Mycoplasma bovis eradication explained, with tips for those involved

Federated Farmers' Wanganui executive is holding a seminar on cattle disease M. bovis on June 11, president Mike Cranstone says. Photo / file

People can find out more about mycoplasma bovis and how to manage it at a free seminar in Whanganui, Federated Farmers Wanganui president Mike Cranstone says.

The seminar will be held upstairs in the Wanganui Veterinary Services building in Somme Pde on June 11 at 2.30pm, with national and local speakers.

The idea is to give information on how the disease is progressing in New Zealand, and the eradication programme announced on May 28. The seminar will also give advice to affected people on how to manage in the meantime.

Affected people include farmers, lifestyle block owners, transport operators, stock agents and calf rearers.

There are no infected properties in the Whanganui region, but there are properties that may have had stock that have been in contact with animals on or near infected properties.

There may be more of those in future, Cranstone said.

M. bovis can affect both beef and dairy cattle. The animals most at risk are lactating cows and young calves, and beef calves reared in the dairy industry - because they get moved around a lot.

The speakers at the seminar will be John Pickering from Wanganui Veterinary Services, Rob Brazendale from DairyNZ and Paul McCauley from Beef + Lamb NZ, who has worked in biosecurity liaison in Southland where the disease is rife.

Representatives of NAIT and rural support trusts will also be present.

The seminar is an effort by Federated Farmers' new executive to provide value for its members and others.