What is the primary method of disease prevention in livestock?

Vaccination is the primary method of disease prevention in livestock because it helps to stimulate the animals' immune systems to recognize and fight off specific pathogens, thereby reducing the incidence of infectious diseases. Vaccines prepare the immune system to respond quickly and effectively if exposed to a disease in the future, making them a critical tool in maintaining animal health and preventing outbreaks that could impact both the livestock and the food supply.

While a healthy diet and regular exercise contribute to overall animal health and can help bolster the immune system, they do not specifically target infectious diseases like vaccines do. Isolation from other animals can also be an important practice, especially during outbreaks, as it minimizes the risk of disease transmission. However, vaccination offers a proactive and preventative approach to ensuring that livestock remain healthy and can significantly reduce the prevalence of diseases within herds.