Livestock Matters - Winter 2017/18

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE... 3 LIVESTOCK MATTERS X LVETS NEWS What is BVDFree England? BVDFree is a voluntary industry-led scheme driving the elimination of BVD in England. The scheme is based on helping farmers to identify if their herd may be infected with BVD. Farms can eliminate BVD virus infection by identifying and removing animals persistently infected (PIs) with BVD virus. All herds should take action to minimise the risk of breaking down with BVD. The BVDFree database is a searchable data- base which holds details of the BVD status of individual animals and of the herds signed up to BVDFree. How do I find out my test results? Your laboratory will send you a copy of all your test results. When you join BVDFree you agree to report all BVD testing results from your herd to the national database. Your laboratory will upload your results to the BVDFree database automatically provided the samples were sent in on a BVDFree submission form. Herd BVD status and individual animal BVD status are openly accessible through the BVDFree database search function on the home page. No specific details of farm name or keeper are shown. What is the difference between herd and individual animal status? Individual animal status is assigned when an animal is tested for BVD virus under the scheme. This will be visible on the database once it has been uploaded by the designated laboratory. These will show as either ‘BVD Virus Test Negative’ or ‘BVD Virus Test Positive’. Herds can apply from 2018 to be assigned a herd status by BVDFree when the herd has completed two consecutive years of negative testing after they become members of the scheme. A herd Test Negative status means there has been no evidence of BVD virus circulating in your herd over the previous 2 years. BVDFree England FAQ SQP of the Year Award! Congratulations to Alice Geddes, Pharmacy Manager at Synergy Farm Health who has won Veterinary Practice SQP (Suitably Qualified Person) of the year at the National SQP Awards in November. Alice has been with Synergy Farm Health for four years and has recently obtained an MSc in Veterinary Pharmacy with Harper Adams University. As part of her MSc, Alice completed a research project on ‘Measuring Wormer Gun Accuracy’ alongside Emily Gascoigne, and has since presented this. Alice is a farmer’s daughter and leads a busy and highly skilled Pharmacy Team at Synergy Farm Health in Evershot, Dorset. The National SQP Awards 2017 were held in London and 12 awards were handed out to those who had demonstrated innovation and excellence in their fields.