On-farm biosecurity is about staying one step ahead by putting simple, smart measures in place to stop pests, diseases, and weeds from getting a foothold. In South Africa, where our farms feed communities and support vital export markets, strong biosecurity is not just good practice – it’s good business. By taking action on your farm, you’re not only protecting your own future, but also helping to secure the future of South African agriculture.
Keeping a close eye: crop monitoring and early action
Good biosecurity starts with knowing what’s happening in your fields. Regular crop monitoring is one of the simplest but most powerful tools a producer has. By walking systematically and regularly through your fields, keeping an eye out for pests, diseases, and unusual symptoms, you give yourself the best chance to catch a problem early before it spreads, affects your yields, or harms your business.
Make sure someone – whether it’s you, a worker, or an agronomist – checks your crops regularly, especially in high-risk areas like field edges, public roads, flood-prone zones, and gateways. These are likely entry points for pests and diseases. Also, remember the ‘green bridge’ – weeds and leftover crops between seasons that can host pests – should be removed or treated.
Fall armyworm on maize.
When you monitor, record what you see. Keep clear notes and photos of pest sightings, symptoms, and crop conditions. These records are not only useful for your own management decisions but also help the wider industry maintain market access by proving pests are being looked for and found absent.
If you spot something unusual, especially in a variety that’s meant to be resistant, don’t wait. Quick action can make all the difference. Contact the Grain SA research team or the Diagnostic Clinic at FABI (see contact details below). You can also contact your local extension officer, agronomist, or crop advisor for support. If the issue is unfamiliar or uncertain, reporting it to Grain SA or FABI is especially important to ensure accurate identification and coordinated response. In the meantime, mark the affected area, restrict access, and avoid moving any plant material. Clean hands, clothes, footwear, and equipment after being in contact with the area.
Being alert, taking early action, and reporting strange symptoms are not just about protecting your farm, but about protecting your neighbours, your region, and South Africa’s grain industry as a whole.
Come clean, go clean: Adopt this as a farm policy for all vehicles and equipment.
Keeping it clean: managing people, vehicles and equipment movement on your farm
Stakeholders such as inspectors, field agents, or contractors and machinery such as tractors, planters, and combine harvesters are essential for crop production. However, their movement is a primary pathway for the spread of pests (e.g., insects or nematodes), diseases (e.g., fungal pathogens like Fusarium and Sclerotinia) and weed seeds. This risk is amplified where contractors and shared equipment often service multiple producers across diverse farming regions. A well-defined, practical protocol for cleaning and managing movement is therefore not just recommended, it is a cornerstone of effective on-farm biosecurity.
Tips for effective cleaning
Use high-pressure water for muddy areas; compressed air works best for radiators and dry parts.
Clean from the top down to avoid re-contaminating cleaned surfaces.
Apply a detergent or disinfectant (e.g., Virkon™ S, NutroChem Agricultural Range, Kärcher Disinfectant Solutions) after removing soil and plant debris. Ask your supplier for the best option.
Dismantle parts where possible to reach hidden areas.
Leave covers off to let equipment dry fully and allow easier inspection.
Get a second opinion – fresh eyes may spot missed contamination.
Set expectations at the farm gate
Visitors should check in on arrival and be made aware of any access restrictions. Signage at entry points and production zones reinforces your biosecurity measures. Encourage the use of clean clothes and footwear and provide options like footbaths or disposable boot covers when entering crop or storage areas.
Consider higher-risk visitors
Agri-advisors, inspectors, contractors, and others who visit multiple farms are more likely to carry contamination. Ask them to clean vehicles and equipment before arriving and provide a quick biosecurity briefing when they enter. Sampling must always follow proper hygiene practices to avoid spreading pests between sites.
Limit and log movement
Keep visitor movement to a minimum, particularly around crop or storage areas. Maintain a visitor register with names, dates, and points of contact. This helps trace movements quickly if an incursion occurs. Use designated parking areas to keep production zones protected.
Keep staff in the loop
Everyone working on the farm should be aware of potential biosecurity risks and the appropriate protocol and know how to report anything unusual. If you’re hosting a field day or demo, be especially vigilant and inspect key areas afterwards for signs of new pests.
Key principles for vehicle and equipment biosecurity
Come clean, go clean: Adopt this as a farm policy for all vehicles and equipment, whether farm-owned or external.
Designated cleaning area: Establish a dedicated, well-drained wash-down area, ideally away from cropping fields and water sources, to contain contaminants. This area should ideally allow for the collection of debris and wastewater.
Risk-based approach: The intensity and frequency of cleaning should be proportionate to the risk. Movement between different farms always warrants a full clean-down. Movement within a large farm or a defined region requires careful consideration.
Preventing contamination and disease spread
Managing contamination risks requires attention at every stage of production, from seed selection to storage and livestock practices.
Source-certified seed
Always buy certified, traceable seed from reputable suppliers. Certified seed comes with documentation verifying purity, germination rate, and absence of weed seeds or diseases. Keep records of certification and seed origin to support traceability and market access if issues arise.
Maintain stored seed and grain hygiene
On-farm storage is increasingly common but comes with biosecurity risks. To minimise pest infestations, the following should be done:
Clean silos, grain-handling equipment, and surrounding areas before and after use.
Avoid mixing old carry-over grain with newly harvested grain.
Use aeration fans to cool grain – aim for temperatures under 23 °C in summer and under 15 °C in winter – to slow pest development and reduce moisture.
Regularly monitor stored grain (at least monthly) for live insects and signs of damage. Act quickly if pests are detected.
Fumigate only in well-sealed silos and follow label directions to avoid residue issues that can lead to rejected grain.
Buy clean feed and isolate new stock
Grain, fodder, and livestock can all bring in unwanted pests or weed seeds.
Inspect feed for contaminants and, if possible, obtain a weed and pest status declaration from the seller.
Avoid long-distance feed sources unless necessary. Local feed reduces the risk of introducing new pests.
Isolate new livestock for 10 to 14 days in a designated holding area to contain possible weeds or parasites. Monitor this area for emerging weeds after rainfall.
Keep records of all feed purchases and livestock movements and ensure proper hygiene before and after handling animals.
Figure 1: An example of a farm biosecurity sign
(Source: Adapted from the Australian Biosecurity Manual for Grain Producers)
Spotlight on Goss’s wilt: Bayer workshop highlights preparedness priorities
Goss’s wilt has recently emerged as a biosecurity concern for South African grain producers. This bacterial disease, caused by Clavibacter nebraskensis, affects maize and several grass species and may have potential implications for local production and market access.
In response to the emergence of Goss’s wilt in South Africa, Bayer hosted a workshop on 25 March to equip key stakeholders with the information needed to respond decisively to the disease. Two global experts – Dr Samantha Thomas (Regulatory Scientific Education & Outreach) and Dr Andrea Dolozel (Global Plant Health) from Bayer in the United States – shared key insights on detection, response, and international experiences managing Goss’s wilt.
The workshop reinforced the importance of clear communication and early reporting. Producers are urged to submit plant samples showing unusual symptoms to accredited diagnostic laboratories for accurate testing and confirmation. Timely and accurate diagnosis is vital to protect the industry and maintain South Africa’s plant health status.
Basic vehicle biosecurity kit
A stiff brush and scraper to remove soil, plant matter, and debris from boots and equipment.
Detergent or disinfectant for cleaning and sanitising footwear, tools, and surfaces.
A dustpan and brush to clean out the vehicle cabin, where seeds or soil may collect.
Hand sanitiser or hand wash for personal hygiene after handling plant material or equipment.
A spare pair of rubber boots, boot covers, or clean shoes to avoid cross-contamination between sites.
Strong plastic bags for storing dirty boots, clothing, or other disposable items.
A pair of disposable gloves for handling potentially contaminated items safely.
At least 5 litres of water for rinsing or washing equipment and footwear.
A plastic tray or bucket to be used as a footbath or for cleaning tools and boots on-site.
Contact the Grain SA research team to get in touch with the research community for advice or diagnostic services: Mike Ellis (072 287 7496; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.); Godfrey Kgatle (079 489 5966; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.); Lavinia Kisten (083 273 0709, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.); or Pfano Musetsho (065 887 7946, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Alternatively, please contact the Diagnostic Clinic at FABI (012 420 3939, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
