Border Leicester stud earns national biosecurity commendation

The Inverbrackie Border Leicester stud has earned a national commendation for its commitment to on-farm biosecurity.

The Finniss farm on the Fleurieu Peninsula, managed by Ellen Arney with parents Lynton and Clare, was among 19 organisations and individuals to receive awards or commendations for "significant commitment to our nation's biosecurity system" at the Australian Biosecurity Awards.

The commendation builds on their title of Livestock SA's 2023 Biosecurity Farmer of the Year.

Ellen said the recognition could be attributed to practices that had become second nature to them.

"It's practices that we implement every day so it doesn't seem like a major effort for us, but it is nice though to get the recognition that what we're doing is on the right track and providing the best biosecurity risk management for our clients," she said.

Fencing, visitor awareness, transport and stock movement are among the facets of farming the Arneys have honed in on to lessen any potential biosecurity threats.

"With our fencing, everything is either double-fenced or is a high strand fence," Ellen said.

"That's the first point of call to stop sheep straying or to get stray sheep in.

"We've got foot mats with disinfectant placed out at our sale for people to walk over and we also ask people to wear clean shoes on property."

Any visitors or visitor groups to the property are escorted around in the Arneys' own vehicles to minimise the possibility of anything being brought in on vehicle tires.

"We reduce the risks as much as possible where we can," Ellen said.

"Any rams bought at the sale we will deliver ourselves so they're not going on and off different transport, and people know when they arrive on property they are straight from our property."

The Arneys also have a closed flock, breeding their own rams, with the last purchase of outside stock about five years ago from an accredited and trusted source.

They sell about 300 stud rams a year at their on-property sale, with buyers flocking from NSW, Vic and SA.

Livestock SA chief executive officer Travis Tobin said Inverbrackie's national commendation was just rewards after the state recognition in 2023.

"Inverbrackie's approach to biosecurity includes stringent disease-prevention measures, robust management practices, and active engagement with producer networks to raise awareness of biosecurity's importance," he said.

"The Arney family's commitment to biosecurity not only safeguards their own operations but also serves as an inspiring benchmark for the livestock industry, contributing significantly to the sustainability and resilience of Australia's agricultural sector."

Another SA organisation earned a tip of the hat at the Awards, with the Alinytjara Wilurara Landscape Board also receiving a commendation.

It was recognised for "exceptional contribution to managing biosecurity threats, especially invasive buffel grass, in and beyond the Alinytjara Wilurara region of South Australia".