In recent days farmers across the country have received a letter from the Department of Agriculture detailing the TB risk profile for their herd.
The report indicates how long a herd has been TB free and the total number of breakdowns in the last 10 years.
Almost 20,000 farms have been classed as high-risk TB herds by the Department based on their TB history.
The Irish Farmers Journal spoke with farmers from across the country to get their reaction to the letters.
‘Money would be better spent vaccinating badgers’
Bruce Thompson, dairy farmer, Ballyfinn, Co Laois.
“It’s hard to see what the point of it was. Every farmer is trying their best to keep TB out and I’m not sure what service having this ranking system provides.
“I’m in category C1 and we haven’t had a case here since June 2018, though we did have an inconclusive test in May.
“I think the money would be better spent vaccinating badgers than ranking farmers. Deer are underestimated carriers of TB too – we have 15-20 of them roaming our land regularly.
“Farmers should also be looking at the genetics of their animals and breeding high resistance to TB.
“I don’t think ranking herds is much good because transfer of TB between farms isn’t as big of an issue as the environmental factors.
“Building roads and disturbing the natural movement of badgers and deer is worth looking into. This may also be a contributing factor trapping them all into the one area.”
‘Glad the information is staying private’
Kenneth Reid, suckler farmer, Crecora, Co Limerick
“Farmers already know that if you’re buying cattle from somewhere like Clare you’re at risk of bringing TB in, so I’m not sure how much impact the letters will have.
“I’m glad that the information is staying private, I wouldn’t be in favour of TB status on mart boards, it will give the farmer buying fierce power.
“I think the rule about your herd not being closed if you bring an animal back from the mart is a joke.”
‘As if famers don’t already know this’
Trevor Boland, suckler farmer, Dromard, Co Sligo.
\Philip Doyle
“I cannot think of receiving a report with less value than this one. A complete waste of time, resources, and an attempt to devalue a farmer’s herd by placing it on a national scale from high risk to low risk.
“There is no job as stressful on a farm than the annual TB testing and reading of cattle. Certainly there is no need to add to the stress a farmer may already be feeling by sending out a letter stating the obvious.
“Ask any farmer and they will tell you exactly how many times they have “gone down” with TB in the last 10 years. Many will even tell you the last 20 or 30 years.
“They certainly know if they are currently clear and if they are clear for the last year. Page one of the report professes to provide this information, as if the farmer involved did not already know this.
“I can tell you over the years where I was standing when the vet inspecting the animal gave the dreaded news.
“'There’s a lump here', says the vet, and your heart sinks, a knot in your stomach, brain racing and all plans for the next year gone out the window in a few short seconds.”
Read more
20,000 farms classed as high-risk TB herds
Farms and cattle to be graded for TB
Rising TB figures causing concern
In recent days farmers across the country have received a letter from the Department of Agriculture detailing the TB risk profile for their herd.
The report indicates how long a herd has been TB free and the total number of breakdowns in the last 10 years.
Almost 20,000 farms have been classed as high-risk TB herds by the Department based on their TB history.
The Irish Farmers Journal spoke with farmers from across the country to get their reaction to the letters.
‘Money would be better spent vaccinating badgers’
Bruce Thompson, dairy farmer, Ballyfinn, Co Laois.
“It’s hard to see what the point of it was. Every farmer is trying their best to keep TB out and I’m not sure what service having this ranking system provides.
“I’m in category C1 and we haven’t had a case here since June 2018, though we did have an inconclusive test in May.
“I think the money would be better spent vaccinating badgers than ranking farmers. Deer are underestimated carriers of TB too – we have 15-20 of them roaming our land regularly.
“Farmers should also be looking at the genetics of their animals and breeding high resistance to TB.
“I don’t think ranking herds is much good because transfer of TB between farms isn’t as big of an issue as the environmental factors.
“Building roads and disturbing the natural movement of badgers and deer is worth looking into. This may also be a contributing factor trapping them all into the one area.”
‘Glad the information is staying private’
Kenneth Reid, suckler farmer, Crecora, Co Limerick
“Farmers already know that if you’re buying cattle from somewhere like Clare you’re at risk of bringing TB in, so I’m not sure how much impact the letters will have.
“I’m glad that the information is staying private, I wouldn’t be in favour of TB status on mart boards, it will give the farmer buying fierce power.
“I think the rule about your herd not being closed if you bring an animal back from the mart is a joke.”
‘As if famers don’t already know this’
Trevor Boland, suckler farmer, Dromard, Co Sligo.
\Philip Doyle
“I cannot think of receiving a report with less value than this one. A complete waste of time, resources, and an attempt to devalue a farmer’s herd by placing it on a national scale from high risk to low risk.
“There is no job as stressful on a farm than the annual TB testing and reading of cattle. Certainly there is no need to add to the stress a farmer may already be feeling by sending out a letter stating the obvious.
“Ask any farmer and they will tell you exactly how many times they have “gone down” with TB in the last 10 years. Many will even tell you the last 20 or 30 years.
“They certainly know if they are currently clear and if they are clear for the last year. Page one of the report professes to provide this information, as if the farmer involved did not already know this.
“I can tell you over the years where I was standing when the vet inspecting the animal gave the dreaded news.
“'There’s a lump here', says the vet, and your heart sinks, a knot in your stomach, brain racing and all plans for the next year gone out the window in a few short seconds.”
Read more
20,000 farms classed as high-risk TB herds
Farms and cattle to be graded for TB
Rising TB figures causing concern
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