Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
From March 1, at least 3190 herds on 937,100ha are subject to less movement control and fewer cattle and deer bovine tuberculosis (TB) tests, it reports.
Herds in parts of North Canterbury, Otago and Southland will no longer require pre-movement TB testing, but will need testing annually.
Dunsdale dairy farmer Kelvin Brock is moving out of the Hokonui movement control area (MCA). He says the progress made by OSPRI TBfree movement restrictions and possum killing has made this possible.
Brock has farmed the property for 28 years and now runs 620 cows on 250ha.
"Not being in a movement control area and not having to pre-movement test stock makes it easier. We can now shift stock off the farm without getting the TB tester out which saves us a lot of time."
TB has been eradicated from about 830,000ha since 2011, OSPRI says.
Dairy farmers have paid much towards TBfree via the DairyNZ and slaughter levy.
"We welcome the reduction of high risk areas and the less frequent testing that goes with it," says Rick Pridmore, DairyNZ's strategy and investment leader. "But farmers still need to be vigilant, especially when buying stock from other areas. Making sure you know the TB testing history when you buy animals is a good way to assess the risk incoming stock present to your herd."
Go online to find out if your farm is subject to less control: see www.tbfree.co.nz/dcamap and enter your address.
Gaining ground
• 1538 herds in North Canterbury have reduced TB testing requirements
• 370 herds in North Canterbury no longer have to pre-movement TB test
• 461,000ha in total TB testing reductions
• 62,000 fewer TB tests in North Canterbury-Marlborough
• 19,600 fewer TB tests in the Southern South Island.
