September 9, 2013
Biosecurity Queensland is repeating a call that if local cattle owners have concerns about their animals they should contact their local veterinarian who can work together with Biosecurity Queensland officers if required.
This follows a number of mysterious deaths of young cattle on properties in the Benair and Inverlaw areas.
A Biosecurity Queensland spokesman said today it was reviewing reports of multiple cattle deaths on South Burnett properties but said only three property owners have reported losses.
“Over the past few weeks, Biosecurity Queensland veterinary officers provided assistance to a private veterinarian in relation to a small number of deaths on one property,” the spokesman said.
“Samples from an animal on this property were submitted to the Biosecurity Queensland Laboratory at Coopers Plains for testing. These samples have been tested but a cause of death could not be determined.
“The private veterinarian indicated to Biosecurity Queensland staff that there had been a number of deaths of cattle over several properties in the same area over the preceding weeks.
“Biosecurity Queensland has since contacted a number of properties in the area to ascertain whether other producers were experiencing cattle deaths. Only three property owners reported some losses in the past few weeks.
“Biosecurity Officers visited several properties in the area over the past week and conducted a post mortem on a steer. Samples were collected from the animal and results will be provided to the property owner.”
- Related article: Autopsies Fail To Identify Cause Of Cattle Deaths
