Makuri Mycoplasma bovis meeting informative for local farmers

FROM LEFT: Rachael Fouhy (senior veterinarian, Tararua Vets), Emil Murphy (MPI) and Jane Tylee (Rural Support Trust) at the Makuri farmers' support meeting.

Makuri farmers were called together last week to discuss the impact of Mycoplasma bovis found on government-owned Rangedale farm at Pori, east of Pahiatua. The entire herd of 900 cattle of a variety of ages will be slaughtered.

The meeting was organised by Jane Tylee of Rural Trust Support and Rachael Fouhy, senior veterinarian from Tararua Vets after receiving calls from farmers concerned about M Bovis in the district.

"We wanted them to receive the same information, to avoid mistrust and mistruths, to be able to ask questions and to be supported by Jane and myself," said Rachael. "Landcorp, which operates Rangedale farm, came along with three representatives and was very open about what was happening on the property."

Emil Murphy from MPI talked about the disease and how it spreads.

"The biggest risk is calves getting it from raw milk from infected cows. A lot of our tracing has been where calves have come from - it's been our main focus. It can be spread by nose to nose contact," he said.

"The testing process for animals normally results in a vet getting an answer straight away from a blood test. With M Bovis it can hide in the body and give false results. It needs to be tested repeatedly over lots of animals to get a secure answer. This has been the process followed at Rangedale," said Rachael.

The number of properties in New Zealand under control leapt from 129 to 299 in just six days this month. There are 38 infected properties now with two more found on Thursday morning in Oamaru and Southland.

On top of that there are 40 properties which are highly likely to become infected. It was explained that 80 per cent of farmers receive compensation from which the value of the stock minus meat company payments from slaughtering is applied. Up to 22,000 cattle could be slaughtered nationally.

"Farmers' mental health is a big issue. They're in a situation of uncertainty," said Rachael.
"After the meeting the feedback was that farmers understood the risk a lot better and felt more secure as to what the future holds.

"I would like to see some firm decisions made by the Government in the next four weeks about where they are going to go with this. Are they going to call it containment or eradication or say 'this is what we are going to do for the next three years' and phase it out."

Tararua Mayor Tracey Collis has a take on biosecurity.

"One of the take home points from the meeting at Makuri is around vehicles transferring mud, using the phrase 'clean on - clean off' so when a contractor comes on to the property the vehicle is clean, when they leave it is clean.

"It's practised in the organic/viticulture industry, ensuring nothing is transferred between properties. Another point was limestone on tracks is good because it's hard for bacteria to survive in alkaline conditions".

MP for Wairarapa Alastair Scott was concerned about a lack of response, contact and communication with neighbouring farms to Rangedale.

"There should be personal contact with the bordering farmers . . . making sure they are ok," he said.

If anyone has any concerns about M Bovis contact Rachael Fouhy on 376 8046 or Jane Tylee on 376 3825.