Two farms in Saskatchewan are under quarantine after an Alberta cow tested positive for bovine tuberculosis.
The cow, which came from a farm near Jenner, Alta., is the only animal that has tested positive for the disease since the investigation was launched in September.
In Alberta, 33 farms are under quarantine by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as a result of the investigation and now, two Saskatchewan farms have been added to the list.
It’s unclear which farms are under investigation in Saskatchewan. The CFIA says its inspectors will contact producers in rural municipalities south of the South Saskatchewan River and west of Highway 4.
Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association spokesperson Chad MacPherson says the southwestern farm in Saskatchewan was only put under quarantine because of a trace-out from a cow in Alberta where the disease was confirmed.
“There’s minimal risk to other herds,” MacPherson said. “The disease is spread through contact with other animals, so if there is any risk, the CFIA would identify that in their trace-back process.”
According to MacPherson, the investigation shouldn’t impact the cattle industry in Saskatchewan, but individual affected producers could feel the pinch of not being able to move their stock.
The CFIA could not be reached for comment, but on their website they explained that, due to the size of the herds and the five-year histories their investigation, the probe could take months.
