinarians at the CFSPH. For more 

information on these diseases, visit: 

www.cfsph.iastate.edu.

FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 51 of 70

Aerosol: Droplets are passed through the air from one animal to 

another. Examples include contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), 

foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), malignant catarrhal fever, melioidosis, 

and vesicular stomatitis. 

Disease causing agents can be spread from animal-to-animal or animal-to-human and vice versa, through 

a variety of transmission routes.

Direct Contact: A susceptible animal becomes exposed when the 

disease agent directly touches open wounds, mucous membranes, or 

the skin through blood, saliva, nose to nose contact, rubbing, or biting. 

Examples include CBPP, FMD, lumpy skin disease, malignant catarrhal 

fever, rinderpest, vesicular stomatitis.

Reproductive: A subtype of direct contact that includes diseases 

spread through mating or to the fetus during pregnancy. An 

example would be CBPP. 

Fomite: An inanimate object carrying a disease agent from one 

susceptible animal to another. Examples include FMD, vesicular stomatitis.

Trac: A subtype of fomite transmission in which a vehicle, trailer, 

or human spreads organic material to another location. 

Oral: Consuming disease causing agents in contaminated feed, water 

or licking/chewing on contaminated environmental objects. Examples 

include bovine spongiform encephalopathy and FMD. 

Vector-borne: An insect acquires a disease agent from one animal 

and transmits it to another. Examples include akabane (mosquitoes), 

babesiosis (ticks), heartwater (ticks), lumpy skin disease (mosquitoes, 

ies), Rift Valley fever (mosquitoes), screwworm (y larvae), vesicular 

stomatitis (mosquitoes). 

Zoonotic: Diseases transmitted from animals to humans. Examples 

include vesicular stomatitis and Rift Valley fever.

Environmental Contamination must always be taken into consideration. 
Prevention Practices for Foot-and-Mouth 

Disease (FMD) on U.S. Dairies

This information was developed by 

staff veterinarians at the CFSPH for use 

as educational materials in the event 

of a Highly Contagious Foreign Animal 

Disease outbreak in the United States.

FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 52 of 70

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious 

viral disease of cattle and other cloven-hooved animals 

such as pigs, sheep, and goats. The last known outbreak 

in the United States was in 1929; however, the disease is 

common in other parts of the world and therefore poses 

a risk to U.S. dairy herds. 

If a case of FMD is confirmed anywhere in the United 

States, it could spread rapidly across the nation. If any 

animal on your farm is confirmed to have FMD, all may 

be euthanized and disposed of to control the further 

spread of the disease. 

This document describes biosecurity practices you can 

take to prevent FMD from entering your farm. These 

measures should be put into place IMMEDIATELY on 

your farm if FMD is confirmed anywhere in the U.S. and 

continued until the U.S. is once again declared FMD free. 

Transmission of the Disease

Understanding how FMD is spread to and between 

cattle can help highlight the importance of biosecurity 

measures needed on your farm and help you recognize 

areas that may need additional work to prevent disease 

introduction and spread.

FMD can be spread orally by ingestion of contaminated 

feed. Transmission can also occur through direct contact 

with infected animals. The virus can be found in all body 

fluids of infected cattle, including expired air, nasal 

secretions, blood, urine, feces, saliva and even semen. The 

virus can also be spread reproductively. This can occur 

via semen (bull to cow) or during pregnancy (cow to calf).

FMD virus can also survive in the environment, contaminating equipment, pens, buckets, even footwear and clothing of people in contact with infected cattle. These items 

(termed “fomites”) can serve as an additional source of 

virus for susceptible cattle. If infected cattle are transported 

in vehicles or trailers, these items can also become contaminated and serve as a source of the virus on the farm 

or to other farms, if not properly cleaned and disinfected.

Another less common route of transmission includes 

aerosol spread in closed areas. 

General Precautionary Measures

Prevention measures to minimize the introduction 

and spread of FMD on your farm fall into three 

general categories.

1. Use strict biosecurity measures for animals, animal 

 products, vehicles, people and equipment.

2. Restrict or stop all animal movement to prevent 

 entry or spread of the disease.

3. Detect and report any disease or unusual signs to 

 your herd veterinarian as quickly as possible. 

Specific steps to take if FMD is confirmed in the U.S. are 

listed below. Many should already be in place on your 

farm but should be enhanced and more strictly enforced 

if FMD is found in the U.S. These measures can help 

minimize the chance of FMD being introduced on your 

farm. Specific biosecurity performance standards for 

dairy premises, milk tankers, and dairy processing plants 

are being developed as part of the SMS Plan.

Farm Entrance

Limit access to your farm.

•	 The entrance to your farm is a major control point. 

•	 Gates at farm entries should be locked when not 

 in use. 

•	 By having only one gated entrance to the farm, 

 you can better control and monitor all visitors and 

 vehicles arriving at your farm. 

Post signs at the farm entrance (Appendix A).

Signs inform unauthorized visitors to not enter your 

farm. When entry is necessary, signs give specific rules 

and biosecurity measures to follow while on your farm.

Restrict or limit visitors on your farm.

•	 At all times, limit the number of visitors to the farm. 

•	 Visitors who have traveled internationally within the

past five days should not be allowed to enter the farm. 

•	 Post warning signs indicating entry onto the farm 

 is not allowed without permission.

Strict biosecurity measures must be followed by 

any visitors to the farm.

Some visitors are essential for the continued operation 

of the farm. Establish strict biosecurity procedures for 

these individuals, then inform them of the measures to 

follow while on your farm. 

•	 Honk before getting out of their vehicle (to 

 announce their arrival).
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 53 of 70

Prevention Practices for Foot-and-Mouth 

Disease (FMD) on U.S. Dairies

•	 Check-in with farm personnel upon arrival 

(direct visitors to “where” they should check in). 

•	 Be accompanied by someone from the farm at 

all times to ensure biosecurity measures are 

being followed.

•	 Visitors and vehicles should avoid contact with 

animals or animal areas unless absolutely necessary.

•	 If animal contact is necessary, wear clean farmspecific protective clothing (e.g., coveralls, boots) 

while on the farm. Guide visitors to where 

protective clothing is located. These items should 

remain on-farm when the visitor leaves.

Monitor and record all traffic on or off your farm.

Maintain a log sheet (Appendix B) of all visitors and 

vehicles that enter your farm. Accurate record keeping of 

traffic on your farm will help with disease surveillance and 

tracking if necessary. You should not rely on your ability 

to “recall” visitors and vehicles that were on your farm.

Vehicles

Minimize traffic onto your farm to only vehicles 

essential for continued operation.

•	 Vehicles should be parked at the farm entrance, 

away from animal areas, or in designated parking 

areas. These areas should preferably be concrete 

or paved areas.

•	 Off-farm vehicles should not be allowed to drive 

onto your farm unless necessary. If necessary, 

vehicles should be cleaned and disinfected or 

restricted to areas where vehicle traffic is allowed.

•	 Have deliveries left at the farm entrance 

whenever possible.

Clean and disinfect vehicles prior to entry and 

upon leaving.

•	 All vehicles entering the farm must first clean 

off then spray their wheels, wheel wells and 

undercarriage with disinfectant.

•	 Facilities for washing and disinfecting vehicles 

should be provided on-farm at the perimeter, 

accounting for drainage.

Do not share equipment or vehicles between 

farms or sites.

People

Limit employees to only those necessary for the 

continued operation of the farm.

Employees that have contact with swine, cattle, 

sheep or goats at other locations (including their 

own home) should use very strict biosecurity 

measures while on your farm.

Implement strict biosecurity measures for 

employees coming onto the farm.

•	 Clean boots, hats and coveralls must be worn while 

on the farm. These should be provided by your farm.

•	 Protective clothing should remain on your farm 

 and be washed and/or disinfected before being 

 worn again. 

•	 Disinfect footwear before entering AND after 

 leaving any animal housing area. 

•	 Boot baths should be provided at the entrance/exit 

of all animal areas. The disinfectant solution should 

be changed at least daily or when visibly soiled.

•	 Hands must be washed with soap and warm water 

before entering AND after leaving animal areas 

 even when gloves are used.

•	 Minimize contact with animals to only tasks nec- 

 essary for the continued operation of the farm and 

 health and well-being of the animals. 

Educate your employees on their role in preventing 

disease introduction and spread. They should:

•	 Understand how FMD can be spread;

•	 Understand the farm’s biosecurity procedures and 

 how to prevent the spread of the disease;

•	 Know the signs of illness in cattle with FMD; and

•	 Know who to contact if signs of disease are seen.

Animal Movement

If FMD is confirmed in the U.S., movement restrictions 

may be implemented locally, regionally and possibly 

nationally. Restrictions will depend on the scope of 

the outbreak.

Know the health status and the source of any 

animal(s) brought onto your farm.

If animal movement is allowed in your area, thoroughly clean and disinfect the transport vehicle 

and trailer before loading and after unloading.

•	 Pay special attention to the tires and wheel wells.

•	 Avoid mixing cattle, especially young stock, from 

different sources when transporting.

Maintain thorough and accurate records of 

animal movement.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 54 of 70

Prevention Practices for Foot-and-Mouth 

Disease (FMD) on U.S. Dairies

•	 Document all animal movements, including 

the dates of introduction into the herd, where 

they came from and movements between 

separate units. 

•	 Each farm location must be treated as a separate 

unit or premises. This information will be essential 

to help trace where the disease came from.

Animals

Do not feed unpasteurized milk to calves. 

Do not allow your animals to have contact 

with wildlife.

•	 Feral swine, bison, elk, and antelope are also 

susceptible to FMD and, if infected, could 

potentially spread the virus to domestic cattle. 

Monitor animals closely and frequently for any 

developing illness or signs of disease.

Educate yourself and train your employees about 

FMD and the signs of illness (Appendix C).

•	 Fever 

•	 Blistering or ulcers on the mouth, tongue, feet or teats

•	 Increased salivation or slobbering

•	 Dullness or weakness

•	 Refusal to eat

•	 Signs of lameness

•	 Refusal to walk or move

Isolate any animals showing the signs above and 

contact your herd veterinarian immediately to 

examine them.

Use separate facilities, equipment and staff to 

handle isolated livestock.

•	 If this is not possible, at a minimum, handle or 

visit the isolated animals LAST. 

•	 Clean and disinfect all equipment, clothing, boots, 

etc. that come into contact with isolated animals.

Quarantine any newly purchased or newly arriving 

animals for at least 30 days.

•	 New or returning animals (e.g. shows, competitions) 

can be infected with a disease without showing 

any signs of illness right away. 

•	 Quarantining the animal(s) before introducing 

them with the rest of the herd, allows time for any 

signs of disease to develop in the animal, without 

exposing your entire herd to the disease agent. 

•	 Cattle exposed to the FMD virus may take up to 

 14 days or more before signs of illness are seen. 

•	 Quarantined animals should not share water, feed, 

 facilities or bedding with your other animals. 

•	 Ideally, animals should be quarantined at a separate 

 location (premises).

Wildlife and Other Animals

Prevent contact with free roaming animals 

(wildlife, cats, dogs).

•	 Free roaming animals can potentially spread 

 the FMD virus from infected to susceptible 

 animals.

•	 Keep pets in a kennel or tied securely to avoid 

 contact with livestock and feed areas.

•	 Ask your neighbors to do the same.

Control of wildlife will be difficult, but should 

be attempted.

•	 Keep farm access routes, parking areas, yards and 

 storage areas clean and tidy to avoid attraction of 

 birds or rodents.

•	 Implement rodent and vermin control measures 

 to minimize the potential spread of disease by 

 these animals (Appendix D).

Cleaning and Disinfection

The virus that causes FMD has shown to be stable in 

the environment. Virus stability increases at lower temperatures and with protection from sunlight. FMD virus 

is inactivated at pH below 6.5 or above 11. Effective 

disinfectants include sodium hydroxide (2%), sodium 

carbonate (4%), acetic acid (5%), sodium hypochlorite 

(6.0%) and proprietary products. In addition to selecting 

an effective disinfectant, proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures are essential in order to adequately and 

effectively control the spread of the virus.

Proper Cleaning Procedures

1. Wear personal protective equipment: Gloves, 

 coveralls, rubber boots (or disposable boots) and 

 possibly a mask if you are cleaning an area that 

 will generate dust. 

2. Dry clean: Remove all visible material by brush 

 ing, scraping and/or sweeping. This is the most 

 important step as organic matter prevents many 

disinfectants from working effectively. Disposal of 

 waste material should be handled in such a way as 

 to prevent contamination of other areas such as 

 feed, water or other animals.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 55 of 70

Prevention Practices for Foot-and-Mouth 

Disease (FMD) on U.S. Dairies

3. Soak: Soak the area with hot water and a detergent 

or cleaning agent. Be sure to wash and soap down 

all equipment in the area: waterers, feed troughs, 

pails, etc.

4. Wash: Wipe, spray or scrub the area, starting with 

the dirtiest or highest area (ceiling), after it has 

soaked for a period of time. This step can be 

enhanced by the use of pressure washers when 

cleaning wood, cement, or other porous surfaces. 

Use caution when using high pressure washers 

(200-1000 psi) as they can aerosolize disease 

organisms and spread them to other areas.

5. Rinse: Remove all detergent residue by applying a 

low pressure water rinse on all surfaces, starting 

with the highest area and working your way to the 

floor. This is especially important as certain disinfectants are inactivated by detergents and soaps.

6. Dry: Allow the area to dry completely before 

applying a disinfectant so that it can work effectively.

Proper Disinfecting Procedures

1. Read the product label: This is important to make 

sure the solution is handled correctly. Personal 

protective equipment (gloves, mask) should be used 

when mixing up solutions. Other considerations to 

review before applying solutions to fomites include 

specific dilutions, water temperature, environmental temperature, the need for ventilation and the 

disease organisms killed by the disinfectant.

2. Disinfect: Apply the product at the correct dilution 

and let it “sit and work” for the suggested amount 

of time. Contact time of the disinfectant is important for the product to inactivate or kill the microorganism present.

3. Final rinse: Remove all disinfectant by applying a 

low pressure water rinse on all surfaces, starting with 

the highest area and working your way to the floor.

4. Dry: Allow the area to completely dry before 

allowing animals to contact the area or item that 

was just cleaned and disinfected.

Proper Boot Bath Procedures

1. Mix solution to the proper concentration according 

to the label instructions.

2. Clean all dirt, manure and debris off of boots 

BEFORE stepping into the disinfectant solution. 

The presence of organic material (dirt, manure, 

etc.) will prevent most disinfectants from working.

3. Allow the disinfectant solution to have ample contact time with the boot surface. This will vary with 

the disinfectant selected. Consult the product label. 

4. Change solutions at least daily or when visibly dirty.

Proper Storage

If the equipment or area will not be used immediately, 

it is important to avoid contamination between uses. Small

items can be placed into plastic bags and sealed; larger 

items can be placed into closed cabinets. Equipment 

and housing areas are more difficult to protect for long 

periods of time and may need to be rinsed again before 

allowing animal contact.

Barns and Buildings

Clean and disinfect anything that has had contact 

with animals, manure or animal secretions. 

•	 This includes barns and buildings, vehicles, trailers, 

 equipment, and supplies.

•	 Tires and wheel wells of vehicles and trailers are 

 especially important.

•	 Surfaces should be scraped, cleaned with high 

 pressure hot water and detergent, and rinsed.

•	 The disinfectant should then be applied and 

 allowed to “sit” for the optimal contact time.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 56 of 70

Prevention Practices for Foot-and-Mouth 

Disease (FMD) on U.S. Dairies

DO NOT

PLEASE,

WITHOUT PERMISSION

ENTER

www.cfsph.iastate.edu

Sample signs to post at the farm entrance in the event of a FMD outbreak in the U.S. 

(Available from the CFSPH web site at www.cfsph.iastate.edu)

Signage is also available from private companies such as Gempler’s.

Appendix A - Sample Signs 

www.cfsph.iastate.edu

www.cfsph.iastate.edu

• Only enter this farm with permission

• Park at the entrance or in designated 

parking areas

• Check-in with farm personnel upon 

arrival and sign the visitor log

• Follow instructions provided by farm 

personnel at all times

• Leave deliveries in areas designated 

by farm personnel 

• All visitors must be accompanied by 

farm personnel at all times

• Do not handle or contact animals 

unless permission is granted by 

farm personnel

Comply with all 

posted signs, rules, 

and biosecurity regulations 

on this farm.

Your cooperation 

is appreciated for your 

own safety and the 

health of our animals.

BEFORE EXITING VEHICLE

TO ANNOUNCE ARRIVAL

www.cfsph.iastate.edu

www.cfsph.iastate.edu
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 57 of 70

Prevention Practices for Foot-and-Mouth 

Disease (FMD) on U.S. Dairies

Visit 

Date

Name and 

Phone Number Reason for Visit

Date of Last 

Contact with 

Livestock

Time In Time Out

Appendix B - Daily Visitor Log
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 58 of 70

Prevention Practices for Foot-and-Mouth 

Disease (FMD) on U.S. Dairies

Excessive drooling following blistering 

and lesions in the mouth

Source: Pam Hullinger, California Department of 

Food and Agriculture

Ulcers on tongue

Source: Plum Island Animal Disease Center

Ulcer between the toes

Source: Plum Island Animal Disease Center

Ruptured blister on the end of a teat

Source: Plum Island Animal Disease Center

P.I.A.D.C.

P.I.A.D.C.

Appendix C - Signs of Illness in Cattle
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 59 of 70

Prevention Practices for Foot-and-Mouth 

Disease (FMD) on U.S. Dairies

FMD virus may be spread on the fur, feathers, or feet of 

some animals. Birds and rodents may spread FMD for a 

short time and distance during an outbreak and can also 

contaminate feed and water sources. Control programs 

should be implemented to minimize their numbers and 

the risk of disease spread on your farm.

Eliminate openings for rodents or birds to 

enter, especially feed storage or processing areas.

•	 Seal any opening greater than 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch with a 

durable material such as steel wool packed tightly 

into openings.

•	 Use materials that cannot be easily gnawed or 

pecked through such as concrete, sheet metal, wire 

mesh, aluminum or brick. Plastic sheeting, wood, 

rubber will not be adequate. 

•	 Check openings around augers, pipes and wires. 

Use mortar, masonry or metal collars in these areas.

•	 Doors, windows and screens should fit tightly. The 

distance between the bottom of the door and 

threshold should not exceed 1⁄4 inch.

•	 Drainage pipes or sewage systems may be used by 

rodents as routes to enter buildings. Equip floor 

drains with metal grates (openings less than 1⁄4”).

Remove potential hiding, resting and 

nesting sites.

•	 Equipment (e.g., refrigerators, powerwashers, etc.) 

should be raised and easily movable to allow for 

easy cleaning behind and underneath them.

•	 Bagged feed should be stacked on pallets with 

adequate space around and under them to allow 

easy inspection for signs of rodent activity and 

trap or bait placement.

•	 Rats can burrow and nest under feed bunks placed 

directly on the ground. Use of a concrete base 

around feed bunks can eliminate habitat. 

•	 Maintain the water level in livestock waterers so 

it is deep enough that birds cannot stand in it.

•	 Hanging strips of heavy plastic vertically in doorways of buildings will allow machinery and people 

to pass through but keeps birds out. This will not 

prevent rodent entry.

•	 Cover the undersides of rafters with netting to 

exclude birds from nesting sites.

Eliminate potential food sources.

•	 Store feed in well sealed containers (preferably 

 metal with tight fitting lids).

•	 Use covered feeders that exclude birds.

•	 Clean up any spilled feed immediately.

Establish a rodent barrier around buildings.

•	 A 3 foot wide weed-free area with a gravel rock 

 perimeter can be used to prevent weed growth and 

 discourage rodents from burrowing. 

•	 Gravel (at least 1 inch diameter) should be placed 

 in a band at least 3 foot wide and 6 inches deep. 

Trap rodents to reduce vector transmission.

•	 Proper placement of traps and baits is important. 

Set traps close to walls, behind objects, in dark 

 corners, in places where rodent activity is evident.

•	 Use talc or flour patches to track where rodents 

 are active.

Bait rodents when trapping is not possible 

or effective. 

•	 When using rodenticide baits, first read the label 

 carefully and fully follow the directions. 

•	 Use the amount of bait indicated on the package. 

 Requirements differ between products.

•	 Protect baits from the weather.

•	 Be sure baits are not accessible to children, farm 

 or domestic animals and birds.

•	 Inspect baits regularly. Check often for dead 

 rodents and burn or bury those you find.

Contact a wildlife pest control operator in 

your state for further assistance. Other 

control methods are available, but beyond 

the scope of this document.

Check local legislation for allowable bird 

control measures. Many birds are protected 

by state and/or federal law. 

Appendix D - Bird and Rodent Control Measures
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 60 of 70

Prevention Practices for Foot-and-Mouth 

Disease (FMD) on U.S. Dairies

For More Information

•	 Pierce RA. Bait Stations for Controlling Rats and 

Mice. University of Missouri Extension. 

http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/agguidees/

wildlife/g09444.htm.

•	 Brittingham MC, Falker ST. Controlling birds 

around farm buildings. Pennsylvania State University Extension. http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/ 

pdfs/uh126.pdf.

•	 See T. Controlling rodents. North Carolina State 

University Extension. http://www.thepigsite.com/ 

Featured Article/Default.asp?Display=1015.

•	 Baker RO, Bodman GR, Timm RM. Rodent- proof 

construction and exclusion methods. University of 

Nebraska. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/nreos/wild/pdf/

wildilfe/RODENT_PROOF_CONSTRUCT.PDF.

Appendix D - Bird and Rodent Control Measures
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 61 of 70

Prevention Practices for Foot-and-Mouth 

Disease (FMD) on U.S. Dairies

Appendix E - EPA and USDA Approved Disinfectants for FMD 

Product Dilution Mixing Instructions Comments

Acetic acid* 

(vinegar)

5% Add 8 ounces of glacial 

aceticl acid to 1 gallon of 

water. Mix thoroughly.

Household vinegar is a 5% 

solution of acetic acid. 

Always add acid to water - 

NEVER add water to acid.

Sodium carbonate* 

(soda ash)

4% Add 5.33 ounces sodium 

carbonate to 1 gallon of 

hot water (or 1 pound to 3 

gallons). Mix thoroughly.

Can be deactivated by 

hard water. Mildly caustic 

(irritate skin) and dull 

paint/varnished surfaces.

Sodium hypchlorite 

6.0%* (NaOCl) 

(household bleach)

1:10 Add 1.5 cups of chlorine 

bleach to 1 gallon of water. 

Mix thoroughly.

Must be mixed fresh prior 

to each application; 

unstable in warm, sunny 

conditions (above 59o

F).

*USDA-APHIS has an exemption for use of this chemical to inactivate FMD and only USDA personnel may 

use it as described.

Proprietary products Follow label directions. As of August 2010, there 

are 7 products registered 

by EPA with a claim to 

inactivate FMD virus.

Note: Before disinfecting, all surfaces must be cleaned. This includes removing any 

visible material such as manure, bedding, and feed.

Sodium hydroxide* 

(lye, NaOH)

2% Add 1/3 cup of NaOH 

pellets (2.7 ounces of lye) 

to 1 gallon of cold water.

Highly caustic (skin burns, 

damages metals). Use 

water-resistant protective 

clothing, gloves, safety 

glasses. Warning: Always 

add the lye to water - 

NEVER pour water over lye.

Product

Acetic acid* 

(vinegar)

Sodium carbonate* 

(soda ash)

Sodium hypchlorite 

6.0%* (NaOCl) 

(household bleach)

Proprietary products

Sodium hydroxide* 

(lye, NaOH)

Mixing Instructions

Add 8 ounces of glacial 

aceticl acid to 1 gallon of 

water. Mix thoroughly.

Add 5.33 ounces sodium 

carbonate to 1 gallon of 

hot water (or 1 pound to 3 

gallons). Mix thoroughly.

Add 1.5 cups of chlorine 

bleach to 1 gallon of water. 

Mix thoroughly.

Follow label directions.

Note: Before disinfecting, all surfaces must be cleaned. This includes removing any 

visible material such as manure, bedding, and feed.

Add 1/3 cup of NaOH 

pellets (2.7 ounces of lye) 

to 1 gallon of cold water.

Sources: USDA. National Emergency Response to a HIghly Contagious Animal Disease, Executive Summary. Appendix III - Disinfectants for Foot-andMouth Disease, Field Use. March 30, 2001. At http://www.aphis.usda.gov/emergency_response/tools/cleaning/htdocs/images/Annex09_Cleaning.pdf

Personal communication, Jeff Kempter, Senior Advisor Antimicrobials Division, Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency 

Proprietary products are listed at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/emergency_response/downloads/nahems/Selected%20FAD%20table%20Oct%2008.pdf
This information was developed by 

staff veterinarians at the CFSPH for use 

as educational materials in the event 

of a Highly Contagious Foreign Animal 

Disease outbreak in the United States.

FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 62 of 70

Prevention Practices for Rift Valley Fever 

(RVF) on U.S. Dairies

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a fever-causing viral disease 

that severely affects cattle, sheep, goats and humans. 

There is a very high rate of abortion and death in newborn

animals. RVF is spread between animals and humans 

by mosquitoes. A mosquito will feed on blood from an 

animal/person with RVF and spread RVF to a new animal 

when it feeds again. The virus is not present in the United 

States but the mosquito capable of carrying it is found 

here. The virus is found in other parts of the world (most 

of Africa) and therefore poses a risk to U.S. dairy herds. 

If a case of RVF is confirmed anywhere in the United 

States, mosquitoes could spread it across the nation. If 

any animal on your farm is confirmed to have RVF, all 

animals on the farm that could get sick (cattle, sheep 

and goats) may be euthanized and disposed of to control 

the further spread of the disease. 

This document describes biosecurity practices you can 

take to prevent RVF from entering your farm. These 

measures should be put into place IMMEDIATELY on 

your farm if RVF is confirmed anywhere in the U.S. and 

continued until the U.S. is once again declared RVF free. 

Transmission of the Disease 

Mosquitoes (vectors) are the most important way that 

RVF is spread between animals and to humans. RVF 

virus can be spread during pregnancy (direct contact

from cow to calf). The virus has also been found in 

semen and raw milk.

In humans, exposure to the virus can occur via aerosols

being inhaled while assisting with the birth of infected 

animals, during a necropsy or slaughter. The virus could 

also enter abrasions on the skin (direct contact) during 

one of the above procedures. 

General Precautionary Measures

Prevention measures to minimize the introduction 

and spread of RVF on your farm fall into four 

general categories.

1. Restrict or stop all animal movement to prevent 

 entry or spread of the disease.

2. Observe, detect and report any disease or unusual 

signs to your herd veterinarian as quickly as possible.

3. Mosquitoes are the most important way that RVF 

 is spread. Control of mosquito breeding sites 

 (stock tanks, ponds, old tires, etc.) is the key to 

 prevent spread of the disease.

4. Humans can get Rift Valley Fever. Protect yourself 

against mosquito bites and use personal protective 

equipment (respirator, gloves, eye protection, etc.) when 

handling tissues from animals that have aborted (placenta, 

fetus, etc.).

Specific steps to take if RVF is confirmed in the U.S. are 

listed below. Many should already be in place on your 

farm but should be enhanced and more strictly enforced if 

RVF is found in the U.S. These measures can help minimize the chance of RVF being introduced on your farm.

Farm Entrance

Limit access to your farm.

•	 The entrance to your farm is a major control point. 

•	 Gates at farm entries should be locked when not 

 in use. 

•	 By having only one gated entrance to the farm, 

 you can better control and monitor all visitors and 

 vehicles arriving at your farm. 

Post signs at the farm entrance (Appendix A).

Signs inform unauthorized visitors to not enter your 

farm. When entry is necessary, signs give specific rules 

and biosecurity measures to follow while on your farm.

Restrict or limit visitors on your farm.

•	 At all times, limit the number of visitors to the farm. 

•	 People can get RVF. Infected humans may serve as 

 a source of the virus for mosquitoes which could 

 spread the disease to animals or humans. Visitors 

 who have traveled internationally within the past 

 five days should not be allowed to enter the farm. 

•	 Post warning signs indicating entry onto the farm 

 is not allowed without permission.

Strict biosecurity measures must be followed by 

any visitors to the farm.

Some visitors are essential for the continued operation 

of the farm. Establish strict biosecurity procedures for 

these individuals, then inform them of the measures to 

follow while on your farm. 

•	 Check-in with farm personnel upon arrival 

 (direct visitors to “where” they should check in). 

•	 Be accompanied by someone from the farm at 

 all times to ensure biosecurity measures are 

 being followed.

•	

•	

•	

•	
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 63 of 70

Prevention Practices for Rift Valley Fever 

(RVF) on U.S. Dairies

•	 Visitors and vehicles should avoid contact with 

animals or animal areas unless absolutely necessary.

•	 If animal contact is necessary, wear clean farmspecific protective clothing (e.g., coveralls, boots) 

while on the farm. Guide visitors to where protective 

clothing is located. These items should remain 

on-farm when the visitor leaves.

Monitor and record all traffic on or off your farm.

Maintain a log sheet (Appendix B) of all visitors 

and vehicles that enter your farm. Accurate record 

keeping of traffic on your farm will help with disease 

surveillance and tracking if necessary. You should not 

rely on your ability to “recall” visitors and vehicles 

that were on your farm.

People

People can get RVF several ways (see Appendix C):

•	 Being bitten by a mosquito.

•	 Handling infected animal tissues or fluids.

•	 Breathing in the virus when handling infected 

animal fluids (blood, birthing tissues, and milk).

Protect yourself against mosquitoes.

•	 When outside, wear long pants and long sleeves to 

cover skin.

•	 Use insect repellants on exposed skin. Repellants 

with N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (commonly 

known as DEET) are the most effective. DEET is 

an insect repellant that is safe to use on people but 

not on pets. Make sure to follow all label directions.

•	 Make sure screens on windows and doors are in 

good repair.

Sick animals should not be processed for meat or 

necropsied during a RVF outbreak.

•	 This can release the virus into the air. People who 

necropsy the animals or process meat may become 

sick by breathing in the virus or by handling the 

meat and organs.

Wear personal protective equipment, such as 

gloves, coveralls, boots, protective eyewear 

and a respirator when handling aborted 

fetuses, birthing tissues, or milking potentially 

infected animals.

Do not allow ill people on your farm.

•	 People with RVF can have a fever, headache, 

muscle and joint pain, nausea and vomiting. These 

 people could spread RVF to a mosquito that could 

 then bite and infect another person or animal.

•	 RVF cannot be passed from person to person; it 

 requires a mosquito.

Limit employees to only those necessary for the 

continued operation of the farm.

Livestock

Monitor animals closely and frequently for any 

developing illness or signs of disease.

Educate yourself and train your employees about 

RVF and the signs of illness in cattle:

•	 Abortions at any stage of pregnancy, up to 85% 

 of pregnant animals

•	 Adult cattle: Fever, snotty nose, watery eyes, 

 runny nose, excessive salivation, refusal to eat, 

 bloody or foul-smelling diarrhea

•	 Calves: Fever, depression, bloody or foul-smelling 

 diarrhea, sudden death 

Contact your herd veterinarian immediately to 

examine sick animals.

Quarantine any newly purchased or newly arriving 

animals for at least 7 days.

•	 New or returning animals (e.g., shows, competitions) 

 can be infected with a disease without showing 

 signs of illness right away.

•	 Cattle exposed to the RVF virus may take up to 3 

days to show signs of illness.

•	 Quarantining the animal(s) before introducing them 

 to the rest of the herd allows time for any signs of 

disease to develop in the animal, without exposing 

your entire herd to the disease agent. The animal can 

 then be examined, diagnosed and treated (if it is 

 not RVF).

•	 Ideally, animals should be quarantined at a separate 

 location (premises). 

Other Animals

Prevent free roaming animals (dogs, cats) from 

coming onto your farm.

•	 Dogs and cats can get RVF, and it can be fatal in 

puppies and kittens.

•	 Infected dogs and cats could serve as a source of 

the RVF virus for mosquitoes to pass the disease to 

your livestock.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 64 of 70

Prevention Practices for Rift Valley Fever 

(RVF) on U.S. Dairies

•	 There are topical insecticide products for dogs, 

applied monthly, that protect against mosquitoes; 

consult your veterinarian for more details.

•	 Keep pets in a kennel or tied securely.

•	 Ask your neighbors to do the same.

Animal Movement

If RVF is confirmed in the U.S., movement restrictions 

may be implemented locally, regionally and possibly 

nationally. Restrictions will depend on the scope of 

the outbreak.

Know the health status and the source of any 

animal(s) brought onto your farm.

•	 Do not bring animals onto your farm unless they 

are proven to be from RVF-free areas.

Maintain thorough and accurate records of 

animal movement.

•	 Document all animal movements, including the 

dates of introduction into the herd, where they 

came from and movements between separate units.

•	 Each farm location must be treated as a separate 

unit or premises.

•	 This information will be essential to help trace 

where the disease came from.

Mosquito Life Cycle and Control

Mosquitoes are the most important way that RVF is spread. 

It is only the female mosquito that feeds on blood as she 

needs the protein to produce eggs. Mosquitoes will lay 

their eggs on or near the edge of water. The mosquito eggs 

will hatch into larvae (also known as “wigglers”) which 

turn into pupae (also known as “tumblers”). The larvae and 

the pupae need to live in water to survive. The pupae 

will change into adult mosquitoes. See Appendix C.

Control of Mosquito Egg Laying Sites (See 

Appendix D)

•	 Egg laying site control is the best way to control 

mosquitoes since they lay eggs in specific areas 

and that can be managed. 

•	 Mosquitoes can lay their eggs any place that can 

hold water. This includes ponds, old tires, tarps, 

tree holes, bird baths and flower pots.

Control of Mosquito Larvae (“wigglers”)

•	 Mosquito larvae need to live in water to survive. 

They can be found in any amount of standing 

water including ponds, old tires, tarps and 

bird baths.

•	 Since mosquito larvae remain in the same water 

 where they hatched from eggs, control of this 

 stage focuses on continued management of 

 mosquito egg laying areas.

•	 The use of pesticides should only be used as a 

 supplement to controlling mosquitoes through 

 the reduction and management of mosquito egg 

 laying sites.

•	 Check with your local extension office or department

 of pest management to determine which pesticides 

 are approved for use in your area.

Control of Mosquito Adults

•	 Control of adults is the least effective way to control 

mosquitoes. Attempting to control adult mosquitoes 

 can be difficult and costly.

•	 Control of adult mosquitoes focuses on the use 

 of pesticides.

•	 The use of pesticides should only be supplemental 

 to controlling mosquitoes through the reduction 

 and management of mosquito egg laying areas.

•	 Check with your local extension office or department 

 of pest management to determine which pesticides 

 are approved for use in your area.

Cleaning and Disinfection

RVF virus can survive in dried blood up to three months

and aerosols at the right temperature (75°F) and humidity 

(50-85%). It is destroyed by strong sunlight/ultraviolet 

(UV) radiation and is quickly destroyed by acidic 

conditions, including decomposing carcasses. Proper 

cleaning and disinfecting procedures are essential in 

order to adequately and effectively control the spread 

of the virus. Lipid solvents, detergents and sodium or 

calcium hypochlorite solutions are effective at inactivating

the virus. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-

registered product must be used; USDA-APHIS may 

have exemptions in place for the use of certain products 

against specific foreign animal diseases. For proper 

guidance in selecting an effective, approved disinfectant 

against Rift Valley Fever, see the FAD PReP/NAHEMS 

Guidelines: Cleaning and Disinfection (2011). 

Remove any organic material before cleaning 

or disinfection.

•	 Most disinfectants are ineffective when dirt, 

manure and other visible material is present.

Clean and disinfect anything that has come in 

contact with birthing tissues or fetuses before it 

is used for another purpose.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 65 of 70

Prevention Practices for Rift Valley Fever 

(RVF) on U.S. Dairies

Clean isolation areas and replace bedding regularly.

•	 Dispose of bedding and manure from isolation 

areas and store it in a fenced off area so that 

live stock or other animals do not have access to it.

References

•	 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United 

Nations (FAO). Manual on Procedures for Disease 

Eradication by Stamping Out, Part: 3 Decontamination procedures. Accessed on January 28, 2010 at 

http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/004/Y0660E03.htm 

•	 International Office for Epizootics (OIE). Animal 

diseases data: Rift Valley Fever. Accessed on 

October 21, 2010 at http://www.oie.int/eng/

maladies/Technical%20disease%20cards/ 

RIFT%20VALLEY%20FEVER_FINAL.pdf

•	 Rift Valley Fever fact sheet, Center for Food Security 

and Public Health, Iowa State University, November

 8, 2006, available at: http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/ 

Factsheets/pdfs/rift_valley_fever.pdf 

•	 Zoonoses and Communicable Diseases Common 

to Man and Animals. Rift Valley Fever. Published 

by the Pan American Health Organization. 2003.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 66 of 70

Prevention Practices for Rift Valley Fever 

(RVF) on U.S. Dairies

Appendix A - Sample Signs 

Sample signs to post at the farm entrance in the event of a RVF outbreak in the U.S. 

(Available from the CFSPH web site at www.cfsph.iastate.edu)

Signage is also available from private companies such as Gempler’s.

DO NOT

PLEASE,

WITHOUT PERMISSION

ENTER

www.cfsph.iastate.edu

www.cfsph.iastate.edu www.cfsph.iastate.edu

• Only enter this farm with permission

• Park at the entrance or in designated 

parking areas

• Check-in with farm personnel upon 

arrival and sign the visitor log

• Follow instructions provided by farm 

personnel at all times

• Leave deliveries in areas designated 

by farm personnel 

• All visitors must be accompanied by 

farm personnel at all times

• Do not handle or contact animals 

unless permission is granted by 

farm personnel

Comply with all 

posted signs, rules, 

and biosecurity regulations 

on this farm.

Your cooperation 

is appreciated for your 

own safety and the 

health of our animals.

www.cfsph.iastate.edu
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 67 of 70

Prevention Practices for Rift Valley Fever 

(RVF) on U.S. Dairies

Appendix B - Daily Visitor Log

Visit 

Date

Name and 

Phone Number Reason for Visit

Date of Last 

Contact with 

Livestock

Time In Time Out
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 68 of 70

Prevention Practices for Rift Valley Fever 

(RVF) on U.S. Dairies

Appendix C - Transmission Routes of Rift Valley Fever 

The female 

mosquito lays 

her eggs by the 

water of a floodprone pasture.

Cow with Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

RVF causes abortions

Eggs develop into larvae.

(also called “wigglers”)

Larvae develop into pupae. 

(also called “tumblers”)

Graphic Created by Clint May, CFSPH

The pupae develop 

into adults and can

now transmit RVF when 

they feed (vector) on 

an animal or person.

People can get RVF 

through direct contact

with birthing tissues 

(placenta, fetus) from cows, 

sheep or goats who have 

aborted due to RVF or from 

breathing it in (aerosol) 

when opening a carcass 

infected with RVF.

Female mosquitoes 

(vector) feed on 

animals and humans 

because they need 

the protein to 

produce eggs. This 

is when they can 

become infected 

with RVF.
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 69 of 70

Prevention Practices for Rift Valley Fever 

(RVF) on U.S. Dairies

Rift Valley Fever virus is spread by mosquitoes. Control 

programs should focus on decreasing their numbers to 

minimize the risk of disease spread on your farm.

Control of Mosquito Egg Laying Sites

•	 Control of mosquito egg laying sites is the best 

control method since they lay eggs in specific 

areas and these areas can be managed. 

•	 Add drainage holes to structures and containers 

that may trap water (barrels, old tires).

•	 Change or circulate the water in stock tanks, pet 

bowls and birdbaths at least once a week.

•	 Drain tarps and covers of collected rainwater after 

a rain (e.g., silage covers). 

•	 Pick up and properly dispose of all trash, especially 

anything that could hold water. 

•	 Thin out weeds and remove old leaves from ponds. 

This will allow natural mosquito-eating fish to easily 

access areas where mosquitoes lay their eggs.

•	 Grade areas where road ruts, potholes and hoofprints exist (around stock tanks, ponds).

•	 Grade newly developed land to prevent standing 

water. These areas create areas for mosquitoes to 

lay eggs.

•	 Fill tree holes with sand, mortar or place drainage 

holes to prevent standing water.

•	 Clean roof gutters to prevent them from becoming 

clogged and holding water.

Control of Mosquito Larvae (“wigglers”)

•	 Check with your local extension office or department of pest management to determine which 

pesticides are approved for use in your area.

•	 The use of pesticides should only be supplemental 

to controlling mosquitoes through the reduction 

and management of mosquito egg laying areas.

•	 Do not apply pesticides to moving water 

(e.g., streams).

•	 Products labeled only for home and garden 

mosquito larval control may be used. Follow all 

label directions.

•	 Non-chemical pesticides can be used.

- Always follow all label directions

- BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) 

 pronounced ba-SILL-us THUR-in-GEN-sus 

 IZ-real-EN-sus.

- BTI granules can be spread over an area of 

 pasture that is flood-prone. Use at the begin-

 ning of the mosquito season and re-apply in 

 the middle of the season. 

- BTI dunks can be used to treat stock tanks. 

 One dunk can treat up to 100 square feet of 

 water surface and can last up to 30 days. 

- Methoprene products can be used to treat areas 

that collect water. These include bird baths, urns, 

 old tires, flower pots, abandoned swimming 

 pools, etc. 

Control of Mosquito Adults

•	 Control of adult mosquitoes is the least efficient 

 control method.

•	 Special equipment is needed to apply pesticides 

 to kill adult mosquitoes (adulticides). Small drop- 

 lets are produced that drift through the air and 

 contact adult mosquitoes to kill them.

•	 Check with your local extension office or depart-

 ment of pest management to determine which 

 pesticides are approved for use in your area.

•	 The use of pesticides should only be supplemental 

 to controlling mosquitoes through the reduction 

 and management of mosquito egg laying sites.

•	 Individuals may use hand-held Ultra Low Volume 

foggers, portable or fogging attachments for tractors 

 or lawn mowers.

•	 Pyrethrin or 5% malathion can be fogged outdoors. 

 Follow all label directions.

•	 Contact your local extension agent for assistance 

 in developing a mosquito management plan.

Personal Protection

•	 People can get Rift Valley fever by being bitten by 

 an infected mosquito.

•	 Protect yourself against mosquitoes.

•	 When outside, wear long pants and long sleeves to 

 cover skin.

•	 Use insect repellants on exposed skin. Repellants 

 with DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) are the 

 most effective.

•	 DEET is an insect repellant that is safe to use on 

 people but not on pets.

•	 Make sure screens on windows and doors are in 

 good repair.

Appendix D - Mosquito Control Measures
FAD PReP Dairy Industry Manual • Page 70 of 70

Prevention Practices for Rift Valley Fever 

(RVF) on U.S. Dairies

It is a violation of state and federal law to use a 

pesticide in any manner that differs from the product 

label. Use only according to label directions to avoid 

meat or milk residue hazards, environmental damage, 

and animal or human injury.

Mosquito References:

•	 Lawler SP, Lanzaro GC. Managing Mosquitoes on

 the Farm. Department of Entomology, University 

of California, Davis. http://axp.ipm.ucdavis.edu/ 

PDF/MOSQ/mosquitoesonfarm.pdf

•	 Potter MF, Townsend L, Knapp FW. Mosquitoes: 

Practical Advice for Homeowners. University of 

Kentucky Department of Entomology. 

http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/

entfacts/misc/ef005.htm

•	 Stringham M, Watson W. Managing Waste 

Lagoons to Control Mosquito Breeding. North 

Carolina State University Department of 

Entomology. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/ 

notes/MedVet/wnv-manage.htm

•	 Larvicides for Mosquito Control. United States 

Environmental Protection Agency. 

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/ 

larvicides4mosquitoes.htm

Appendix D - Mosquito Control Measures