When we need to investigate Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) on farm

We’ll contact you if we think M. bovis may be on your property.

We may consider your property to either have a low or high risk of being infected.

Properties with a low risk of being infected include farms that:

• sent cattle to a farm which later became infected
• neighbour an infected farm
• received cattle from an infected farm before we believe that farm was infected
• have produced a low-detect test result from bulk tank milk screening or beef and drystock surveillance.

Properties with a high risk of being infected include farms where: 

• there are or have been animals we have traced from an infected herd
• a round of active surveillance testing was positive
• a close association exists with an infected farm — they share the same owner or manager
• a high-detect test result has been produced from bulk tank milk screening or beef and drystock surveillance. 

On-farm investigation

To determine the true infection status of the herd, we may need to carry out an on-farm investigation. This involves taking blood samples and may include a census (head count and identification) of all cattle on farm. 

Movement control

For properties with a high risk of being infected, we may apply a legal notice restricting movement of cattle to minimise the possible risk of disease spreading. 

We assign an OSPRI case manager to farms that go under a legal notice, or need extra support to go through the on-farm testing process. We work with farmers to get the sampling done as quickly as possible, and at a time that works alongside routine farm operations. 

The Rural Support Trust is also available to help. 

When you can expect to receive results

To be sure that we are finding all infected cattle, we sometimes do multiple rounds of testing. 

We aim to provide you with the results of each round within 3 weeks of taking the samples. 

We’ll call you with the initial results, then follow up with written confirmation.