- Farm Journal survey finds 68% of dairies with 250+ cows have biosecurity plans.
- 34% of those farms do not review plans regularly.
- Larger operations (72%) are more likely to make biosecurity updates than smaller ones (58%).
- 20% of dairies leave barns unsecured; 38% fail to control feed access areas.
- Only 33% use surveillance cameras, and 16% lack visitor monitoring.
- Just 29% of producers have consulted cybersecurity experts to protect farm data.
- Findings stress the importance of continuous review and proactive management.
Biosecurity Challenges in Focus
As concerns about H5N1 avian influenza, New World screwworm, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) intensify, Farm Journal’s new research points to opportunities for improvement in dairy biosecurity systems.
The survey of U.S. dairy producers revealed that while many have formal plans in place, nearly one-third fail to review them regularly. Larger herds were more likely to make updates, but smaller producers lagged in plan evaluation and implementation.
On-Farm Security and Monitoring
The report identified several on-farm vulnerabilities. More than one-fifth of respondents said their barns or animal housing are not secured against unauthorized access, and nearly 40% lack adequate control of feed storage areas.
Technology use is mixed: only one-third of dairies use camera surveillance, and 16% have no visitor access monitoring. Handwashing stations are present on about 72% of large dairies, while just 75% of farms separate equipment used for feed and manure handling.
Training and Cyber Preparedness
Farm Journal’s data indicate that training and digital protection also need attention. Only 32% of farms provide training before biosecurity problems arise, and just 30% conduct quarterly team meetings to discuss procedures. Meanwhile, 29% have collaborated with cybersecurity experts to protect data and farm systems.
Together, the results point to an industry that recognizes biosecurity’s importance but often treats it reactively rather than as a daily operational priority.
Strengthening Dairy Resilience
Experts say the findings reinforce that biosecurity and cybersecurity must be viewed as ongoing commitments—not one-time actions. Regular plan reviews, employee education, and the integration of monitoring tools can help farms mitigate disease risks and strengthen operational continuity.
Incremental changes, such as securing a single vulnerable area or reviewing one practice, can have measurable impacts on herd health and biosecurity outcomes.
Read More
Read the full story and survey coverage from Farm Journal here:
👉 Farm Journal: New Research Exposes Vulnerabilities in Dairy Biosecurity Plans and Mounting Threats for Producers
Information sourced from Farm Journal’s dairy industry survey and reporting on the Milk Business Conference.
