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F A R M S K I L L S
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
16
WINTER 2012 ISSUE
Controlling BVD has been on
the agenda for many farmers for
a number of years and as our
Summer Livestock Matters issue
showed, in addition to the
compulsory testing programme
in Scotland, plenty of regionally
led programmes and initiatives
have taken place.
However, a new DEFRA and EU funded
RDPE delivery programme, managed by the
AHDB and run by us here at XLVets, seeks
to implement a co-ordinated campaign
across England, working with vets in
practice, and using materials developed
by the Royal Veterinary College.
The new programme will seek to improve
returns for beef and dairy farmers in
England through knowledge transfer
activities and targeted herd screening
for BVD. Small, regionally based groups
to control BVD will be established and
spread across the country to help spread
knowledge and understanding in as wide
an area as possible. The learning and
results from this programme will be used
to contribute to the national BVD control
strategy for England, being developed
along with the project by the Cattle Health
and Welfare Group for England
and Wales.
Vet Jonathan Statham said: ‘It is calculated
that the impact of BVD can cost the
average UK dairy farmer around 15-50%
reduction in farm income if left
uncontrolled and cost the average beef
farmer around £37/cow/year i.e. 100
cow herd loses £3,700/year or £37,000
over 10 years. However, it’s really hard to
tell that BVD is in your herd as many of the
side effects associated with the virus could
be blamed on other factors. But by
working together as a community, testing
for BVD, assessing what impact the virus
might have had to date and discussing
with each other what steps can be taken,
we can help stem these losses, improve
animal health and welfare and hopefully
increase profits too.’
To get involved in BVD control,
please speak to your farm vet, or
call us on 01765 608489.
Controlling BVD