In the past Barega, in the Midlands, has suffered many outbreaks of biosecurity diseases, but has prompted Shelley Saunders and her partner Chris to bolster their on-farm security.

"In the early days we purchased stock not knowing they had an underlying disease problem," Ms Saunders said.

"This was in the days before sheep health statements."

As producers of high quality fleece, Ms Saunders was acutely aware of the importance of protecting the health and productivity of her flock, as well as the perception of Australian products in international markets.

"Each time we had an incident, it increased our awareness of the importance of addressing biosecurity risks before they happen," Ms Saunders said.

The first incident, of lice that came in on sheep they purchased, took five months before the farmers even knew they had lice.

With each disease outbreak, there were significant costs, prompting a rethink of their farm biosecurity system.

"The last time that we brought in stock was about eight years ago when we inadvertently brought in Johne's disease," Ms Saunders said.

"We have also had two major outbreaks of footrot. The first time we brought it in was certainly a grim lesson. We eradicated it at the time but it was a very hard path to go down."

Ms Saunders said prevention was much better than treatment and wanted to share her story to help educate other producers about how easily outbreaks could happen.

A big part of Ms Saunders' biosecurity strategy has been to get on top of stray stock, which carry a major risk of introducing lice and footrot.

"As soon as we come across any stray stock we pounce on them and give them a full inspection for footrot and lice. Strays are isolated in the shed and the owners are rung to come and pick them up," she said.

"It is interesting that you still hear things like 'just put them over the fence', and it would horrify me if that happened to us because we might pick something up and never know where it came from."

She also now runs a closed, self-replacing flock to prevent pests and diseases being brought in from the outside, but if replacement stock do need to be purchased she now has clear standards to abide by.

"I wouldn't buy anything without a sheep health statement now. If vendors aren't interested in sharing the history of the animal, I am not interested in purchasing them," she said.

Ms Saunders praised the efforts of the Livestock Biosecurity Network in helping her workshop and create a farm biosecurity plan.

LBN's biosecurity officer in Tasmania Jess Coad said that there were a number of easy steps producers could take to minimise the risk of introducing pests and diseases when purchasing livestock.

"The number one thing is knowing the health status of the livestock, and this involves looking at a sheep or a cattle health statement and inspecting the livestock before making the purchase decision," Dr Coad said.

"Once the animals arrive on the property, a quarantine period for the new livestock is recommended.

"The induction process for new sheep arriving on the property should include a quarantine drench; a combination of no less than four unrelated drench actives, with one of these being monepantel (Zolvix) or Derquantel (Startect). Then check the drench has worked with a worm egg count 10-14 days after.

"Keep the sheep in quarantine in yards for small mobs or a secure paddock for larger mobs, for at least three days to allow worm eggs and weed seeds to pass out of the gut. Be sure to provide adequate feed and water and provide any other vaccinations that may be necessary."