From February 9 the frequency of on-farm testing will change for some farmers based on different levels of risk, which will see testing frequency increasing in higher risk areas and decreasing in those that have lower possum-related risk.
The level of risk will be determined by criteria including an area’s herd infection history, its proximity to possum infection risk and sources of livestock movements into herds.
That information is based on TB surveillance undertaken through on-farm testing, carcase inspection and at meat processing plants.
Ospri general manager for disease management Simon Andrew says it uses the information to determine what animals should be tested, where and when.
“It also enables us to track the movement of animals with different risk levels,” he said, adding that the new approach makes more efficient use of the wider industry’s investment of farmer levies in the TB programme.
Andrew says the new approach, which has been piloted on deer herds since 2018, is a natural progression as the TB eradication programme has reduced the number of infected herds, so a broad testing programme is no longer the most efficient method of detecting TB infection.
“It makes more sense to focus resources in the area where the risk is higher,” he said.
“Improved animal traceability, through farmers engaging more with Nait, means we can better track animals with a higher disease risk, and test less often in low risk areas.”
The changes to the testing frequency will be rolled out in areas of lowest risk – herds currently tested every three years in vector-free areas.
For beef and dairy farmers in low-risk surveillance areas, the changes will mean less frequent testing for herds.
TB testers will contact those farmers before their next TB test. Additional on-farm testing may be required if animals entering their herd originated from a C1 status herd.
Deer herds in lower risk areas, currently tested every three years, will no longer be tested on-farm but will be monitored through meat processing plant inspection.
Andrew says less testing does not mean a greater risk of TB.
He says risk is managed in a number of ways, including possum control in risk areas, tracking and testing stock moving from higher risk to lower risk herds, and identifying any infections early to limit the spread.
The changes are not expected to have any immediate effects on farmers or daily activities at the farm gate.
