On-Farm Bovine TB Risk Assessment: A Biosecurity Checklist for Cattle Farmers

Bovine TB risk assessment

Bovine TB risk assessment – Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) remains one of the most significant financial and operational threats to cattle herds. Implementing an effective biosecurity plan requires identifying where transmission risks occur on your farm.

This self-assessment checklist breaks down the primary risk vectors for Bovine TB introduction and spread, helping you audit your enterprise before investing in infrastructure, fencing, or management equipment. For a broader overview of farm containment protocols, explore our complete Bovine TB Prevention Guide.

1. Wildlife Vector Risks (Badger & Wildlife Contact)

Badgers and other wild mammals can carry Mycobacterium bovis and transmit it to cattle through direct contact or by contaminating feed, water, and bedding.

• Feed Store Security: Are all grain stores, clamp silos, and concentrate bins completely sealed against badgers?

• • Feed Trough & Creep Feeding Protection: Are outdoor feed supplies protected using badger-proof feeding systems? Standard creep feeders allow badgers to climb in and contaminate feed. Upgrading to a specialised Universal Creep Feeder for TB Prevention keeps wild mammals out while ensuring calves retain unhindered access to feed.

  • Mineral Lick & Supplement Security: Are mineral licks and feed blocks kept off the ground away from where badgers can lick or contaminate them? Securing supplements with a purpose-built TB Buster holder keeps feed blocks elevated and badger-proof, preventing wildlife access to mineral supplements.

  • Water Trough Placement: Are water troughs elevated to a minimum of 84 cm (33 inches) with smooth, vertical sides, or fitted with physical roller/barrier guards to prevent badger access?

2. Cattle Movement & Herd Replacement Risks

Bringing new livestock onto the holding represents one of the highest-risk routes of bTB introduction.

• Premise History: Do you verify the bTB history and testing status of the source herd before purchasing stock?

• Pre/Post-Movement Testing: Are statutory and voluntary pre-movement and post-movement isolation tests strictly enforced?

• Handling Efficiency & Safety: Is your handling system set up to stress-test cattle safely and efficiently during routine vet visits? Utilising heavy-duty TB Testing Cattle Crushes ensures full access for accurate skin testing and reading while protecting farm staff and vet teams from injury.
• Quarantine Facilities: Is there a dedicated, fully isolated quarantine unit with separate drainage for incoming cattle?

• Isolation Duration: Are new arrivals isolated for a minimum of 30 to 60 days until cleared by follow-up TB testing?

3. Boundary & Neighboring Herd Contact

Direct nose-to-nose contact across boundary fences allows nose-to-nose respiratory transmission between neighbouring herds.

• Double Fencing: Is there a minimum gap of 3 meters between your boundary fence and neighboring cattle pastures?

• Hedge & Tree Line Barriers: Are boundary hedges stock-proof and free from gaps that allow cattle to stick their heads through?

• Shared Facilities: Do you share cattle equipment, cattle crushes, or trailers with neighbouring farms without a full disinfection between uses?

• Stray Stock Protocol: Is there a clear procedure to immediately isolate stray stock without mixing them with the main herd?

4. Slurry, Manure & Environmental Hygiene

Mycobacterium bovis can survive for extended periods in moist, cool environments, slurry, and soil.

• Slurry Application: Is slurry stored for at least 6 months before land spreading to reduce viable bacteria loads?

• Grazing Intervals: Do you wait at least 60 days (or preferably longer) before grazing cattle on land spread with slurry?

• Contractor Hygiene: Are manure spreaders, slurry tankers, and contractors’ machinery thoroughly power-washed and disinfected before entering your holding?

• Drainage Management: Does run-off from dirty yards, manure heaps, or isolation units flow away from grazing pastures and watercourses?

5. Cleaning & Disinfection Infrastructure

Proper cleansing and disinfection protocols reduce environmental persistence and prevent indirect transmission.

• Approved Disinfectants: Do you use DEFRA-approved disinfectants specifically rated for Tuberculosis at the correct dilution rates?

• Vehicle Washdown Points: Is there a dedicated hard-standing area with drainage for washing down livestock transport vehicles?

• Footwear & Clothing: Are boot dips with fresh disinfectant and clean overalls available at key entry points to animal housing?

• Equipment Sanitisation: Are shared veterinary tools, tagging equipment, and calf-feeding kits disinfected between individual animals?

Next Steps in Your Biosecurity Plan

Auditing your farm’s risk vectors is step one. Continue building your complete biosecurity strategy with our upcoming guides:

• Read Part 2: Wildlife Barrier & Deterrent Infrastructure Guide

• Read Part 3: DEFRA-Approved Disinfection Protocols & Vehicle Washdown Setup

• Read Part 4: Setting Up Isolation Housing & Quarantine Pens