'Free' status will greatly benefit those who export breeding cattle

By LORI COPE and KRISTY HEMMINGSEN

Dr. Rick Allison administers the injection of tuberculin into a dairy cow, the first part of a two-part test to detect any tuberculosis in the state's dairy, and purebred beef, herds. Allison is one of many private practice veterinarians working with Texas Animal Health Commission to help regain the state's TB-free status. -- Staff photo by Hemmingsen

November 13, 2003 -- Because Texas is trying to earn a national, accredited TB-free status for its cattle and their producers, Dr. Rick Allison, a Hopkins County veterinarian, was out early one morning last week doing his part to reach the goal.

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has spearheaded the effort to help the Lone Star State's cattle be declared free of tuberculosis (TB) so the cattle can move across state lines without restrictions.

Under current U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations, Texas breeding cattle not originating from a TB-accredited free herd may not be exported out of state until they've tested negative for cattle TB. Also, some states penalize Texas cattle by requiring additional testing or identification procedures for dairy calves or feeder cattle. TB tests or tagging requirements can be costly for Texas ranchers, who, each year, export more than 150,000 breeding cattle and nearly a million head of feeder animals.

In undertaking this massive testing effort, TAHC resourced the chore of testing the state's 850 dairy herds, and a portion of the state's beef cattle (about 2,500 purebred cattle herds), to private practice veterinarians.

Allison, who practices from Dairy Health Services clinic in Sulphur Springs, is just one of close to 150 private practice, accredited veterinarians who have completed TAHC's TB testing training, and returned their contract concerning payment to TAHC.

Dairy producers, and purebred beef cattle ranchers, can have their cattle tested for TB at no charge. TAHC hopes using the private practice vets will make the cattle owners more comfortable about having a vet, maybe their own vet, come to their farm or ranch.

Carla Everett, TAHC spokesperson, said dairy producers or purebred cattle ranchers can first contact their vet to see if they are participating in the testing effort. If not, TAHC has a list of vets who are (800-252-8242).

The veterinarians sign a contract with TAHC noting they will be paid, with U.S. Department of Agriculture funds, $8 per head tested; plus $40 for each visit to the farm (total of $80 for the two-part testing procedure - once to administer the TB test, and 72 hours later to "read" the test.)

"It has to be the whole herd," Everett pointed out, "with the exception of baby calves." Once the producer or rancher schedules the testing with the vet, they should gather the cattle so they can be presented for testing.

Allison noted that fitting the testing appointments into an already busy schedule can be hectic at times, but overall, he said it's not too difficult.

Allison began the testing procedure by injecting tuberculin into each cow's caudal fold area (located under the tail head). And, each cow is given a small silver ear tag for USDA identification purposes. The vet returned to the farm 72 hours later to "read" each cow's test by examining the injection site for a reaction, such as a thickening of the skin.

Each vet which conducts testing, report their findings to TAHC or a USDA regulatory veterinarian. The cow is given a second chance, or another test, within seven days. The injection of two antigens are given in the neck; then read in 72 hours by a USDA regulatory veterinarian.

From here, the cow will be classified as negative, suspect, or as a reactor. TAHC reports about 3 to 5 percent of dairy cattle, and 1 to 2 percent of beef cattle, will develop a "response" to the caudal fold test even though they're not infected with TB. Only about 1 percent of the cows

given the comparative cervical test will be classified as a suspect or reactor when they are not infected with TB.

Any cow deemed a reactor, following testing or re-testing, is tagged with a red or yellow metal ear tag and will be slaughtered. USDA pays the producer "fair market value" for the slaughter cow(s), according to TAHC.

Currently, Texas has a "modified accredited advanced" TB status on its cattle because the disease was found in 2001 in a Fayette County purebred beef herd, a beef herd in Irion County, a dairy herd in Pecos County, and in August 2003 in a beef herd in Zavala County. More than 14,000 head of cattle that had an epidemiological link to the state's infected herds have been TB tested, TAHC said.

"This testing is for anyone with a dairy or purebred beef herd," said one veterinarian participating in the testing program. "This testing is a necessity in a way. Texas had to come up with a plan to satisfy the federal government (to regain a TB-free status). This is just one part of the plan to get rid of the downgraded status; and an effort to locate the source (of any TB).

"And," Everett added, "there's no cost to the client."

Another part of the plan includes controlling feeder cattle and rodeo stock imported from Mexico, a country that is known to have greater rates of TB infection than the United States.

TAHC's goal is to have the information presented to USDA and have Texas deemed "TB-free" by August 2005.an be hectic at times, but that it's really not that bad.