TB changes: testing requirements and the types of cattle you can buy

The Department of Agriculture has attempted to dispel confusion created by the introduction of new TB testing requirements on 13 April, by issuing explanatory notes on the rule changes.

There will no changes to testing requirement for the “majority of herds who are currently not restricted” with TB, but there are “changes on how cattle move through livestock marts”, the Department said.

Crucial to understanding the new rules is determining the testing requirements that apply to your herd, which of three herd type groups your herd has been assigned to and which of three herd types an animal you are selling can enter.

Farmers can check which group their herd falls under by checking the Animal Identification and Movement Services (AIMS) online portal and marts are required to check with AIMS that your herd is an eligible destination for animals you buy at the mart.

Testing requirements

All dairy cows purchased must be within 30 days of a TB test, as must all heifers returning from a contract-rearer.

Heifer calves heading to a contract-rearer must be within 30 days of a TB test if cattle from more than one herd is on the contract rearers farm.

All male cattle purchased over 42 days and less than three years of age and all non-calved female cattle purchased over 42 days must be within 12 months of a herd test.

All male cattle over 36 months of age must be tested in the last six months and the seller’s herd must be tested in the last six months, or alternatively the animal must be within a 30-day test.

All suckler cows purchased must have been tested within the last six months and the seller’s herd must be within six months of its last test, or alternatively the animal must be within a 30-day test.

All non-calved replacement heifers and all male cattle less than 36 months of age must be within 12 months of a herd test.

All male cattle over 36 months of age must be tested in the last six months and the seller herd must be tested in the last six months, or alternatively the animal must be within a 30-day test.

All male cattle between 42 days and three years of age must be within 12 months of a herd test.

All non-calved heifers over 42 days of age must be within 12 months of a herd test.

Suckler cows must be tested in the last six months and the seller herd must be tested in the last six months, or alternatively the animal must be within a 30-day test. Dairy cows must be tested in the last six months and the seller’s herd must have been tested in the last six months, or alternatively the animal must be within a 30-day test.

All male cattle over 36 months of age must be tested in the last six months and the seller’s herd must be tested in the last six months, or alternatively the animal must be within a 30-day test.

CFUs can buy any type of cattle that are within 12 months of a herd test.

What are the three animal groups?

Heifers or males under 36 months that are within 12 months of their last test.

Cows or males over 36 months if they have a 30-day pre-movement test.

Suckler cows or males over 36 months if the animal and the herd the animal is in were tested in the last six months.

Dairy cows where the animal and the herd the animal is in were tested in the last six months.

Cows that were part of an exposed cohort in herds greater than 80 cows that were blood tested.

Any in-test animal, including in-test dairy cows not included in groups one or two above.

Group one herds can only buy group one animals. This group includes breeding herds and herds with a milk supply contract in place.

Group two herds can buy both group one animals and group two animals. They are non-milk-supplying, non-breeding herds.

If you purchase group two animals, these can only be subsequently moved directly to slaughter.

Group three herds can buy animals from any group and can only be subsequently sold for direct slaughter.