A French farm faced bovine tuberculosis, leading to a total slaughter of 94 cows and a costly rebuild, with improved milk quality and state support helping them recover.
Bovine tuberculosis detected in farm
On December 23, state services informed Lionel Hilaire and his cousin Olivier Hilaire, who run the Gaec du Bois Ménil, that two of their cows tested positive for bovine tuberculosis. The farm is located in the Orne area, a region known for concentrated cases of the disease, sometimes called Norman Switzerland.Farm herd slaughtered in mid-January
The herd of the Gaec du Bois Ménil was slaughtered in mid-January, with the departure of the animals spread over several days. Lionel Hilaire described the process as emotionally difficult but noted the support from family, neighbors, and friends.Investigating the source of contamination
The two partners are awaiting results of an epidemiological investigation and genotyping of the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis taken from the slaughtered animals to determine the source of contamination. They opted for total slaughter despite the complexity of selective slaughter presented by the administration, citing logistical challenges during the cleaning and disinfection phase.Outbreak begins during prophylaxis
The outbreak began on December 1 during a period of reinforced prophylaxis, when two cows gave a non-negative response to the comparative intradermal tuberculin test. They were sent directly to the slaughterhouse for a diagnosis, and the farm was placed under a prefectural infection declaration the same day. The APDI (Animal Premises Disease Inspection) will be lifted on April 7.Cows sourced from Breton herds
The 94 cows and their calves were sourced from two Breton herds that had been given up due to retirement and illness. The two herds adapted to their new living conditions, with one arriving a week before the end of the APDI and the other the same day. Lactalis agreed to pay for the milk discarded during these seven days.Cleaning and biosecurity measures
To meet regulatory requirements for lifting the APDI, the farm underwent extensive cleaning and disinfection, including the use of 5 tons per hectare of lime. The Gaec also implemented biosecurity measures such as fencing pastures, wetlands, and natural water points. The administration was involved in some aspects, such as removing the manure crust at the bottom of the geomembrane pit, which required a firm approach from the producers.Farm transitions to new system
After the APDI was lifted, the farm transitioned from straw beds and milking rooms to 90 stalls and two robots. The partners worked tirelessly to adapt the cows to the new system, with some cows still hesitating to lie down in the stalls. The farm also uses a bacterial and enzymatic complex to prevent potential colonization of pathogenic germs. Milk quality improved significantly, with cell counts dropping from 2,253,000 to 160,000.Compensation and support received
The Gaec received state compensation for the three months of no dairy production, based on the milk price from November 2025, which was 30 to 40 euros per 1,000 liters higher than the first quarter of 2026. The state also covered costs related to repopulating the farm, with a cap on certain expenses. Suppliers showed solidarity by suspending collections for six months. The partners are still assessing the long-term impact of the outbreak, with savings from the wheat price surge in 2022 potentially providing a buffer if further issues arise.
