Page 14 - Sudeley Angus 2021 ebook

BVD
BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea) is a very important matter that requires some thought about how it
could affect your herd.
BVD can infect any cattle on your farm but it is its effect on pregnant cows and possibly bulls at
mating time that it is of the most concern. BVD infection of cows at mating time or when they are
pregnant can cause a lower conception rate, abortions and birth of abnormal calves. Infection of
bulls can cause them to be infertile, for at least a few weeks. This obviously comes at an associated
financial loss.
BVD is present on a lot of beef farms – in NZ about 65% of farms surveyed had an active infection.
Is it present on your farm? Signs to look out for are a decrease in pregnancy rate and increased
abortions in cows, and increased disease levels and a marked group of tail-enders in young stock.
A noticeable change may occur after the introduction of disease to the herd, or if disease has been
present for a while the effects may go unnoticed. If you want to know whether BVD is in your herd,
you can find out by blood testing 10 – 15 young stock over 12 months of age to see if they have
been exposed. If you have BVD in your herd there are different options as what to do. These need
to be discussed in depth with your vet.
Every farmer, even if you do or don’t know the BVD status of your herd, should take a couple of
simple steps to reduce/prevent the risks of BVD. These steps consist of ensuring that no BVD
infected animals are bought on to your property, and always insisting that purchased bulls are blood
tested and vaccinated. If in doubt, ask for a certificate stating that the animals have tested negative
and vaccinated.
All bulls have been BVD blood tested negative and have been vaccinated twice with Bovillis BVD.

BIDR®

This sale will be hosted by bidr® (www.bidr.co.nz) as a HYBRID auction, with online bidding and
a live-stream available on sale day, as well as the normal on-farm format. All intending ONLINE
purchasers must register on bidr® in advance of the sale date, by visiting the website and using the
“sign up” button, adding their contact information and nominating the agency they would like to
purchase through and account held with that agency. Alternatively, purchasers can organise an agent
from one of the agencies listed on bidr® to buy on their behalf. The bidr® team is always available
to help purchasers get signed up and registered, and the HelpDesk is proudly managed in-house
from the Waikato. Please call 0800 TO BIDR (0800 86 2437), or email enquiries@bidr.co.nz for
assistance at any point.

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