Sacrifices paying off in fight against disease

Since detection in July 2017, government agencies, industry and farmers have worked hard to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) from New Zealand. That work appears to be paying off and due in large part to the efforts and sacrifices made by farmers and the wider agricultural sector, the country is on track to be the first to eradicate M. bovis.

“We are at a crucial point in eradicating this disease where we are aiming to move from delimiting – controlling the last known pockets of the disease – to provisional absence,” M. bovis Eradication Programme Director Simon Andrew says. “We are now looking harder to find less through our background and network surveillance. We also need farmers and those working in the industry to stay focused on good biosecurity practices to keep M. bovis out.” Martin and Theo Sneek are problemsolvers by nature. Originally from a dairy farming family in the Netherlands, Theo came to New Zealand on an exchange programme back in 2003. Martin followed soon after. The brothers are sharemilkers on two farms in North Canterbury, where they have 1,700 dairy cows, 500 replacements and raise 500 beef cattle. In March 2018, their problem-solving abilities were tested when they learned that M. bovis was detected on the property they farm. “It was hard but we had to be practical and figure out a way to get through,” Martin says. Both say their MPI Farm Systems Manager, Duncan Trotter, helped them with practical guidance. “We drank a lot of coffee with Duncan,” Theo says. The compensation from the M. bovis Eradication Programme meant they could think about rebuilding their business. “Essentially we looked at every aspect of our business and considered both biosecurity and sustainability,” Martin says. “We plan to be doing this for a long time,” Theo says. “So it needs to be profitable but it also needs to be satisfying – we want to feel proud about what we have accomplished.” Marty and Jo Ashby have been dairy farming in Canterbury for decades. They have about 650 dairy cows with a 180ha milking platform and 150ha run-off block. Through the years they have worked hard to create a thriving business. When they got the call in 2019 that M. bovis was detected on their property, it was a kick in the guts. “The first thing that was important to us was to get as much information as possible in terms of test results and what that meant for our farm,” Marty says. Both Marty and Jo say they were fortunate to have AsureQuality points of contact, including Loris McLeod, who

| Martin and Theo Sneek with their dog Blits.

has since become MPI Acting Team Manager for the Farm Systems Managers in the Upper South Island. Other support has come from Cara Gregan with the DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand Compensation Assistance Team (DBCAT) and solid relationships with people such as their stock agent and veterinarians. “We were in shock the first couple of days. We were looking at losing 30 years of breeding,” Marty says. “But then Jo and I looked at each other and thought ‘OK, how are we going to take on this challenge?’” Their advice after this experience? “Once it’s proven, try to work with the people who are at least for the most part trying to help you. You’ve got to be a little bit philosophical,” Marty says. “For those who are on the other side, it’s important to remember that in most cases we are businesspeople and have a vast amount of knowledge. If that’s recognised and valued, it’s a lot easier to work together to solve a difficult problem.”

The M. bovis Eradication Programme is a partnership between the Ministry for Primary Industries, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and DairyNZ.

We were in shock the first couple of days.”

Marty and Jo Ashby.

BEST PRACTICE

Talk with your veterinarians, DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand about ways to reduce the risk of M. bovis and build those into your biosecurity plans and animal health plans. • Run cattle in management units that don’t mix. Minimise introductions and keep any introductions low-risk (eg, keep mobs separate for their duration on grazing blocks). • Secure boundaries through fencing. Make sure nose-to-nose contact is not possible between neighbouring properties. • NAIT is a legal requirement and key to good biosecurity as it makes it easier and faster to trace animals. Ensure any equipment or biological products you bring on-farm are M. bovis free. Make sure equipment (such as borrowed milk feeding equipment) is clean and disinfected before use on your property. These good on-farm biosecurity practices will help limit the spread of other diseases as well.

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