Basic HTML Version
X LVETS NEWS
3
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
WORKING
TOGETHER
FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE...
XLVets launches
a calf testing
initiative to offer a significant step
forward in UK-wide BVD control
Nationwide eradication of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) - one of the most
profit-draining infectious diseases of cattle - moved a significant step closer
with the launch of a new calf testing and monitoring scheme at Beef Expo.
Visitors to the XLVets stand at the event were
given the opportunity to learn about the scheme
and how it could benefit them in the control
and removal of BVD infection on their farms.
The animal health seminar at Beef Expo also
generated a lot of interest and there was a
good attendance from farmers and industry
people on the day. Jenny Hull from XLVets
Alnorthumbria Veterinary Group provided an
excellent update on BVD in this seminar
session; including looking at how the disease
spreads, and how it can be identified and
controlled. Jenny also provided an update on
some of the activities that have taken place
in England in tackling this costly disease and
gave an overview of the new XLVets BVD Free
initiative, which incorporates CHECK TAG BVD.
With essential critical mass from the outset
provided through the 53-strong UK-wide group
of XLVets veterinary practices, CHECK TAG
BVD will promote the testing of calves and
provide verification of a negative test result
for the disease through a central and fully
accessible online database. CHECK TAG
BVD is simple to use; a sample is taken during
the normal tagging of new-born calves, or
alternatively pre-movement.
Significantly, the scheme will include the use
of branded white tags as part of the testing
procedure in order to provide an easily
identifiable and highly visible prompt for calf
buyers to check test results before purchase.
As Dan Humphries of member practice
Lambert, Leonard and May explains, the main
aims of CHECK TAG BVD is to improve the
identification of source farms and reduce the
risks of persistently infected (PI) calves moving
from unit to unit, thereby stemming the spread
of the disease.
‘BVD is primarily spread by PIs, which are
calves born from cows that are infected with
BVD,’ says Dan. ‘These PI calves often appear
normal but will spread infection to other cattle
that they come into contact with. It’s therefore
critical that we remove these animals from the
breeding herd and also ensure that they are
not sold into other herds.
‘By identifying PIs, ideally shortly after birth and
certainly before they move from their home unit,
we can minimise the spread of BVD and also
offer more targeted control programmes in
herds that are identified as infected.’
The scheme is entirely voluntary with farmers
first having to make the decision to use the
tissue sample testing technology to initiate
the process. The white CHECK TAG BVD tags
are available from a number of tag suppliers,
with tissue analysis either done by the vet
practice or through a central laboratory,
depending on the type of tag used. The cost
is approximately £5-6 per tag, which includes
the laboratory testing.
Once calves have been tagged and tissue
samples analysed, results will be recorded
via the farm’s XLVets practice onto a central
CHECK TAG BVD database;
www.bvdcheck.co.uk. This database - which
is accessible from a computer or smart phone -
will provide verification of all registered calves
testing negative through the scheme.
‘The scheme is effectively being piloted on
a significant scale through XLVets member
practices, but any farmer (not only clients of
XLVets practices) will be able to access the
database from the outset,’ adds Dan. ‘The
ultimate aim is that all practices will have the
option of participating in the scheme, with the
database being hosted independently, thereby
allowing the branded white tag to become a
universal symbol to promote BVD awareness
and prompt positive action to remove PIs.’
Jenny Hull, Alnorthumbria Veterinary Group
Dan Humphries, Lambert, Leonard & May