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Frustration at new bovis 'blip'

Frustration at new bovis 'blip'


Mid Canterbury farmers are disappointed and frustrated by a new Mycoplasma bovis infection on a dairy farm north of Ashburton.
However, they regard it as a “blip” and are pleased the infection was found quickly and likely has a traceable source of infection.
In February, New Zealand was down to one infected property, which was cleared just two weeks ago.
But hopes that the country was finally rid of the cattle disease were dashed when the new infection was found through routine testing last week.
Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers president David Acland said the new infection was disappointing and frustrating, but part of the process of eradication.
“There’s always going to be a blip.
"We’re on top of it early and it is important that we understand how it occurred.
"Hopefully, we don’t get more.”
He urged farmers to take biosecurity seriously to ensure “the investment made by the Government and farmers was not wasted.”
Acland said the new infection was not a cause for concern. However, he would be worried if investigations could not show how the infection occurred.
Director of the Ministry for Primary Industries eradication programme Simon Andrew said the infected Mid Canterbury dairy farm was near Ashburton.
“It is not in the Wakanui area and has not been infected previously.”
The infection was confirmed last week through MPI’s network surveillance, he said.
“The property was tested as it neighbours another dairy farm that was cleared of infection earlier this year. That farm had strong links to the Wakanui cluster through animal movements.”
It was too early to confirm what strain type the infection was. However, the neighbouring farm had links to the Wakanui cluster that was infected with the original strain of M. bovis, Andrews said.
MPI was investigating the source of the infection and working with the farmer to “depopulate the property” with minimal disruption.
Andrews’ advice to farmers in Mid Canterbury and across New Zealand was to be vigilant with biosecurity practices.
“Especially in the lead-up to Moving Day, it’s important that all animal movements are recorded in NAIT. Accurate NAIT records allow us to trace animal movements quickly and minimise disruption for the farm.”
He also advised keeping herd groups separate to isolate any infection and minimise disruption if an infection is found.
“As we move into winter a lot of farmers will be sending cattle out to grazing.
It’s important that farmers talk to graziers to let them know they expect their cattle to be separated from other herds to mitigate the risk of contracting any infectious disease, not just M. bovis,” he said.

  • By Sharon Davis