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Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 1:34 pm
by Sylvia
OK. Drastic Action.

Those of you who have been following my problems may like to know that with the herd now standing at 84 I have had to make difficult decisions to bring it down to a more manageable size.

My plan is this:

Next Monday I will have all the outstanding dehorning and castrations done. I will also have pre-movement testing on all my pure-bred but unregistered cattle and their calves. And PD on any I'm not sure about.

By the following Thursday I will know their status. If all is well they go to market as soon as it can be arranged.
This will amount to about a dozen cows with calves/in calf and about 10 '06 heifers. I have 12 '06 steers but will probably keep these for beef or selling finished. A couple of registed cows will probably go too.

I am aware that this is not a financially rewarding solution but it cannot be helped.

It goes without saying that if anyone in a one year testing zone is interested in these cattle they should e-mail me but I'm not holding my breath. I am also avoiding thinking what nice animals some of these are. I cannot take this number through the winter so that is an end to it.

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 6:38 pm
by Broomcroft
What is the real risk of purchasing cattle from a one year zone?

I think I remember my vet said he would be more worried about other diseases, not TB when buying stock in!

Almost everywhere over our way is all a one year zone. The TB scare that helped to introduce to 1 year testing was brought in by a few farms buying a load of animals from a 4 year farm.

People around here say that they would rather buy from a one year zone because of the more constant testing! Is that them being in denial or has it a logic?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:14 pm
by Inger
You're right Clive. If the animals are tested yearly and you buy the animals soon after testing, that's the best guarantee against Tb possible.

Show cattle in this country have to be tested yearly, (according to show rules) in order to attend most County shows.

I hope the testing and sale goes well Sylvia.

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 11:18 pm
by Sylvia
Well, Inger, following my policy of total tranparency the test results will be posted on this site on Thursday week and if the test is OK the market prices achieved will be posted the day after the animals are sold. That is if I can bear to do so. I can't work out which of those little yellow things means utter trepidation or I'd stick that on here.