Livestock
Bold plans 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
es within 10 years. T Plans to eliminate sheep scab and
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) by 2031 were announced following a Rumi- nant Health and Welfare (RH&W) workshop attended by more than 70 farmers, vets, researchers and indus- try stakeholders from across the UK. 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 four nations. It would ele- vate animal welfare and help to secure export markets.
Extraordinary change “We need this health platform to ele- vate animal welfare and play a part in securing export markets,” saod Mr Miller. “We are going into a period of extraordinary change; we have got to be willing 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, now endemic in the national flock and affecting 10-15% of farms with about 8,000 outbreaks each year costing up to £202 million, was one of the most popular topics se- lected 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
he livestock industry has set out bold ambitions to eradi- cate two key livestock diseas-
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
was a real game changer, said Dr Bur- gess.
“It can detect scab in the first two weeks of infestation and before clini- cal signs – a new version is in develop- ment and would 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 Veter- inary Science Centre, said disease con- trol schemes and health certification for scab offered benefits throughout the sector – both in controlling disease and offering a premium 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 NI’s compul- sory BVD programme, and strongly advised 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
Cancer campaign. It coincides with the launch of new breeding
B
reports in the free app, which align with AHDB Key Performance Indicators, helping farmers to identify the best genetics for continual herd improvement. “We’re encouraging farmers to log when they turn
their bulls out with the cows, and when females are bulling so that 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 is donating £10 to the OddBalls Foundation. An extra 10p is 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 will earn 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 • ANGLIA FARMER 53
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
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