11/05/08 Bovine TB testing

Testing on cattle in Idaho for bovine tuberculosis is wrapping up. State veterinarian Dr Bill Barton says 35 thousand to 40 thousand cattle from five different dairy herds were testing in the Magic Valley recently and there was no evidence of the disease in any of the animals. The tests were conducted after some bulls were imported from California where the disease was found. BARTON "Seven animals were confirmed to have bovine TB. California has since tested about 258 thousand head. They're going to continue testing another 240 thousand head." Barton says testing in Idaho continues but the majority of the livestock have already been injected with a small amount of the tuberculin into the skin near the tail head. After 72 hours that injection is evaluated and if there's a positive response a blood sample is taken. BARTON "We still have a few smaller herds within the Treasure Valley to do. We should be able to complete that testing and be done with the trace outs from the California herds within the next two weeks." Barton says producers have been very cooperative with state and federal officials who are conducting the tests. Barton says it will be awhile before he can put a dollar figure on the testing program but suffice it to say its been time consuming and expensive, but with no disease reported anywhere in Idaho. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott