Dexter Cattle For Sale Discussion Board

We farm in a 4 year TB test zone.

I've entered a Belted Galloway bull for Bath & West show next week and received the paperwork this week. Luckily I noticed that ALL cattle have to have had a clear TB test within 60 days of the show.

I telephoned the show office explaining that we're in a 4 year zone and presumably didn't need a test but was told that they had been advised that all cattle had to be tested or they would not be admitted to the Showground.

Yesterday the Newbury schedule arrived and they have the same requirement.

Bath & West emailed all competitors today explaining that there had been problems at Devon county show this week - presumably with cattle turning up without a test certificate.

Can anyone tell me please what has happened at Devon Show and also can anyone explain to me the logic behind this testing requirement?

Many thanks,

Malcolm.

Hello Malcolm, Like you we had previously been very fortunate to be in a four year T.B Testing area, until a few years ago when most of the counties became 1 year testing.

I thought that unless cattle at shows were in an "open sided" building or in the open air that ALL cattle from ALL areas had to be tested 60 Days previously, Bath and West is in an "enclosed" building, so maybe this is why.

I would imagine though that a lot of shows have brought in this rule out of peer pressure from the other exhibitors (the majority being 1 year testing now), a lot of the "recently tested" ones will not want their animals rubbing shoulders (and other body parts!) with animals that have not been tested for up to four years.

We do miss the freedom and reduced cost of being four year testing, but now I am used to being 1 year, it brings some peace of mind for an annual check (also a fair bit of prayer in testing week!). To be honest if I was at a show next to "four year cattle" I would worry more about my own cattles bio security (NOT in any way implying 4 year cattle are dirty!).

The government need to wake their ideas up with the whole thing, none of it is fully "safe". If Cattle are tested "clear" on day 4 of the test, on Day 5 they could "snog an infected badger" (or acquire TB from what ever means) and then possibly spread in during the next 55 days when they are allowed to move.

T,B and TB testing are bound to get many replies to your topic!

Hope you have an enjoyable and successful show once you get there.

Best Wishes Lisa

any show that is more than 1 day cattle have to be tested . the 1 day shows are exempt if the cattle are in an open sided shed/ marqee this could be no sides or no roof ..

Thanks Jim, I've heard the rule but what is the logic behind that rule?
Malcolm.

no logic it was a compremise with the big shows and the one day shows and animal health .