Almost 20,000 farms have been classed as high-risk TB herds by the Department of Agriculture based on their TB history.
In the coming days farmers will be sent a personalised TB risk profile that details which category they fall into. It will indicate how long a herd has been TB free and the total number of breakdowns in the last 10 years.
At present, 2,000 herds are locked down while 17,500 have had a breakdown in the last three years
Herds that are currently locked down or those TB free for less than three years are considered higher risk. At present, 2,000 herds are locked down while 17,500 have had a breakdown in the last three years.
Medium risk
Herds clear for four to six years, of which there are currently 11,800, are considered medium risk, while those clear for seven years or more are deemed lower risk.
The majority of herds (78,000) will be classed lower risk, with over 60% clear of TB for 10 years or more.
Farmers will not be obliged to take any action on foot of the report but the Department recommends they consider purchasing from lower-risk herds. The report will tell farmers what risk category stock purchased in the last three years came from.
A sample of the letter that will be sent to farmers in the coming days by the Department of Agriculture \ Department of Agriculture
In 2019, 64% of cattle purchased were from lower-risk herds, while a quarter came from higher-risk herds.
A farm’s risk category will not be shared with anyone bar the farmer. However, the Department said farmers could share this information if they wished.
TB history
For farmers who want to know the TB history of herds they are buying from, the Department said they can ask sellers directly. Sellers will not be obliged to disclose this information.
The report will also contain the farm’s full TB history over the last 10 years, a list of where any reactors came from, any animals that tested clear after testing inconclusive, and animals that were present during a previous breakdown.
Farmers rightly expect a lot more than letters outlining their herd risk
IFA animal health chair Pat Farrell has branded the Department’s response to rising TB levels as “ridiculous and weak”.
“Farmers rightly expect a lot more than letters outlining their herd risk and effectively a devaluation of their animals,” Farrell said.
Read more
Farms and cattle to be graded for TB
Rising TB figures causing concern
Almost 20,000 farms have been classed as high-risk TB herds by the Department of Agriculture based on their TB history.
In the coming days farmers will be sent a personalised TB risk profile that details which category they fall into. It will indicate how long a herd has been TB free and the total number of breakdowns in the last 10 years.
At present, 2,000 herds are locked down while 17,500 have had a breakdown in the last three years
Herds that are currently locked down or those TB free for less than three years are considered higher risk. At present, 2,000 herds are locked down while 17,500 have had a breakdown in the last three years.
Medium risk
Herds clear for four to six years, of which there are currently 11,800, are considered medium risk, while those clear for seven years or more are deemed lower risk.
The majority of herds (78,000) will be classed lower risk, with over 60% clear of TB for 10 years or more.
Farmers will not be obliged to take any action on foot of the report but the Department recommends they consider purchasing from lower-risk herds. The report will tell farmers what risk category stock purchased in the last three years came from.
A sample of the letter that will be sent to farmers in the coming days by the Department of Agriculture \ Department of Agriculture
In 2019, 64% of cattle purchased were from lower-risk herds, while a quarter came from higher-risk herds.
A farm’s risk category will not be shared with anyone bar the farmer. However, the Department said farmers could share this information if they wished.
TB history
For farmers who want to know the TB history of herds they are buying from, the Department said they can ask sellers directly. Sellers will not be obliged to disclose this information.
The report will also contain the farm’s full TB history over the last 10 years, a list of where any reactors came from, any animals that tested clear after testing inconclusive, and animals that were present during a previous breakdown.
Farmers rightly expect a lot more than letters outlining their herd risk
IFA animal health chair Pat Farrell has branded the Department’s response to rising TB levels as “ridiculous and weak”.
“Farmers rightly expect a lot more than letters outlining their herd risk and effectively a devaluation of their animals,” Farrell said.
Read more
Farms and cattle to be graded for TB
Rising TB figures causing concern
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