Edition 325, Friday 15 September 2023

Programme updates are provided monthly, with adhoc updates as required.

In this issue

• Have your say - M. bovis Consultation
• Case Review update
• Biosecurity tips: Cattle breeding

Have your say

A proposal is being made to change how the M. bovis Eradication Programme will be administered in coming years. We are keen to hear what you think of our proposed plan for the next phase of eradication.

For more information

You can find the full proposal and more information including how to make a submission on the MPI website.

If you have any questions, please email MbovisConsultation@mpi.govt.nz. 

Case Review update

Mycoplasma bovis has been one of New Zealand’s biggest biosecurity responses. We’ve made significant progress towards our world-first attempt at eradication, with currently no confirmed infection.

Since the disease was first identified in July 2017, we have learned a lot about how best to control and remove infection from the NZ cattle population. We have much more information on historic cattle movements in NZ and our processes and tools have matured over time.

At a cost so far of more than $650m, 280 farms depopulated, and some 2,800 farms subjected to movement controls over the last six years, the contribution the farming community has made cannot be underestimated. To protect that work, we undertake assurance activities to provide complete confidence that no infection has been left behind.

This will ensure that our statement of absence from New Zealand stands up to scrutiny so everyone can be confident in the eradication declaration.

We are now undertaking case reviews of historic M. bovis infection, with the additional information we now have.

Animal movement records have improved greatly since July 2017 and the earlier years of the M. bovis eradication effort, providing us with more insights about historic cattle movements in New Zealand. This additional information, combined with the new improved tracing tools developed by the Programme, means we have more information on:

• how confirmed infected properties may or may not have been linked,
• the possible infection risk period,
• any cattle that may have been on a confirmed property within its highest risk period,
• additional cattle movements on and off infected properties, and
• where to focus our disease control activities.

This may identify additional animals of interest or farms to investigate further.

What does this mean for you?

In the vast majority of cases, we will be able to rely on the information we already hold to close off any potential risk identified with no further action required.

In a small number of cases, we may need to contact farmers who have previously been involved in the Programme, and their trading partners, to determine if any action is required to provide total confidence that infection is not present.

We know being contacted by the Programme can be a stressful experience, particularly if your farm has been previously confirmed or suspected to be infected. We will only contact you if we cannot identify another way to be sure that risk has been addressed.

For more information about this process or to speak to someone about your situation, please contact the Farmer Liaison team:

• phone: 0800 008 333
• email: Mbovis_Liaison@mpi.govt.nz

Biosecurity Tips: Cattle breeding

Now that spring has arrived, it is timely to consider good biosecurity practices for breeding. Whether you’re planning to use imported semen or service bulls for your breeding plan, we recommend that you follow these recommendations.

Imported semen

The risk of transmission via semen is considered very low – especially after the introduction of the new Import Health Standard (IHS) in May 2022 – but low risk is not the same as no risk. As a precaution, we encourage farmers to:

• Use semen imported under the current IHS.
• If you are planning to use bovine semen that was imported into New Zealand before May 2022, check with your supplier to discuss whether that semen has been treated with the Certified Semen Services Minimum Requirements for Disease Control of Semen Produced for AI (CSS) protocol or has been tested for M. bovis.
• Ask your semen supplier for advice on what testing the bull and/or semen has been subjected to for assurance that the semen is free of M. bovis.

Importers of bovine semen are working with the M. bovis Programme to bring all imported semen in stock an equivalent level of protection to the new IHS.

Service bulls

Bulls that have been in contact with infected cows and then are moved to another herd, are a risk for the spread of M. bovis. To avoid this risk:

• Bulls should arrive properly identified and with their movement history details. Tell your vendor or agent that you expect this.
• Hold bulls separately from the main herd for at least 7 days to assess their health status.
• Where artificial insemination is being used, check the history of the bull to ensure you are comfortable with the movement and health history before insemination.

If you have any concerns about the bulls’ health, contact your veterinarian before you mix them with the herd.

Artificial insemination from domestic bulls

We recommend talking to your genetics provider to ensure you are comfortable with the biosecurity measures and disease screening for purchased straws.

 For more breeding information, visit:

• Better beef breeding – (beeflambnz.com)
• Better breeding worth – (dairynz.co.nz)
• Reproduction and mating – (dairynz.co.nz)