Enferplex Bulk Tank Milk trial underway

Collaborating with the Ireland-based Enfer Group, we’re trialling a Bulk Tank Milk (BTM) test which has real potential of improving our bovine tuberculosis (TB) testing process.

Known as the Enferplex test, it’s been developed to screen for TB in milk and could result in a range of benefits – including greater levels of coverage for dairy farms, on-farm testing directed by early screening and therefore reduced disruption for dairy farmers.

We’re the first country to try to use the test in a national TB management programme. As New Zealand’s TB eradication programme is well developed, a BTM screening tool would be ideal to narrow down our on-farm testing to where the disease risk is located, without compromising on protecting our herds.

The trial will provide the data needed to confirm if the test will be effective in New Zealand conditions. If successful, we can then apply to MPI to register the test.

BTM samples are being collected from every dairy herd in New Zealand. These are now being tested, and we’ll be following up with on-farm TB testing of a number of dairy herds across the country as a result.

These herds consist of those that have livestock showing a detect result for TB using the Enferplex test, and then, herds that have tested negative but are within the vicinity of a positive herd. Like a regular on-farm TB test, an AsureQuality tester will get in touch to schedule this.

It’s important to note that when screening herds for TB, individual animals can present ‘as if’ infected - for a variety of reasons. So, we do expect a proportion of false positives (there is no disease) resolved by further TB testing at the farm.

We’re aiming to have all the selected herds TB tested within the April – 1^st June window. They’ll go through the standard skin and blood testing process of a normal herd test, which is outlined on the page below:

This test will count as a routine herd test and have the same results process – however the status of a herd will not change as a result of the BTM test itself.

We look forward to sharing the results of the Enferplex test trial once complete – it’s an exciting project that could have a major impact on TB testing in years to come.

If you'd like to know more or have any questions regarding the trial, get in touch by sending an email to DCPITeam@ospri.co.nz.