Many of you have probably been hearing from your Vet recently with the results of your BVD bulk tank monitoring tests; check with your local Anexa Vet if you are not sure when your herd is due for testing this season.

Don’t forget the calves 

Remember though that BVD testing should not stop at the bulk tank. All calves being reared should be tested for BVD at an early age so that any positive cases can be identified and dealt with before they have a chance to create a bigger problem (i.e. infect cows during mating/pregnancy). Sometimes a rogue PI (persistently infected) calf is found on a farm and we just cannot explain how the infection entered the herd. While we may not be able to explain exactly how the breakdown happened, at least by testing at an early stage, we are able to limit the damage caused.

Test at calf vaccination time 

Many of you have already had your calves tested for BVD by ear notching at disbudding. If you haven’t, don’t worry, IT IS NOT TOO LATE. We can still ear notch those calves when we come out to do their calf vaccinations. There are a couple of options around prices, depending on where you need the information stored, so talk to your local clinic to work out the best choice for you.

As well as lepto and blackleg (6-in-1) vaccinations, it is a really good idea to do BVD vaccinations before calves leave the farm to go grazing. This will protect these valuable animals and reduce the chances of a ‘Trojan Heifer’ bringing a PI calf onto the farm next season. Talk to us now to make a plan early, so that all the vaccinations can be done at the optimum time.

We have many discussions with our farmers relating to BVD results….some good, some not so good and some can seem just down right confusing! Let’s keep life simple and get into the habit of BVD testing and vaccinating those calves as part of your annual programme.