Potential bovine TB movement restrictions can be the main factor that puts many NI farmers off exploring contract-rearing arrangements for dairy heifers.

On enquiry by the Irish Farmers Journal, DAERA has clarified rules surrounding TB testing and movement restrictions for both contract-rearers and the dairy farm of origin.

Firstly, if one herd goes down with TB, it does not necessarily mean that the other herd has movement restrictions applied.

“In the absence of other risk factors, the two holdings would effectively be treated as two separate herds which have moved cattle between them,” a DAERA spokesperson said.

However, if TB is detected in the dairy herd where the heifers originally came from, individual animal restrictions “will likely” be applied to dairy heifers that have been moved to the contract-rearer’s herd.

If the dairy herd is closed up with TB, young heifer calves will not be permitted to move to the contract-rearer.

TB in contract herd

If TB is initially found in the contract herd, the follow-up actions in the dairy herd of origin will depend on factors such as the severity of the breakdown, the length of time that the heifers have been in the contract herd and the results of other TB tests since cattle were moved.

“If the breakdown is severe and involves cattle that have moved from the dairy herd recently, the dairy herd is likely to be subject to a herd-level TB restriction and herd tests,” the spokesperson said.

Under this scenario, all cattle in the contract-rearer’s herd will face the usual movement restrictions and TB testing requirements, regardless of their herd of origin.

But what happens if the contract herd is closed up while dairy heifers are calving and there are no milking facilities on the farm?

“Under extreme animal welfare conditions, the local Divisional Veterinary Office may authorise movement,” the DAERA spokesperson said.

“Movement back to the original herd from a contract herd under restriction will result in restriction of the original herd for the appropriate length of time,” the spokesperson added.

Outfarm

An option for contract-rearers who have no other cattle on their farm, other than heifers from a single dairy farm, is to use the dairy farm’s herd number.

This would mean the contract-rearing farm is essentially treated as an outfarm of the dairy farm and there would be no need to submit movement documents when moving heifers.

If there was a TB breakdown, restrictions would apply to both farms, regardless of where the breakdown occurred.

However, heifers could still move between the two farms under these circumstances. “Although such movements would generally not be good biosecurity practice,” the spokesperson said.

Mixed herd

Where cattle from the dairy herd are housed in the same accommodation as cattle in the contract-rearing herd, the premises should be registered with DAERA as a “mixed herd contract house”.

“Where separation is not possible, the two herds will be associated on APHIS. This means that any movement restriction applied to one herd number will apply to all associated herd numbers,” the spokesperson said.

Mixed herd contract house herds do not use the standard MC2 movement document when cattle move on or off the premises. Instead, a MCL2 movement licence is used. Again, the DVO can allow some movements under a MCL2 under “extreme animal welfare conditions”, although movements will generally be prohibited if the herd is closed up with TB.

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