We had our annual full herd TB test last Friday with the results read on Monday. To our dismay we had 1 reactor.
We tested 121 animals , we had 1 reactor.
The big flaw in the TB skin test is that a skin reaction does not mean the animal has TB – but for whatever reason she reacted to the skin test. However that lump on her neck seals her fate and Wessex Catherine is now quarantined, wearing the dreaded green tag and awaiting collection, She will then be killed and undergo further tests to actually check if she is clear or not.
In the meantime our herd is now under movement restrictions and we will have to go through 2 further 60 day apart tests to prove the herd is clear. This unfortunately means we will no longer be able to attend the planned shows. A particular disappointment as we had secured Lowline classes for the first time at Dorset County show.
However we will remain positive, it is just 1 reactor out of the whole herd so we are confident she is clear. We have good bio security, we have badger fencing around our main pastures and a healthy herd. Plus we regularly TB pre-movement test animals when we move them either between holdings, to shows or that we have sold and we have always been clear so the odds are in our favour.
Wessex Catherine, a nice bright cow with a sad outcome
Wessex Catherine and the green tag no one wants to see