Biosecurity Calculator

Introduction

The Biosecurity Calculator reflects content found in the Producer Guide to the National Voluntary Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard for the Grains and Oilseeds Industry.  It is a series of 21 questions in 6 categories and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.  Please choose the answer that best reflects your farm. You must complete all questions before moving to the next section but you can return to a previous section at any time.

After completing all the questions, you will receive information about the level of biosecurity risks on your farm as well as information on how to address any risks. Your answers and self assessment worksheet can be downloaded to help you prepare a Biosecurity Plan for your farm. 

1. Crop Inputs

Purchase, delivery and use of crop inputs (seed, fertilizer, manure) raises the potential for introducing pests. Seed, soil adhering to the seed and debris on delivery vehicles present a potentially significant biosecurity risk. Water can also transmit pests. Surface water run-off creates the risk of introducing pests to farms.

2. Equipment Movement

Soil movement activities may pose a significant risk of moving pests to the farm (via soil and plant debris). Any piece of agricultural equipment, visitors and salespersons on the farm bring the risk of soil or plant-material movement that can effectively be the source of a new infestation. Soil-borne pests are of particular concern.

3. Crop Rotation

Increased susceptibility of crops to losses because of pests and the emergence of more aggressive or resistant strains of pests (e.g. weed resistance) can be reduced by crop rotation, variety selection, field management, and crop-protection product selection.

4. Growing Season

Movement of soil or plant material from one area of the farm to another presents the biosecurity risk of exposing the entire farm to a pest that may otherwise have been isolated to a small area. An important part of minimizing the spread of pests is early detection and clear identification of the problem.

5. Storage and Transportation

Minimize the establishment and spread of pests by ensuring inspection and appropriate sanitation of bins, transport equipment and or field equipment leaving the farm.

6. Management

Everyone on the farm (family, employees, visitors) needs to understand potential introducers of risks, and the risk mitigation tools that are available to minimize the potential for biosecurity risk introduction and spread.