TB
Shepton Vets want to minimise the stress Tuberculosis (TB) causes farmers and cattle. We will always try to help make TB tests run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Our TB services extend beyond just TB testing, we provide proactive TB advisory services that help to prevent and control disease. We have an experienced TB testing team that have up to date knowledge of local disease trends and the rules and regulations surrounding TB.
We gather our own TB data to monitor reactor and inconclusive reactor numbers across the practice. There has been good progress made in disease reduction since 2018 when badger culling was implemented across the region.
APHA testing requirements – how do we try to help farmers in this area?
- We know TB testing can be a stressful time for you and your cattle. We have a dedicated team of TB testers who carry out over 80% of TB tests. Our TB testing team is a mix of vets and Approved Tuberculin Testers (ATTs). All are highly experienced TB testers and cattle handlers and all want to get the job done efficiently.
- We use TB Master handheld devices, paper can be used if you prefer.
- We work with you to test at a mutually convenient time.
- If you need an extra pair of hands at your TB test, we usually have final year vet students that can come along and help.
TBAS
All farms are eligible for a free TBAS visit which provides farmers with tailored, practical, cost-effective measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of TB entry. The visits can be used to provide support and advice to those farmers experiencing a TB breakdown.
We deliver TB advice through the free TB Advisory Scheme (TBAS). We have 3 TBAS advisors in the practice, Ralph Drouin and Alex Perkins.
CHECs TB
We are highly motivated to support you prevent TB. We deliver the CHeCS TB Scheme to reduce disease risk and TB testing frequency.
Ralph has signed up many of our clients to this health scheme. The rules for the CHeCS TB Accreditation Scheme, which keeps your herd on 12 monthly testing (contiguous testing excepted) contain 3 useful pieces of advice:
- Cull any inconclusive reactors within 6 months of them first testing inconclusive (this is mandatory on the scheme)
- Don’t buy from herds which have just had their restrictions lifted
- Look at the ibTB map to see the TB prevalence around a farm before you buy in cattle
Farmcare West
Shepton Vets is a key delivery partner in the region through Farmcare Wessex. This involves ensuring effective delivery of vet services to government and extends beyond TB. We are required to step in when there are national disease outbreaks, we have been involved in Avian Influenza control and now potentially Bluetongue virus. Paddy Gordon is Deputy Principle Official Vet and a Director of Farmcare West.
We recommend the following TB resource:
