Mycoplasma bovis: dry stock farmers seek information

There are different levels of M. bovis transmission risks and impacts for dry stock compared to dairy cows. Photo / File

Paul McCauley is getting a lot of phone calls about Mycoplasma bovis as concerned dry stock farmers seek as much information about the disease as they can.

Mr McCauley, of Alexandra, was Beef + Lamb New Zealand's national extension manager until he left BLNZ last Christmas.

Shortly afterwards, he started his own consulting and coaching business for rural professionals, McCauley Consulting Ltd, as he wanted to stay in Central Otago.

He contracted back to BLNZ as a biosecurity adviser last month with much of his attention focused on M. bovis. He is working with both dry stock farmers and the Ministry of Primary Industries' regional response teams.

As at last week, there were 28 infected properties in Otago, Southland, Canterbury and Hawke's Bay.

''There had been a lot of disinformation and lack of information for dry stock farmers,'' Mr McCauley said.

Paul McCauley. Photo / Supplied

However, more was becoming available and was being sought by farmers.

''I have been on the end of the phone a lot answering farmers' questions,'' he said.

Much of the information on M. bovis was more relevant to the dairy industry, which had been more affected, which meant "the messages needed tweaking for dry stock guys''.

Compared with dairy cows, there were quite different levels of transmission risks and impacts for extensively farmed dry stock.

One of the effects had been an increased awareness of the need for better biosecurity and hygiene practices and more accurate stock movement and national animal identification and tracing (Nait) records, especially as farmers started dairy grazing on their properties or buying in calves for rearing.

''Already we are seeing an increase in questions being asked around animal health status and movement records and that is a good thing.''

He also encouraged farmers to have a formal biosecurity plan in place.