An additional property is infected with Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis), bringing the total number of farms with the disease in Mid Canterbury to four.
The property was inside the Wakanui area where strict biosecurity measures, including a controlled area notice (CAN), were announced last week to eliminate a pocket of infection in the area.
“Today we can confirm that a property in the red area of the CAN is infected,” M. bovis programme director Simon Andrew said.
“We are also undertaking testing on another property in the area, which is likely to be confirmed infected in the coming weeks.”
The CAN, which comes into force on October 13, was a precautionary measure to restrict the movement of cattle in an effort to stop M. bovis circulating in the area.
It coincided with the planned depopulation of a nearby feedlot, which was an important next step toward eradication.
“It’s crucial we protect the investment made to date,’’ Andrew said.
“We have four confirmed properties in Mid Canterbury at present, the only area in the country with infection.
This compares to about 40 nationwide at the height of M. bovis.’’
The background surveillance that has been under way for some time now, with the national bulk tank milk, and beef and drystock cattle surveillance programmes, will continue for the foreseeable future. Risk movements will also continue to be followed up.
That means farmers can expect to continue to see M. bovis eradication programme staff on farms and some farmers will be called to confirm whether they have cattle on their property for some time.
“At this stage in the programme, after everyone’s hard work and the 272 farmers who have had to cull their cattle, we are intensifying our efforts to find any possible infection,” Andrew said.

• By Pat Deavoll