Why Biosecurity Should Be Seen as an Investment, Not an Expense

As livestock and poultry producers, you're likely familiar with the ongoing challenge of managing costs while striving to increase production and improve the quality of your animals. While there are many ways to enhance your operation—whether through new equipment, technology, or feed formulations—there's one often overlooked investment that can have a significant impact on your bottom line: biosecurity.

This point was emphasized at last week’s Egg Farmers of Ontario Annual General Meeting at which speaker after speaker referred to the importance of biosecurity. 

During an excellent presentation on the History of Egg Farming, Former EFO Director Craig Hunter urged the producers present to think of biosecurity as an investment and not as a cost, which was the impetus of this article.

Biosecurity: An Investment in Your Future

When you think of biosecurity, it’s easy to view it as an expense, one of those necessary but sometimes “hidden” costs of running a successful operation. However, viewing biosecurity as an investment can shift your mindset and highlight its true value in protecting your farm’s long-term success. A properly funded biosecurity program doesn’t just reduce the risk of disease outbreaks; it can actually improve your production levels and bottom line.

Preventing Losses and Boosting Productivity

Consider this: an effective biosecurity program reduces the risk of costly diseases, such as avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, or various respiratory infections in livestock. When diseases strike, the financial impact can be devastating—not only due to the direct costs of treatment and veterinary care but also from the secondary losses in production. Sick animals are less productive, whether they’re producing milk, eggs, or weight gain for meat production. In the worst cases, entire herds or flocks may need to be culled, causing a massive financial setback.

By investing in biosecurity measures like secure fencing, controlled access points, sanitation stations, and, importantly, proper disinfectants, you’re actively protecting your herd or flock from disease outbreaks. This upfront investment helps prevent the larger, more unpredictable expenses associated with an outbreak, keeping production steady and costs low.

Biosecurity vs. Other Operational Investments

You might wonder how biosecurity investments compare to other common investments in farm operations, like upgrading equipment, improving feed formulas, or adopting new technology. These investments are often made to improve production efficiency and increase yields, and biosecurity should be viewed in the same light.

Take new equipment as an example. Investing in high-efficiency equipment or technology, like automated feeding systems or advanced environmental controls, can directly improve production efficiency. Similarly, investing in a more nutritious or balanced feed formula can result in better growth rates, improved egg production, or higher milk yields. These are tangible improvements that directly affect your revenue and profitability.

Biosecurity operates in a similar way. When you invest in biosecurity—whether through infrastructure, training, or disinfectants—you’re essentially buying protection that ensures your animals are kept healthy and productive. Just as new equipment improves efficiency, biosecurity enhances the potential for your livestock and poultry to thrive, minimizing disruptions and boosting output.

Biosecurity vs. Regular Expenses

Unlike essential but passive expenses like electricity, fuel, or property taxes, biosecurity isn’t a fixed cost that doesn’t improve your production. While expenses such as utilities and taxes are necessary for keeping your operation running, they don’t add value or increase revenue. Biosecurity, on the other hand, directly influences the health of your herd or flock, which, in turn, affects your production and bottom line.

The comparison is simple: paying for electricity keeps the lights on, but investing in biosecurity ensures that your animals stay healthy and continue to produce. It’s an investment in the future of your business, not just a necessary expense to keep operations running.

The Most Valuable Biosecurity Investment: Your Choice of Disinfectant

When it comes to biosecurity, one of the most critical investments you can make is choosing the right disinfectant. A disinfectant is your frontline defense against pathogens that can jeopardize the health of your animals. Not all disinfectants are created equal—some may be less effective or more difficult to use. One disinfectant that stands out as a reliable, cost-effective investment is Prevail™.

Prevail™ is a powerful disinfectant known for its effectiveness in eliminating a broad range of pathogens that can affect livestock and poultry. It provides long-lasting protection and is easy to use, which makes it an ideal choice for producers who want to ensure their biosecurity program is both efficient and effective. With Prevail™, you're not only making a smart investment in disease prevention but also optimizing your farm’s productivity and health standards.

In the world of livestock and poultry production, it’s easy to fall into the trap of viewing biosecurity as just another cost. However, when approached as an investment, biosecurity has the potential to improve your bottom line by protecting the health of your animals and reducing the risks associated with disease outbreaks. Like investing in new equipment or better feed, biosecurity is a smart way to boost production and quality, ensuring that your business thrives in the long run.

So, when you’re considering where to allocate resources for the future of your operation, remember that a well-funded biosecurity program—especially one that includes a reliable disinfectant like Prevail™—is a crucial investment that pays dividends in the form of healthier animals, more consistent production, and higher revenues. Don't let biosecurity be an afterthought. Treat it as an investment, and you’ll see the returns in your farm's success.