Thursday, 22 September 2022 13:25

Extra measures introduced to target M. bovis pocket of infection

Written by  Staff Reporters
The Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme is introducing new measures to target the pocket of confirmed pocket of infection. The Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme is introducing new measures to target the pocket of confirmed pocket of infection.

The Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) eradication programme will target the sole pocket of confirmed infection with depopulation starting on a Mid-Canterbury feedlot and strict new biosecurity measures for the surrounding area.

Programme director Simon Andrew says the nationwide testing programme proves the M. bovis infection is isolated to a small area in Mid-Canterbury, where there are infected properties including the feedlot.

“We are working hard to investigate the exact transmission route, but at present that remains unclear,” Andrew says.

“Without a precise understanding of why this is happening, we need to take a different approach to protect cattle and farmers in the area.”

He says the eradication programme acknowledges the role local farmers play in helping to continue to better understand the situation.

Andrew says that to bolster this understanding, the programme will bring in extra technical advice.

“Although we are at the tail-end of this outbreak, it is possible we may find other infected properties in other parts of the country in the future and so we must remain vigilant and maintain our nationwide surveillance programme.

“We’ve come a long way from the height of the programme when there was a peak of 40 confirmed properties across the country to the small number of farms now and farmers have made huge sacrifices. We are committed to hunting down the last remaining infection. There’s been 275 confirmed properties to date out of 30,000-plus farms in New Zealand.”

Andrew says the M. bovis Programme, with DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) will:

  • Work with the feedlot’s owners, ANZCO, to start progressive depopulation of the property from October 13
  • To coincide with that depopulation, a Controlled Area Notice (CAN) will be introduced for the Wakanui area, affecting 14 cattle farms (three of these properties are owned by ANZCO)
  • As part of the CAN, all properties in the high-risk area will be depopulated by mid-January 2023
  • A round of testing and census will be carried out for farms in the low-risk area of the CAN.

“The CAN steps up the already tight controls in the area as we think it’s important to take all possible steps to ensure this pocket of infection is contained and the progressive depopulation of the feedlot successful,” says Andrew.

He says that, as part of the CAN, after the depopulation of the high-risk area there will be a standdown period of two to three months to allow the properties to be cleaned and disinfected.

Programme partners, DairyNZ and B+LNZ, will work closely with impacted farmers in the area and compensation will be provided where required.

“We know the CAN will be extremely challenging and disruptive for a small number of farmers in the area and we will support them through this process,” says Andrew.

“Since the start of the programme, M. bovis has predominantly spread by animal movements and we ask farmers to continue keeping their NAIT records up-to-date to protect themselves and others.

“It’s easy to get complacent, especially with low numbers across the country, but now is the time where we must be more cautious than ever and that’s why we are taking these prudent steps.”

Andrew says the programme’s bulk milk test programme is going well and August 2022 is on track to be the first August since 2018 with no confirmed infection via bulk tank milk surveillance.

"While this is positive, it doesn't mean the job is done. It is likely that we’ll find more confirmed infection before we declare eradication successful. When we find any infection, we will deal with it.”

More like this

DairyNZ board sets new levy rate

DairyNZ has set a new levy rate of 4.5c/kgMS from 1 June 2025 and aims to keep the levy at no more than this rate for a minimum of three years.

Featured

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.

Editorial: Making wool great again

OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.

National

Machinery & Products

Farmer-led group buys Novag

While the name and technology remain unchanged and new machines will continue to carry the Novag name, all the assets,…

Buhler name to go

Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter