County fairs, livestock competitions and rodeos let people see, experience and celebrate agriculture on a different level. Since many agricultural events take place during the summer, now is the perfect time for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to remind livestock owners to protect their animals and to keep them healthy, especially livestock participating in shows and competitions.
Before the show, monitor an animal’s health. If the animal is sick, do not attend the show. Clean and disinfect show equipment and trailer before going to the show. During the show, monitor animals for heat stress and any signs of illness, do not share equipment or tools with other exhibitors and when watering animals using a community hose, do not allow the animal to drink directly from the hose or dip the community hose in your bucket.
After the show, isolate show animals from other animals at the farm and watch for signs of illness. Do not allow nose-to-nose contact between these sets of animals. Consult a veterinarian if your animal becomes ill. Don’t share supplies like buckets, feed pans, etc. between isolated animals and other animals. All equipment should be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and allowed to dry after use in the isolation area. Clean and disinfect equipment, clothing, shoes, show box and contents and vehicles/trailers that were used at the show.
Individuals or practitioners who suspect or have concerns about livestock diseases should contact NDA at 402-471-2351.
