WESTERN PRODUCER — Two cows from a Saskatchewan ranch have tested positive for bovine tuberculosis, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
In February, the U.S Department of Agriculture notified CFIA of a positive test for bovine TB in a tissue sample from a cow exported to an American feedlot from Saskatchewan in September 2022.
The herd of origin was tested in May, reactor animals slaughtered and two cases of bovine TB confirmed June 19.
The last bovine TB incident in Canada was in the British Columbia Interior in 2018, when four cases were diagnosed following slaughter at a southern Alberta abattoir.
Those cases were found to have been contained in one herd following 23,000 tests conducted across 42 herds.
In 2016, one herd was found infected with six cases of bovine TB resulting in 15 herds being culled, which were found to be in direct contact with animals from the initial ranch. Nearly $40 million in compensation was paid to producers following that incident.
Canada continues to be recognized as a TB-free country, according to the World Organization for Animal Health.
More to follow.
Contact alex.mccuaig@producer.com
