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Bucks for brains

Page published: October 9, 2014 | Page reviewed: October 9, 2014

Australia is currently free of TSE (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies). The National TSE surveillance program helps Australia demonstrate our freedom from Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and scrapie, and meet guidelines set by the World Organisation for Animal Health in relation to this. To meet these guidelines, Australia must collect and examine eligible cattle and sheep brain and spinal cord samples each year.

Do you have cattle aged 30 months to nine years showing any of the following symptoms?

  • changes in behaviour and neurological signs
  • excessive licking of the nose and flanks
  • poor coordination (circling, staggering and falling)
  • muscle tremors
  • abnormal posture (abnormal ear position and/or head carriage)
  • difficulty in rising (downer)
  • paralysis
  • excitability
  • increased or decreased sensitivity to sound, pain, heat, cold or touch

If you have cattle with these symptoms you may be eligible to submit them to your local Biosecurity (DAF) Office and receive $300 for each animal submitted. This incentive payment is for a maximum of two animals per disease investigation.

For more information visit Disease surveillance at www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au, phone the DAF Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23 or download the information flyer (PDF 590 kB) .