Farm data
What can we find out about the cases ?
Accurate collection and recording of data is a critical step in an outbreak investigation . It can be the most challenging , yet rewarding , part of the process .
How farmers collect and record data varies considerably . A Murray cod farm stocking a large dam that stores water for crops may record very limited data . It may be difficult for the farmer to estimate the number of mortalities in a pond where there are high rates of cannibalism when fish die .
Large , capital – intensive corporate farms such as those in the Tasmanian salmon industry , or abalone enterprises with farms across several states will have large volumes of data measuring a range of variables including mortality rates and growth rates .
Data will be available from farm records , interviews , farm observations and assessment of stock and their environment on your farm visit . Additional data will come from any laboratory investigation .
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SOME TIPS ON COLLECTION OF DATA
• Collect information on cases and non‐cases .
• Wherever possible access objective measures of data rather than rely on farmer interpretation e . g . water quality data , spreadsheets of recorded mortalities .
• Record the date of the first case with compatible clinical signs .
• Use consistent identification across farm records and laboratory submission forms .
• Avoid manually transcribing data to reduce errors .
• Be forensic and thorough but with an open mind – it is up to you to objectively collect , synthesise and assess all the data .
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Photo . Abalone ( Photo courtesy of Nick Savva , AAGA )
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