BVD figures on the ground

bob charles

How are people faring, is it as bad as I was thinking?

Our % positive are a joke

reilig

bob charles wrote: »

How are people faring, is it as bad as I was thinking?

Our % positive are a joke

None last year and none this year so far. We had been vaccinating against it for the last 5 years. I don't know if it helped or not, but I'd like to think it was worth the investment.

vanderbadger

none so far thank god, 2 samples off this morning and only 3 to go after that. no vaccinations but to be fair i rarely buy cattle except maybe a bull and odd cow (only 2 cows in the last 4 or 5 years) so id say its more down to that then anything

49801

Apparently only 1 in 10 of retested animals are failing the retest.

bogman_bass

al negitive last year and so far this year.
nothing vacinated but not much stock bought in

KatyMac

same here. None last year, and nothing so far this year. I don't buy in many any more either.

just do it

bogman_bass wrote: »

al negitive last year and so far this year.
nothing vacinated but not much stock bought in

+1. Will be more comfortable buying in stock born after 1st jan as well.

Bob - maybe the high level of positives you hinted at goes some way to explaining your mortality rate occasionally eluded to.

bob charles

just do it wrote: »

+1. Will be more comfortable buying in stock born after 1st jan as well.

Bob - maybe the high level of positives you hinted at goes some way to explaining your mortality rate occasionally eluded to.

I would assume so. but we have very little deaths pneumonia / lung related. anything then that calves here unexpectedly probably has being in contact with a PI during gestation. or else they were sold as they were breeding PI calves, or cows that hadnt gone back in calf due to BVD issues unknown to the last farmer so they sold them on. Just sick sh*te of having to shoot them

reilig

bob charles wrote: »

I would assume so. but we have very little deaths pneumonia / lung related. anything then that calves here unexpectedly probably has being in contact with a PI during gestation. or else they were sold as they were breeding PI calves, or cows that hadnt gone back in calf due to BVD issues unknown to the last farmer so they sold them on. Just sick sh*te of having to shoot them

My inlaws had an 18 month bullock with it last year. He had no pnumonia or lung problems, but he put on a lot of condition up to 12 months old and lost it again over the next 6 months to almost the point of death before he was tested (Smart Vet convinced my inlaws that he couldn't be a PI until I got him tested). So it could be a factor in animal thrive and could set animals back a bit.
As you say, it could also be a PI or even a TI which got among the cows during gestation.

It's a hateful job to have to put down any animal.

kevthegaff

bvd came up in my bulk sample last year out of 85 cows, so im expecting a case or two. i have been clear so far after 30:)

PMU

bulk samples only show anti-bodies,that could be from the vaccination. i wouldnt worry yet

kevthegaff

PMU wrote: »

bulk samples only show anti-bodies,that could be from the vaccination. i wouldnt worry yet

i didnt vaccinate but id say i have it, bought 80 cows from different farms 4 yrs ago

maxxuumman

Had one last year, but nothing so far. 2/3 tested. Don't vaccinate.

1chippy

No pi's thank god. we dont vaccinate and bought a lot of animals in. only 13 left to calve. is it unlucky or lucky for some they say.

whelan1

so dod anyone who does vaccinate get a positive? we dont i had 1 positive last year

mahoney_j

75% of cows calved and all calves negative,100% clear last year.Id be shocked if i got a pi as ive been screening milk 4 times a year for last 3 years and vaccinating for at least the last 6 years.Dont buy in anything either and thats a big help,really hope they start going after ibr and johnes next,Jonnes in praticular could be a catastrophic disease if it took hold here especially with the links to chromes disease in humans and also there is no vaccination against it

just do it

mahoney_j wrote: »

75% of cows calved and all calves negative,100% clear last year.Id be shocked if i got a pi as ive been screening milk 4 times a year for last 3 years and vaccinating for at least the last 6 years.Dont buy in anything either and thats a big help,really hope they start going after ibr and johnes next,Jonnes in praticular could be a catastrophic disease if it took hold here especially with the links to chromes disease in humans and also there is no vaccination against it

Trickier ones to sort and BVD isn't eradicated yet!

bloodandguts

We joined the voluntary scheme last year and got the all clear so were pretty confident this year, we breed all our own replacements, but 10th calf on the ground came up positive.
Test result(value) 1.5674
Does anyone know if there is any chance of a mistake, the vet is on the way to test the calf again and we'll test the mother AND grandmother at the same time.
Fingers crossed it doesn't turn into a complete disaster

1quinner

Tested all my calves last year with enfer. All came back negative, so far this year all negative. But a weanling bull 13 months has now tested positive after i noticed it sick. It has failed 2 subsequent tests which makes it a PI. Negative as a calf and now a PI does not add up. Any one with a similar situation.

greysides

http://www.animalhealthireland.ie/page.php?id=16


Summary BVD Test Data for 2013

Updated to 02.04.2013

Samples Tested: 1,016,162

Negative: 97.94%

Positive: 0.93%

Inconclusive: 0.06%

Empty: 1.07%

whelan1

greysides wrote: »

http://www.animalhealthireland.ie/page.php?id=16


Summary BVD Test Data for 2013

Updated to 02.04.2013

Samples Tested: 1,016,162

Negative: 97.94%

Positive: 0.93%

Inconclusive: 0.06%

Empty: 1.07%

i probably made up a good few of the empty ones:D

pakalasa

I wonder will there be a dramatic improvement in health, when even the first round of PI's are taken out. Like will the national % mortality rate for older cattle drop back a lot.

bob charles

greysides wrote: »

http://www.animalhealthireland.ie/page.php?id=16


Summary BVD Test Data for 2013

Updated to 02.04.2013

Samples Tested: 1,016,162

Negative: 97.94%

Positive: 0.93%

Inconclusive: 0.06%

Empty: 1.07%

how many positives wouldnt be reported, i know it shouldnt happen but does

bob charles

pakalasa wrote: »

I wonder will there be a dramatic improvement in health, when even the first round of PI's are taken out. Like will the national % mortality rate for older cattle drop back a lot.

an improvement but not dramatic, something new is probably just around the corner to pick up the slack:rolleyes:

reilig

bob charles wrote: »

how many positives wouldnt be reported, i know it shouldnt happen but does

But if your calf is tested positive, isn't it reported - you won't be able to move him until he is clear??

yellow50HX

reilig wrote: »

But if your calf is tested positive, isn't it reported - you won't be able to move him until he is clear??

after how many tests though?

was chatting to a neighbour over the weekend, he had a couple of calves positive and they were positive on the retest. blood tested the the cows and calves and they all passed. between, tags, new tags, testing, postage, vet fees and more testing he reckons he's out about €150. he has another 30 cows to calf.

my cynicsm on the whole thing is still alive and well, this could turn into a very nice earner for the dept, and all goverments love nice little earners.

had the 1st 2 lots of calves tested clear so fingers crossed on the rest. Will be intresting to see what the rates will be like next year.

has there been any comparion of BVD rates from the volentry groups results year on year?

whelan1

yellow50HX wrote: »

after how many tests though?

was chatting to a neighbour over the weekend, he had a couple of calves positive and they were positive on the retest. blood tested the the cows and calves and they all passed. between, tags, new tags, testing, postage, vet fees and more testing he reckons he's out about €150. he has another 30 cows to calf.

my cynicsm on the whole thing is still alive and well, this could turn into a very nice earner for the dept, and all goverments love nice little earners.

had the 1st 2 lots of calves tested clear so fingers crossed on the rest. Will be intresting to see what the rates will be like next year.

has there been any comparion of BVD rates from the volentry groups results year on year?

i did the scheme last year, i had 1 positive and my dad had 1 positive, both clear so far this year..... to retest it costs around 3 euro for a bvd tag, then the postage cant see where it could cost 150 euro, surely no one is going to get a vet to call out to blood test one animal for bvd... i thought ahi was over the scheme not the department

yellow50HX

whelan1 wrote: »

i did the scheme last year, i had 1 positive and my dad had 1 positive, both clear so far this year..... to retest it costs around 3 euro for a bvd tag, then the postage cant see where it could cost 150 euro, surely no one is going to get a vet to call out to blood test one animal for bvd... i thought ahi was over the scheme not the department

IHA stakeholders, plenty of goverment involement.

Government

Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food

Processing and Marketing

AIBP
Bord Bia
Carbery Group
Connacht Gold
Dairygold
Dawn Meats
Glanbia
Kerry Group
Lakeland Dairies
Arrabawn Co-op
Kepak Group
Tipperary Cooperative
Wexford Milk Producers


Farmers’ Associations and Livestock Marts

Cork Cooperative Marts Ltd
Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA)
Irish Cooperative Organisation Society (ICOS)
Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA)
Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA)
Macra na Feirme

Service Providers

Irish Cattle Breeders’ Federation (ICBF)
Teagasc
University College Dublin
Veterinary Ireland

Breed Societies

Irish Holstein Friesian Association
Pedigree Cattle Breeders Council of Ireland









StakeholdersBoard Members
Management
the suckler cow welfare scheme was supposed to promote improvments in the national herd but they werent long slashing that when it became too poular. the irsh sugar beet industry was actually profitable but the goverment werent slow in killing that either when the value of the factorys land and the compo they and greencore got from the EU was nice and juicy. and it looks like the forestry industry in ireland will soon be heading the same way.

unfortunely we are in the mddle of the consquenaces of years of goverment shortsightness, incompenace and greed which has effects most industrys in the country. Agriculture and SME's are trying hard to fight back but with out proper leadership i cant see much change. and it dosent look like FG/Lab are much better then the FF/PD/green lot. too much focus of short term thinking and looking after themselves.

Rant over..... (i have come to treat most goverment led or sponsored schemes with a high degree of suspision)

whelan1

i dont understand, why would you be against a scheme that gets rid of bvd?????????????? its just beyond me, but each to their own

reilig

It's perfectly legit to have calves test positive for bvd, but cows not. Calves could also be TI's when tested and then be clear. It would just mean that the farmer could have 1 or more animals throughout his herd that is a PI and infecting everything else. In any case, €150 is a small amount to pay. An article in the Independent last year suggested that a PI in a 50 suckler cow herd could cost a farmer up to €10,000 in 1 year if it was uncontrolled through losses, vet bills, medicine bills, infertility and poor performance.

No matter who is running it, I think it's a great scheme that farmers should embrace. It's obvious that the Dep of Ag have little or no hand in it. There are a variety of testers throughout the country instead of a monopoly like the cattle tags and costs per test are pretty reasonable.

The alternative to this is to have a clogged up, backward and monopolised scheme similar to TB testing run by vets - would you prefer this?

Or is it a case that you believe that there is no need for such a scheme?

yellow50HX wrote: »

after how many tests though?

was chatting to a neighbour over the weekend, he had a couple of calves positive and they were positive on the retest. blood tested the the cows and calves and they all passed. between, tags, new tags, testing, postage, vet fees and more testing he reckons he's out about €150. he has another 30 cows to calf.

my cynicsm on the whole thing is still alive and well, this could turn into a very nice earner for the dept, and all goverments love nice little earners.

had the 1st 2 lots of calves tested clear so fingers crossed on the rest. Will be intresting to see what the rates will be like next year.

has there been any comparion of BVD rates from the volentry groups results year on year?

Dampintheattic

yellow50HX wrote: »

IHA stakeholders, plenty of goverment involement.


Rant over..... (i have come to treat most goverment led or sponsored schemes with a high degree of suspision)

Suppose you are declining to take the farm subsidies and grants, as they too have government involvement. :rolleyes:

yellow50HX

reilig wrote: »

The alternative to this is to have a clogged up, backward and monopolised scheme similar to TB testing run by vets - would you prefer this?

my worry is that this is excatly what will happen.

i was on the continent with work recently and got to talking to a few local lads from farming backgrounds. The subject of BVD came up and i told them of "irish solution" they were all very sceptial that it would work. most vacinate for BVD and reckon we will end up gping back to doing this after the scheme has finished.

yellow50HX

Dampintheattic wrote: »

Suppose you are declining to take the farm subsidies and grants, as they too have government involvement. :rolleyes:

have noticed that a lot of these schemes arent long getting reduced once they are started. some are very worthwhile and certainly have a place such as reps 4. i didnt think the previous versions were of much benifet to our suitutuion (but every situtuion is different).

The farm waste management grant was an excellant idea and has made a huge difference to farm infrastrucre accross the country ( i know of several farmers that would not still be farming without it), but again it was threatened with reduction before it was finished and many farmers got caught when the goal posts shifted (i wasnt effected either way in case your wondering).

dont have a much of an opionion on the spf as i started farming after the reference years so didnt have one to start with. Farm i'm renting was a dairy farm back then and the farmer had it all in grassland so did not have much entiliments to build up. i think he is getting a few hundred euro, either way its not much. so all the chat about the new CAP is intresting for me as i'm not even sure how it worked in the 1st place.

yellow50HX

whelan1 wrote: »

i dont understand, why would you be against a scheme that gets rid of bvd?????????????? its just beyond me, but each to their own

im not sure it'll do that. Rellig mentioned about the TB testing and i reckon the BVD will end up going the same route

whelan1

theres still johnes which imo is much worse than bvd... if they can eradicate as much bvd as possible now can you not see that in the future the cases will be minnimal...

bob charles

reilig wrote: »

But if your calf is tested positive, isn't it reported - you won't be able to move him until he is clear??

do you reckon everyone is testing the calves that are born dead or die within the first few days of life? I would think not

yellow50HX

whelan1 wrote: »

theres still johnes which imo is much worse than bvd... if they can eradicate as much bvd as possible now can you not see that in the future the cases will be minnimal...

we'll see if there will be a major improvment in the BVD count in a few years time. i cant see it being eradicated in that short a period

yellow50HX

bob charles wrote: »

do you reckon everyone is testing the calves that are born dead or die within the first few days of life? I would think not

can you test a dead calf for it?

still have to tag dead calves so i suppose the sample can still be taken and tested. but what of the result? would the cow need to be tested if the calf was positive its not like you can retest the calf.

whelan1

yellow50HX wrote: »

can you test a dead calf for it?

still have to tag dead calves so i suppose the sample can still be taken and tested. but what of the result? would the cow need to be tested if the calf was positive its not like you can retest the calf.

yes you test the mother if there is a problem with the calf

just do it

yellow50HX wrote: »

so all the chat about the new CAP is intresting for me as i'm not even sure how it worked in the 1st place.

Well it looks like 2012 will be the new reference year for ireland so you may have the opportunity to get sfp in the future under the new cap. Worth your while investigating it.


Regarding BVD, they've eradicated it in other countries and this scheme is based on what was done elsewhere. We've eradicated brucellosis here you know!

blue5000

just do it wrote: »

Well it looks like 2012 will be the new reference year for ireland so you may have the opportunity to get sfp in the future under the new cap. Worth your while investigating it.


Regarding BVD, they've eradicated it in other countries and this scheme is based on what was done elsewhere. We've eradicated brucellosis here you know!

Ya twice! Think there is still a problem with it in the north.

yellow50HX

blue5000 wrote: »

Ya twice! Think there is still a problem with it in the north.

and yet we are still testing for it

whelan1

rather than nit picking at the scheme would you not just get on with it and see what happens, brucellosis is a different kettle of fish altogether....

reilig

bob charles wrote: »

do you reckon everyone is testing the calves that are born dead or die within the first few days of life? I would think not

I doubt they are. With the scws gone there is no incentive for farmers to register a dead calf, pay for tags and pay knackery deep.

But at least if the calf is dead he's not walking around infecting every animal within 50 yards of it. Bvd calves won't die at birth or in the first 6 months in 99% of cases because anti-bodies from cows milk will keep them healthy. It's only when weined that they will start to be sick.

reilig

yellow50HX wrote: »

and yet we are still testing for it

I am horrified that you are so lax about bvd. I see is as a major threat - something which we as farmers can control the spread of, unlike tb or brucelosis. But if everyone doesn't do it it's a waste of time. Glad you're not living across the hedge from me. (No offence)

pakalasa

I sent in tags recently. My cards came back the following day. But on the first day , I went to pay on-line (with Enfer) and it wouldn't take payment, as I had old pre-pay account. So they tested my samples before I paid for them.
Am I being very cynical? I have to say Enfers service is great by the way.

whelan1

pakalasa wrote: »

I sent in tags recently. My cards came back the following day. But on the first day , I went to pay on-line (with Enfer) and it wouldn't take payment, as I had old pre-pay account. So they tested my samples before I paid for them.
Am I being very cynical? I have to say Enfers service is great by the way.

my da has the prepay account- i use enfer through glanbia for mine- they rang him last week when we sent in a sample that he hadnt enough money left on his account, we didnt get the results until payment cleared

yellow50HX

reilig wrote: »

I am horrified that you are so lax about bvd. I see is as a major threat - something which we as farmers can control the spread of, unlike tb or brucelosis. But if everyone doesn't do it it's a waste of time. Glad you're not living across the hedge from me. (No offence)

none taken

yellow50HX

whelan1 wrote: »

rather than nit picking at the scheme would you not just get on with it and see what happens, brucellosis is a different kettle of fish altogether....

have no choice but to get on with it.

just do it

pakalasa wrote: »

I sent in tags recently. My cards came back the following day. But on the first day , I went to pay on-line (with Enfer) and it wouldn't take payment, as I had old pre-pay account. So they tested my samples before I paid for them.
Am I being very cynical? I have to say Enfers service is great by the way.

Are you questioning whether they tested it or not? I think they're good at being a lab and maybe not so good on the accounts side of things. I got a call at the end of last year telling me I still hadn't paid for one sample a few months after I'd finished sending samples!

bob charles

reilig wrote: »

But at least if the calf is dead he's not walking around infecting every animal within 50 yards of it. Bvd calves won't die at birth or in the first 6 months in 99% of cases because anti-bodies from cows milk will keep them healthy. It's only when weined that they will start to be sick.

not in my experience, once they hit the ground they are liable to die from day one