Reducing the Risk from Buying in Cattle
The best way to avoid buying in infected stock is to maintain a completely closed herd. If this is not possible on your farm you should still consider the following ways to reduce the risk of buying in infected cattle.
Remember putting in place any risk reduction is always better than doing nothing!
- Breed as many of your own replacements as possible.
- Buy in as few as possible and from as few herds as possible.
- Consider buying stock directly off farm rather than via a market.
- Buy from lower risk herds (ideally herds you know the history of and which either operate as closed herds or have been free of TB for as long as possible). Ask sellers about the TB history of their herd.
- Consider buying younger cattle (e.g. calves are less risky than stores or finishing cattle)
- Consider asking seller to pre-movement test the animals
- Ensure any transport used is cleaned and disinfected before and after use.
- Isolate newly purchased stock. Ideally they should not mix with the rest of your herd until they have been TB tested at least 6 weeks after purchase. This can be done as part of a herd test or you can arrange a private test with your own vet.
