Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certification Practice Exam

What is crucial to do before integrating a new group of cattle into your herd?

1. Locate healthy cattle to surround the new livestock.

2. Quarantine the new livestock.

3. Ensure all cattle are vaccinated.

4. Review feed quality and sources.

The correct answer is: Quarantine the new livestock.

Quarantining new livestock before integrating them into an existing herd is critical for several reasons. First, it helps prevent the introduction and spread of disease among the established animals. New cattle can potentially carry pathogens that are asymptomatic, meaning they can look healthy but still infect others. By keeping these new additions isolated for a specific period, usually around 30 days, you can monitor them for any signs of illness and address health issues without risking the overall health of your herd. Additionally, during the quarantine period, you can also administer necessary vaccinations and treatments to the new cattle, ensuring that they are healthy and minimizing the risk of introducing any diseases. This proactive measure is essential in maintaining the overall health and well-being of both the new and existing cattle in your operation. While surrounding new livestock with healthy cattle, ensuring vaccinations, and reviewing feed quality are all important practices in animal husbandry, they do not take precedence over the crucial first step of quarantine when integrating new animals into an existing herd.