You need to sign up for TB management if you're a Person in Charge of Animals (PICA) responsible for the day-to-day management of cattle or deer. This includes everything from a single cow or deer (for example, on your lifestyle block) to a large herd of deer or cattle.

Why you need to register

Registering for TB management means that you’ll be set up as part of our TB testing programme. You’ll get a TBfree herd number (formerly known as AHB number) that’s separate from your NAIT location number, and our testing contractors will contact you to organise TB testing at your property (if it's required).

How often your animals are tested will depend on which area in the country you live in and what the risk of TB is in that area. You can check this on our disease control area map.

Being registered for TB management also ensures we know who to talk to about any legal, compliance or financial matters concerning your animals — for example, if we need to pay you compensation for an animal that tests positive for TB and needs to be slaughtered.

Cow graphic

Legally, every cattle and deer herd in New Zealand needs to be registered for TB management. Under the Biosecurity Act you could be prosecuted if you don't register for TB management. If you're convicted, you could be liable for fines of up to $5000 for an individual, or up to $15,000 for a corporation.

Sign-up exceptions

You don’t need to sign up for TB management if you’re running stock on an established unit with the same species.

You may not need to sign up for TB management if you're running stock in conjunction with an already established herd. Call our Support Centre on 0800 482 463 to find out.

If you're exempt, you can just use the TB herd number that’s already been set up for stock on the property. For example, if you’re a sharemilker rearing calves on an established dairy unit, you can run your stock under the dairy herd’s TBfree herd number.

How to register

You can register your herd by:

  • completing our herd registration form and emailing it to us at info@ospri.co.nz
  • calling our Support Centre on 0800 482 463.

We'll let you know what your TB herd number is within 2 working days.