The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: 123...Goats! on July 08, 2020, 02:13:41 pm
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We are looking to purchase some goats for our small farm but have been advised against it because we have cattle and theres apparently a TB risk? Wanted to ask if anyone has advice or opinions on this, is it really that much of a risk if so is there a way to manage it? They're kept separate with a fair distance between them. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.
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You could have the goats TB tested before you brought/moved them? My neighbours do the same with Alpacca
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Dairy goats or Boer/meat goats?
Goats are not in the TB schemes and are not subject to routine testing as is cattle. However DEFRA/APHA can (and does) request them to be tested if there is an outbreak in cattle within a 2.5km (don't quote me on the distance though) area of your farm. If your cattle is on a testing regime then I think they would now request the goats to be tested as well.
You could always request the goats to be tested before delivery, but you may have to pay for it yourself. It would give you peace of mind though especially if the goats come from a higher TB area than you are in.
Some breeders have reported problems in pregnant goats after testing, however I think it all has to do with handling of the goats. My vet takes bloods every year just a couple of weeks before the goats are due to kid for CAE and JOhne's. Never had an issue.
I think Johne's is more of a worry, especially if the goats and cattle share grazing and/or housing. Also ask if the goats are Johne's vaccinated, as they then will need blood tested for TB, but you probably know that anyway. I would defintiely insist on a Johne's test on any goat I would bring in, only a few pedigree breeders do test and/or vaccinate.
Ditto CAE.