Biosecurity officers check stock at cattle sales

Biosecurity officers were walking alongside vendors and buyers at recent cattle sales, checking stock for a clean bill of health.

Of the hundreds of faces in the crowds at cattle sales in the past week, some stood out thanks to their blue uniforms.

Biosecurity officers were present at the mountain calf sales last week and the annual weaner fixtures at Myrtleford.

The latter was attended by Agriculture Victoria Benalla based veterinarian Dr Kate Rowe and animal health officer Tim Poole who were checking the weaners and gave them a clean bill of health.

Dr Kate Rowe, Agriculture Victoria district veterinarian and Tim Poole, Agriculture Victoria animal health office, Benalla, at the Myrtleford cattle sale last week.

Victorian Farmers Federation livestock group president Scott Young said it was good to see biosecurity staff back in the saleyards after their absence during Covid-19.

And Mr Young said it was important to see their presence as a positive for the industry rather than a threat.

“These officers are in the yards to see if there are any issues, whether it is welfare or biosecurity or disease,” Mr Young said.

“The welfare should be fine as we have fit to load guidelines, but the officers could pick up on something that the producer is not even aware of.

“We need to see these visits, not as a threat, but as an opportunity for them to work with us as producers to help us.”