When a majority of the resident cattle owners, representing seventy-five per cent of the cattle in a county, township, municipality or other designated area have either placed their cattle under supervision or petitioned upon forms issued and approved by the department for tuberculin testing of their cattle, the department shall notify the board of freeholders or other governing body of the county, township, municipality or other designated area of such fact and may commence tuberculin testing under the area or any other approved plans without expense to the owner to the extent of funds available, provided the owners agree to comply with all the provisions of this article and all orders, rules and regulations formulated thereon.