The new TB measures will place a huge amount of work on farmers where breakdowns occur. Testing at six-month intervals for three years won’t be easy for larger herds.

Online selling of cull cows from dairy herds will become more important.

We have already seen the rollout of TB restricted sales for younger cattle via online trading systems at marts and now will likely see more of this type of trading for cull cows giving farmers an option other than the factory for cull cow sales.

ADVERTISEMENT

While breeding for TB resistance appears simple, it may not be that easy with some of the top bulls on ICBF active lists having poor genetic resistance so farmers wishing to breed higher genetic resistance to TB into their herd may have to forfeit genetic gain on other areas.

Suckler cows and males over 36 months can continue to be sold and move in the six months following a clear herd test.

Outside of this they will need a 30-day pre-movement test but cull cows for further feeding or fattening (moving into non-breeding herds) will not require a 30-day pre-movement test and will be restricted to the herd into which they are sold.

There is also no mention of increased compensation for TB reactors.

Maximum values will have to be looked at in keeping with the current cattle trade.