{"id":855794,"date":"2024-04-07T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-07T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agriland.ie\/?p=855794"},"modified":"2024-04-06T17:48:43","modified_gmt":"2024-04-06T16:48:43","slug":"reducing-the-risk-of-bovine-tb-on-dairy-farms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightsail.agriland.ie\/farming-news\/reducing-the-risk-of-bovine-tb-on-dairy-farms\/","title":{"rendered":"How can farmers reduce the risk of bovine TB on dairy farms?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) poses a huge threat to farm animals and can be a worry of farmers’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Figures from by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) show a rise in the number of reactors in 2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data released by the DAFM<\/a> shows that in the 12-month period from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, 28,868 TB test reactions were detected in cattle, compared to 23,337 in the same 12-month period of 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bovine TB has become a huge frustration for farmers with the eradiation programme now running much longer than had been planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although it may seem like you are fighting an upwards battle, there are measures that should be adopted on farms to prevent the spread and a breakdown in your herd. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genetics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In herds where TB has been an issue in the past, selective culling of older animals should be considered – particularly in cases where they may have preciously come into contact with an infected animal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This may help to reduce the likelihood of you having a reactor in future tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within the economic breeding index (EBI), you can select sires with higher resistance to bovine TB – which for herds that are continually impacted by breakdowns, could be something to consider when selecting sires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although it will not completely eliminate the risk, it could help to prevent breakdowns from occurring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

E.g., one of the most well-known sires in recent years Kilfeacle<\/strong> Pivotal<\/strong><\/a>, has a poor performance when it comes to bovine TB resistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchasing stock <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, you should avoid the purchasing of animals into your herd, as they have the potential to introduce disease into your herd. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are purchasing in stock you should do extensive research into the herd you are purchasing the stock from. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The current TB status of the herd and other herds in the area should be looked at, along with the herds TB history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some dairy farms now use contracting rearing of heifers as a way to reduce the workload on farms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bovine TB<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Preventing your livestock from coming into direct or indirect contact with wildlife is a key way to control outbreaks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have badger sets on your farm, you should notify DAFM and prevent livestock from accessing them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Troughs should be at least 1m off the ground and all concentrates storage should be wildlife proof. This is a key measure in pending potential TB breakdowns from occurring in herds. <\/p>\n\n\n