Are there any exceptions to testing breeding cattle?
A. Yes. Exceptions are: 1. Nursing calves that are moving with a TB test-negative dam don’t need a test. If the pair is split, however, the calf must be tested and officially identified. 2. Cattle of any age or sex that are moving directly to slaughter do not need a test and may move on a waybill either from a farm of origin or from a livestock market. 3. Cattle originating from a TB accredited-free herd. (To obtain information about this annual testing program, call the TAHC at 1-800-550-8242 and ask for Program Records.) Q. What’s involved, and how long does it take to get the cattle TB tested? A. To conduct a TB skin test on cattle, an accredited veterinarian injects a tiny amount of tuberculin into the animal’s skin near its tail, in an area called the “caudal fold.” The veterinarian must examine the injection site 72 hours later for a reaction, such as swelling, that might indicate the animal has been exposed to cattle TB. If the animals in the consignment test negative for TB, th
