Pilot project to combat the growing threat of BVD

It is thought that many herds are suffering from Bovine Viral Diarrhoea without their owners even being aware, because some infections may not show up in obvious symptoms.

But the cattle suffer low-level effects on their digestive and respiratory systems and become less resistant to other illnesses, which all adds up to below-optimum performance in weight gain, fertility and milk production.

The Scottish government launched a BVD eradication programme at the end of 2010 and it is feared that English farmers might start to run into trading difficulties if steps are not taken to manage the problem. The North Yorkshire programme so far involves 20 farms in the Ripon and Nidderdale areas – 10 dairy and 10 running beef sucklers – working with vets to find the most cost-effective and practical ways to tackle it, including culling and vaccination.

The 12-month programme they are involved in has been organised by the industry levy bodies EBLEX and DairyCo in partnership with RAFT Solutions, an offshoot of the Bishopton Veterinary Group, Ripon.

The pilot project involves education in BVD and herd screening for it. The lessons from the project will be taken across North Yorkshire and then further afield.

Vet and project leader Jonathan Statham said: “It is calculated that the impact of BVD can cost the average UK dairy farmer around a 15-50 per cent reduction in farm income if left uncontrolled and cost the average beef farmer around £37 a cow a year.

“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. By working together, 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 losses, improve animal health and welfare and hopefully increase profits too.”

Steve Dunkley, regional manager for EBLEX, said that more than 90 per cent of the UK dairy and beef herd have had exposure to BVD.

For more information contact Sophie Throup at RAFT Solutions Ltd: 07854 063384.