Dairy cow with inconclusive tb

Sam Kade

I had a dairy cow with inconclusive tb in the annual herd test. I got a letter from dept saying to isolate cow and keep her milk out of the tank. Her milk must be dumped and a record kept of how much milk she had and where and when it was dumped. I presume it can be dumped in the slurry tank. Anyone else had a similar situation?

Milked out

Neighbour factories inconclusive if it's only the one. That way animal is gone earlier and if the cultures come back positive she may have been more likely to be a reactor on second test and may go clear earlier. If she is negative in cultures you take a hit alright. Depends on how you are for numbers. Haven't done that ourselves yet anyway. Don't recall reading about a record milk disposal tho we had a heifer go down this year so not an issue for us hopefully won't be. U could ring I assume slurry tank should be fine. You'd think they'd say the methods of disposal to be used if they want u to record it

Milked out

This new version of boards is a bollix for posting and replying in the phone

Sam Kade

Milked out wrote: »

This new version of boards is a bollix for posting and replying in the phone

I'm still using the old version on the phone.

Buford T. Justice XIX

Milked out wrote: »

This new version of boards is a bollix for posting and replying in the phone

FYP;)

Sam Kade

Milked out wrote: »

Neighbour factories inconclusive if it's only the one. That way animal is gone earlier and if the cultures come back positive she may have been more likely to be a reactor on second test and may go clear earlier. If she is negative in cultures you take a hit alright. Depends on how you are for numbers. Haven't done that ourselves yet anyway. Don't recall reading about a record milk disposal tho we had a heifer go down this year so not an issue for us hopefully won't be. U could ring I assume slurry tank should be fine. You'd think they'd say the methods of disposal to be used if they want u to record it

I'm low on numbers and lost one cow already. Yes it would be a good idea if they told you where to dump the milk.

blue5000

I'm slightly biased, had a bad breakdown last year that started with 2 doubtfuls, so you may not want to take my advice, which is, get rid.

RightTurnClyde

Out the gap, you might be low on cow numbers now, but do you want to take the gamble of being even lower if she a reactor and spreads it.

blackdog1

Lost one of my top cows to inconclusive and she turned out clear after she was culled...I don't miss her now but she was a he'll of a cow. Bite the bullet or isolate and retest but it's up to you. Either way you'll always be looking at her and never happy when she's mixing with the rest.

freedominacup

Out the gap asap. Had one inconclusive this week last year. Screwed us fairly badly as we had a deal almost done on a group of cows coming in. Compo very fair though for list animal and back after one clear test.iirc.

Kovu

Neighbour had one inconclusive last year, she passed the next test as clear but he wanted rid of her regardless. Can't sell inconclusive reactors in the mart so he factoried her, she showed lesions and he was promptly locked up. :pac:

KatyMac

Always dispose of inconclusives asap. Not worth it keeping.

Milked out

freedominacup wrote: »

Out the gap asap. Had one inconclusive this week last year. Screwed us fairly badly as we had a deal almost done on a group of cows coming in. Compo very fair though for list animal and back after one clear test.iirc.

Did u get compo as she killed out with lesions.? Wasn't aware you'd get It if u chose to get rid of an inconclusive?

Sam Kade

Fcuk it, I sent off the letter today for a retest I suppose I could ring the dvo and say I want her factoried.

freedominacup

Milked out wrote: »

Did u get compo as she killed out with lesions.? Wasn't aware you'd get It if u chose to get rid of an inconclusive?

Thinking back she was knocked. We didn't have a choice. She was on the margin between inconclusive and knocked. But as Bobby said "if there's any doubt there's no doubt".

J.O. Farmer

If she's inconclusive you might as well be married to her. She's there till death does you part I think.
If she's inconclusive a second time even in a couple of years I think the department will sign the execution order.
I'd say if she's inconclusive you're as well signing the order and I suppose it depends on the animal whether 6-8 weeks of intensive feeding will pay.

cute geoge

I had 2 inconclusive at tb test 2 years ago any way i had to retest them after 60 days and all clear .i still have them and they have tested clear 4 times since .That tb test is a bit of a cod with cows showing up lumps but no tb
Cows with tb don't show up lumps often as well what do you make of that

greysides

What to do with an inconclusive is always a tough call. Only time will tell what the right call was and if you made it or not. To a degree it depends on your mentality, some people are happy to take chances, others prefer to play it safe. It also depends on what you've got at stake by potentially keeping an animal that may go down later and lock you up then. Some times the timing is such that it's better to get rid of one now and take your chances at lesions showing up/herd retest than to drag things out and potentially be locked up at a time of the year where you may need to sell calves/buy in.
Your vet may have an opinion on the best course of action given the size and nature of the lumps. Also worth considering is the history of your farm and the situation locally at the moment and in the past.
At the decision time there may be no 'right answer' just one you can live with the easiest.

Agrian Brian

Hi all,
had two cows test inconclusive today, both yet to calf... any advice on what to do?

blue5000

How far off calving? If you slaughter you won't get compo AFAIK. Suckler or milking? Do you sell live cattle or slaughter everything?

Mooooo

You should get a letter outling options. Retest both cows in 60 days, factory cows and get glands cultured or factory cows and retest herd in 60 days I think. Depends on your area then i guess. In the past we've kept inconclusive and tested again and they've gone clear and gone down. Haven't had one go down in factory yet but neighbour has. If you do keep and they pass the next test afaik you can't sell them live they'll have to go to the factory whenever you decide to cull etc

Agrian Brian

blue5000 wrote: »

How far off calving? If you slaughter you won't get compo AFAIK. Suckler or milking? Do you sell live cattle or slaughter everything?

They're probably 3 weeks off calving, they're milking cows and we sell live cattle. I wonder if they calf down will their calves be an issue too?

Agrian Brian

Mooooo wrote: »

You should get a letter outling options. Retest both cows in 60 days, factory cows and get glands cultured or factory cows and retest herd in 60 days I think. Depends on your area then i guess. In the past we've kept inconclusive and tested again and they've gone clear and gone down. Haven't had one go down in factory yet but neighbour has. If you do keep and they pass the next test afaik you can't sell them live they'll have to go to the factory whenever you decide to cull etc

I'm assuming you'd have to wait for cows to calf before sending to factory?

greysides

They may not be willing to take them that close to calving. The calves will not be an issue, they are not taken.

tanko

greysides wrote: »

They may not be willing to take them that close to calving. The calves will not be an issue, they are not taken.

If a pregnant cow has TB, is her calf born with it?

greysides

tanko wrote: »

If a pregnant cow has TB, is her calf born with it?

There is a congenital form of TB but it's so rare the answer is effectively no. The Dept certainly aren't worried about it.