Livestock Matters - Autumn 2016

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X LVETS NEWS
AUTUMN 2016 ISSUE LIVESTOCK MATTERS 4
Did you know that every day an animal
persistently infected with BVD (bovine viral
diarrhoea virus) stays on your farm, you are
losing money through reduced fertility and
poor growth rates?
BVD is a highly contagious viral disease of
cattle. Finding and removing BVD from your
herd will mean an end to the direct costs
associated with BVD infection, such as poor
fertility, ill-thrift and poor production. BVD
also causes immune suppression, increasing
the chance and severity of secondary
diseases, such as pneumonia and scours.
The BVDFree England Scheme launched on
1st July. This is the first national scheme in
England, with the aim of eliminating BVD
from all cattle herds by 2022.
The Scheme uses a simple four step
approach to achieve this objective, using
the ‘ADAM’ principles:
● Assess the level of biosecurity and
disease risk on your farm,
● Define the BVD status of your herd,
● Act to remove BVD from your farm
and/or to make sure you stay free
● Monitor progress with an annual status
check.
Once your herd/individual animals have
been tested, those test results will be
uploaded onto the BVDFree database. The
negative BVD status of your animals is
displayed on the database, so you can
promote this when trading. You can also
check the BVD status of animals before you
buy any new stock, so you don’t bring BVD
back to spread infection to your herd.
Joining all the other farmers in the scheme
and working to achieve BVD free status
means your herd will be recognised as
BVDFree; a great way to differentiate
yourself in the marketplace.
To join, please visit the website
and click on
‘Join the scheme’
XLVets are fully supporting the elimination of
BVD from all cattle herds in England.
For more information on BVD and the
benefits of eliminating BVD through BVDFree
please contact your veterinary practice
or speak to your vet next time they are out
on farm.
You can also visit or follow
@BVDFree England on Twitter.
BVDFree England Update -
Scheme launched on
1st July
Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer Sheila
Voas recently visited Northvet as part of
her fact finding tour of the Highlands and
Islands.
Sheila said she was impressed with the
proactive approach that Northvet was
taking towards animal health and welfare.
She is pictured with myself and Bob
Norquay having received her Northvet
“Toorie” which all FarmSkills attendees are
presented with.
Andy Cant, Northvet Veterinary Group
L-R Andy Cant, Sheila Voas and Bob Norquay
Scotland’s Chief Veterinary
Officer visits Northvet