Be a welcome guest: small habits, big impact

Farms invite the public into working environments with animals, machinery, and crops. Biosecurity means stopping diseases and pests moving between places. The basics are easy, and they keep farms open for everyone.

Before you go

• Check the farm’s guidance: some areas may be off-limits during lambing or harvest.
• Leave pets at home unless the farm explicitly allows dogs.
• Pack hand wipes and a small bottle of soap/gel; most farms have sinks, but queues happen.
• Dress for fields: sturdy shoes or wellies, long trousers for ticks/brambles.

On arrival: read the signs

Gates, ropes, cones, and colour-coded maps aren’t decoration—they mark biosecure boundaries. Follow them. If a footbath or brush is set out, it’s there for a reason.

• Use footbaths properly: scrape mud first, then submerge soles for the time indicated.
• Don’t climb fences or enter pens without staff.
• Keep to paths; young crops can be damaged by a few footsteps.

Around animals: hygiene and space

• Handwashing beats gel after touching animals or rails; soap and running water remove more germs.
• No food in animal areas; eat in designated spots.
• Buggies & boots: muddy wheels track disease—use cleaning stations if provided.
• Respect distance: pregnant ewes, young calves, and sows with piglets need calm and space.

Crop fields: hidden risks

Visitors can inadvertently spread soil-borne diseases or invasive pests on footwear and clothing. That’s why farms may close fields after heavy rain or during certain outbreaks. If closed, don’t enter—even for a “quick photo”.

After the visit

• Boots off before the car; bag them until you can wash with hot soapy water.
• Launder clothes that contacted animals or muddy areas.
• Check for ticks if you were in long grass or wood edges.

For families

Set clear rules: look, don’t climb; wash hands before snacks; keep fingers away from faces until after washing. Make the handwashing stop part of the day—most farms now have cheerful sinks at exits.

Accessibility and comfort

If you or someone in your group uses mobility aids or wheels, ask about hard-standing routes and accessible toilets before you travel. Many farms now provide step-free viewing of animal pens and packing sheds.

Why it matters

A few visitors skipping a footbath can force a farm to close animal areas for weeks. Good biosecurity protects animal welfare, farmer livelihoods, and future visits—including yours next season.

What to ask a farmer

• “Which areas are open today, and where should we avoid?”
• “Do you have a cleaning point for buggies or wheels?”
• “Any seasonal risks we should know about before we head out?”