Prevention of Tuberculosis
Information on how you can help prevent infection of your animals with Tuberculosis (TB).
What can be done to prevent TB?
With TB in the country, it is impossible to guarantee that a herd will remain clear of disease. However, it is possible to reduce your risk of disease by the following means.
- If you must purchase cattle, try to do so directly from a known source and avoid cattle that may have been frequently moved. Take particular care about the origin of breeding cattle, as these animals may be the core of your herd for some time. If possible, isolate after purchase and ask your veterinary surgeon to carry out a tuberculin test on the animal(s). (Your veterinary surgeon will need to obtain permission from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) to perform this test; and you will be responsible for paying his fee).
- Bought-in beef store cattle for finishing should be kept separately from your breeding stock.
- Minimise contact with badgers, fence off badger setts to prevent access by cattle. Avoid grazing fields which contain badger setts, if possible. Raise troughs and drinkers to prevent badgers getting access; prevent badger access to farm buildings, feed and feedstores (including silage pits).
- Try to maintain good boundaries that prevent contact between neighbouring cattle, or don’t graze cattle in adjacent fields.
- Avoid sharing equipment or vehicles with other farmers.
- Do not use slurry or manure from other herds on your land.
