TB Makes for a Sick Market in Minnesota
MINNESOTA, US - The recent outbreak of Bovine Tuberculosis has wreaked havoc in Minnesota, but it's not just the producers who are suffering, the State's livestock auction market has been hit as well.
19 March 2008
2 minute read
Feeder cattle sold to out-of-state buyers have to be held in the market for three days to allow for TB testing to occur, reports Agri News. It says if there are any suspicious cases, the whole group is held and retested. This increases the hold time to about an additional week, said Jeff Reed, Central Livestock Association chief operating officer.
TB testing slows down the flow of the market, he said, it's also disruptive for the buyer who wants to get the cattle settled and on a set feeding program as soon as possible after purchase. The buyer must also pay for the testing.
Central Livestock Association board members have taken the position that buyers and sellers won't be charged for additional costs incurred for animal care during the testing period. It's costing CLA money, but they are absorbing the cost for the good of the membership and to hold buyers, Reed said.
The majority of their customers sell from five to 500 cattle a year, with many selling five to 50 head a year through CLA markets, he said.
The TB impact has also been felt at CLA's market at West Fargo, N.D. Prior to TB being found in northwestern Minnesota beef cattle herds, 30 percent to 35 percent of the cattle sold were from Minnesota. That figure has fallen to 5 percent and they are all either TB-tested feeder cattle or cull cows.
Further Reading
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- | Find out more information on Bovine Tuberculosis by clicking here. |
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