‘
In addition to testing the scheme is backed up by a central, fully accessible web- based database that provides verifi cation of a negative test result for the disease
FAR LEFT “New Tag and test technology makes testing for BVD much simpler and allows farmers to quickly get a handle on the disease status of their herd,” says Dan Humphries.
RIGHT For pedigree Holstein breeders identifying persistently infected calves early in their life will enable them to cull quickly and prevent PI’s spreading the disease further through their herd.
the disease.”
Mr Humphries says the branded white tags used under the initiative are an easy to recognise and highly visible prompt for farmers to check test results prior to purchase.
“The tags are available through your veterinary practise, with tissue analysis either done through the farm’s vet or through a central laboratory, dependent on the type of tag used.
“By making BVD testing a more simple procedure the hope is that demand for BVD tested stock can be created and nurtured on a wider scale, helping move the industry to a BVD free status more quickly and in the meantime creating increased awareness of the need to test for the disease,” he explains. Testing through the initiative costs from £4 to £6 including the tag and testing and vet consultative input, adds Mr Humphries.
“Once calves have been tagged and BVD
samples
analysed the farm’s vet uploads the results to the database, enabling
potential buyers to check an animal’s BVD status by searching for its ear tag number.
“The database will in future be accessible from any smartphone through an App, meaning results can be accessed from anywhere,” says Mr Humphries.
BVD Key Facts
q BVD can result in immunosuppression making infected cattle and in contact cattle more susceptible to other diseases such as pneumonia or scour.
q Cows becoming infected at breeding can result in embryonic death and returns to service.
q Some calves infected towards the end of the fi rst third of pregnancy or beginning of the second third may have congenital abnormalities, such as cataracts or domed heads.
q Bulls can be transiently infected, resulting in reduced fertility and also excreting the virus in their semen, potentially infecting cows they’re serving.
q Most BVD is introduced to herds by PI cattle, either by purchase or from straying cattle.
q Introduction can also occur via shared equipment or personnel moving between farms. The virus can survive in faecal material for several days.
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THE JOURNAL DECEMBER 2014 113
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