Table: Simple explainer of new rules for farmers buying cows at the mart
Many farmers buying cows at the mart have contacted Agriland to voice confusion over the new TB rules for trading cattle which came into effect on Monday (April 13).
Under the new TB Action Plan, farmers will see changes to rules for trading mainly cows through livestock marts.
Ahead of the changes, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) outlined how those changes will look.
Farmers selling cattle, their animals will be assigned to one of three groups so they can be presented for sale.
The Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) system will notify the mart of the animal grouping.
For farmers buying cattle, their herd will also be assigned to a group. The group will determine what animals the herd is eligible to buy.
It is important to emphasise there is no change to herds buying non-breeding cattle under 36 months-of-age.
The table below outlines what cattle the three different types of herds can buy
| Group | Who Can Buy | Eligible Animals / Movement Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (OPEN) | Anyone can buy | Young stock (heifers / non-cow females or males under 36 months) that are “in test” (tested within last 12 months); Cows or bulls (over 36 months) with a 30-day pre movement test; Beef-bred cows or males over 36 months with an AHL test (animal and herd tested in last 6 months) |
| Group 2 (DRY) | Non-milk-supplying and non-breeding herds only | Dairy-bred cows with an AHL test (animal + herd tested in last 6 months) |
| Group 3 (CFU) | Only DAFM-approved Controlled Finishing Units | Cows from exposed cohorts in herds greater than 80 cows that were GIF tested Any “in test” animal, including in-test dairy-bred cows |
Dairy cows entering a breeding herd will have to undergo a 30-day pre movement test, but this is not needed where these are being purchased by any non breeding herds.
Suckler-bred cows can sill be purchased by any herd once they have been tested in the past six months.
Cows from exposed cohorts in herds greater than 80 that were GIF tested can only be purchased by DAFM-approved Controlled Finishing Units (CFUs).
