Livestock


Bold plan aims to eradicate BVD and


sheep scab by 2031 • Goal to eliminate two key diseases • Benefits across all four UK nations • Big help for beef and sheep sectors


T


he livestock industry has set out bold ambitions to eradicate two key livestock diseases with-


in 10 years. Plans to eliminate sheep scab and


Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) by 2031 were announced by the Ruminant Health and Welfare (RH&W) group after more than 70 farmers, vets and other industry stakeholders attended an online workshop. RH&W chair Nigel Miller said set- ting the eradication target underlined the determination of participants to create a new high-health environment across the UK. It would elevate animal welfare and help to secure export mar- kets, he said.


Extraordinary change “We need this health platform to ele- vate animal welfare and play a part in securing export markets,” said Mr Miller. “We are going into a period of extraordinary change; we have got to push back on the accepted boundaries of health and production. “World class economic efficien- cy and the building pressures of low carbon production demand a higher national flock and herd health status. Mapping out clear change targets is a vital step to secure that goal.” Sheep scab is now endemic in the national flock. It affects 10-15% of farms with some 8,000 outbreaks each year costing up to £202 million. The disease was one of the most popular topics selected for debate. Stewart Burgess, from the More-


dun Research Institute, said a new vac- cine would help. But interim goals like notifiable or reportable status would create a traceable, sustainable frame- work for success.


“The reality is that there are im- minent threats and the status quo is


not working, Modelling studies have shown that focussing control on dis- ease hotspots not only makes gains in those targeted areas, but can also have a significant impact on sheep na- tionwide.”


The sheep scab ELISA blood test


had potential to be a real game chang- er, said Dr Burgess.


“It can detect scab in the first two weeks of infestation and before clini- cal signs – a new version is in devel- opment and will offer on-farm results in under 20 minutes for less than £5.” A future vaccine was also under de- velopment at Moredun. “In its current form it has up to 80% efficacy and will offer sustainable control of scab.” Kate Hovers, from the Wales Vet- erinary Science Centre, said disease control schemes and health certifica- tion would benefit the sector – both in controlling disease and offering a pre- mium for certified stock.


Mandatory controls BVD eradication, another priority for the group, is already in progress through different statutory and vol- untary efforts in each UK nation. In- troducing mandatory control will be the next step with co-ordinated mes- saging and approaches. Sam Strain, chief executive at Animal Health and Welfare North- ern Ireland (AHWNI), was heavily involved in establishing a compulso- ry BVD programme – and strongly ad- vised that legislation was critical for eradication.


Re-engagement was high on the list of interim goals. “Any control pro- gramme needs to have co-ordinated messages between the four nations – being cognisant of international re- quirements such as the EU Animal Health Law.


Thousands raised for Bulls Out for Cancer


B


eef and dairy farmers have raised over £1,000 for testicular cancer – while improving their herd genetics as part of Breedr’s Bulls Out for


Cancer campaign. It coincides with the launch of new breeding


reports in the free app – which align with AHDB Key Performance Indicators and help beef producers identify the best genetics to improve their herd. “We’re encouraging farmers to log when they turn


their bulls out with the cow – and when females are bulling – so the app can generate alerts for returning cows and calving dates,” explains Suzy Wheal, co- founder of Breedr. “By inputting simple data like that, as well as the


sires, dams, calving ease and weaning weights, the app can automatically generate reports showing which bloodlines produce the best calves, whether that’s as replacements or for finishing.” For every bull logged in the app in May, June and


July, Breedr donated £10 to the OddBalls Foundation. An extra 10p was added for each bulling activity or artificial insemination added.


Share photos and videos Farmers who share their photos or video on Twitter with the hashtag #BullsOutForCancer earned another £1 for the charity. The campaign aims to raise £5,000 for the OddBalls Foundation. “Around 2,300 men are diagnosed with testicular


cancer each year, and the OddBalls Foundation is all about raising awareness and getting men to check themselves regularly,” said Ms Wheal. “Healthy balls are vital to farmers, whether that’s


their own or their bulls’ – they’re clearly a vital part of any breeding system.”


AUGUST 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 31


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48