A Northland dairy farming leader is calling on those buying and selling livestock to register for their National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) number to prevent the spread of Mycoplasma bovis.
Federated Farmers Northland dairy chairman Ashley Cullen said some dairy and dry stock beef farmers in the region were still not taking the disease seriously despite outbreaks in other parts of the country.
The Ministry of Primary Industries this week confirmed an unnamed property with about 50 beef cattle in Northland, believed to be in the Kaipara, has tested positive for Mycoplasma bovis.
It's the first time the bacterial disease has been confirmed in the region.
Cullen said since the disease was found on a beef farm, it would be a lot easier to contain or eradicate the disease than if it was discovered on a dairy farm.