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F A R M S K I L L S
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
16
WINTER 2013/2014
now at a stage where there are no PI animals
present within the herd, but the risk period isn't
over just yet.
As the whole herd has been exposed to
BVD any one of the pregnant cows could be
carrying PI calves still to be born. So for the
next year there is a high chance that a cow
could give birth to a PI. In this case early
testing and removal of any PI's is essential.
Due to the inconvenience and demands of
continuing to blood sample many calves,
the Baul family decided to use a BVD ear
tag tissue test. This meant all calves were
tagged shortly after birth, as they normally
would be, but now a small tissue sample
would be collected and sent away to be
tested for BVD.
As the Baul family recognise the huge impact
of BVD, it was very important to them to
eradicate BVD from the herd. Through
routine testing and therefore knowing their
BVD status they were able to act quickly
when circulating BVD was demonstrated.
Knowing your BVD status and regular
surveillance is essential on every farm
allowing you to decide whether monitoring
and biosecurity or testing and eradicating
are your main priorities.
Moving forward the Baul family continue
to use an ear tag tissue test for BVD, at least
for a year after the last PI was removed.
They are continuing to implement a strict
vaccination protocol and for added protection
they are trying to avoid grazing bulling and
in calf heifers in perimeter fields next to
neighbouring cattle, due to their potential
risk for producing PIs. As an additional
step double fencing is being considered.
Industry stakeholders from the NFU,
Breed Societies, Livestock Auctioneers,
Universities, Levy Bodies, pharmaceutical
and testing companies are coming
together to define and develop a
national BVD control strategy for
England. To help form this strategy, an
RDPE programme is running, which XLVets
Training Services are helping to lead, to
share consistent messages about BVD
control with vets, farmers, industry
advisors and field staff and to start to
map the occurrence of BVD across the
country using consistent processes.
A wider programme evaluating the
variety of schemes already in place is
also running through the Royal Veterinary
College to help share knowledge
across regions and countries to ensure
the English scheme which develops
is effective in meeting the needs of
the industry.
For more information, talk to your
farm vet, or check out the dedicated
website:
www.bvdcontrol.co.uk
BVD-Free England