New farmer and vet supports launched to ease the burden of TB outbreaks
A new step-by-step guide for managing TB (tuberculosis) breakdowns in cattle herds, a series of biosecurity demonstration videos, and a practical training programme for vets have been launched following a year-long research project examining how farmers and vets experience TB outbreaks on Irish farms.
The project, COMMTB, found that farmers frequently feel overwhelmed, particularly during a first TB breakdown, and may lack clear guidance and trusted advice at the point they need it most. The new materials, developed by Teagasc, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Animal Health Ireland (AHI), and funded by DAFM, were designed directly in response to that finding.
What’s new
- A step-by-step guide for farmers managing a TB breakdown
- A series of on-farm biosecurity demonstration videos, filmed at Teagasc Moorepark, showing practical measures such as reducing badger access to farmyards
- A practical TB biosecurity training programme for vets, already piloted with private veterinary practitioners at Teagasc Moorepark farm
- An information pack for vets to share with herdowners when a reactor animal is found during testing
- A set of farmer-led recommendations on improving TB communication channels, fed back to DAFM to inform future supports
Farmers managing a TB breakdown can also contact the dedicated TB telephone helpline on 045 873580, recently introduced by DAFM as part of the bTB Action Plan.
All materials are free to access on the Teagasc website here
Why it matters
“Our research highlighted that many farmers feel uncertain and overwhelmed when managing TB, particularly during their first outbreak,” said Dr. Áine Regan, the Teagasc social scientist who led the COMMTB project. “Working closely with farmers and private veterinary practitioners (PVPs), we identified practical recommendations to improve TB communications, shared these directly with DAFM, and collaborated with policymakers to develop and test prototype communication approaches based on farmers’ and PVPs’ experiences and needs.”
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, T.D., welcomed the outcome of the project: “This work demonstrates the importance of a collaborative approach to researching issues in a practical manner and producing outcomes which can assist farmers and vets in their everyday lives. It builds on several of the actions contained in the bTB Action Plan I launched last year.”
Background
COMMTB ran for one year and was funded by DAFM as a collaboration between Teagasc, DAFM and AHI. The project consulted private veterinary practitioners and farmers to identify the most effective methods for communicating advice and information during TB risks and outbreaks. The biosecurity demonstration videos were produced in association with Siobhan Finn, Veterinary Inspector with DAFM’s Ruminant Animal Health Programmes Division, and Teagasc Moorepark staff, Stuart Childs (Dairy Specialist) and John Paul Murphy (Farm Manager).
All materials are free to access on the Teagasc website here