Rachael steps up to assist producers with biosecurity planning

Relocating from Cloncurry to Gympie, Ms O’Brien has taken a promotional role as a biosecurity extension manager with Livestock Biosecurity Network (LBN).

The state based position will assist producers across Queensland with biosecurity planning.

Ms O’Brien said she had always been keen to get out of the office and talk to producers one-on-one.

“This role gives me the opportunity to do that.

“I will be travelling regularly and putting workshops together for biosecurity planning with three to roll out in the next three to four months.

“Stage two will be a mix of workshops and webinars followed by over the phone contact.”

Ms O’Brien workshops come ahead of the proposed changes to the Northern Territory Government Gazette.

“We had an email sent to us stating there is a change to the Northern Territory Gazette and there will be changes to entry requirements from Queensland into the Northern Territory,” she said.

“So one of these changes as of June 30, 2017 producers will require a J-BAS 7 or higher Johne’s status and to obtain that they need a biosecurity plan in place.

“This is where I will come in to assist producers.”

Having held her previous role with Biosecurity Queensland since 2010, Ms O’Brien has experienced a few emergency responses across Queensland including; Johne’s Disease, Black Spots Disease in prawns, Panama Disease in bananas and Hendra Virus.

She also monitored compliance, monitoring stock through the infested and tick yards, tick outbreaks, lead poisoning, general disease investigation.

“I have loved every moment of working in Cloncurry, it is a great town,” she said.

“My clients through BQ are fantastic and hopefully I will be able to continue working with them through my new role.”

For more information about biosecurity planning visit LBN’s website.