Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) test results have revealed higher numbers of positive results in dairy herds in the Beragh-Carrickmore area, in south Co. Fermanagh and south of Co. Armagh, according to the Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland (AHWNI).
The rolling 12-month animal level incidence of BVD for the programme was 0.22% at the end of January 2025. However the incidence of BVD at the animal level so far this year in the Armagh Divisional Veterinary Office (DVO) area has been over twice the Northern Ireland average.
AHWNI is encouraging farmers to “be aware and to take action” this grazing season to prevent livestock contacts at boundaries with neighbouring cattle.
This could involve putting either electric or double fencing in place, or by managing grazing alternately in conjunction with neighbouring farmers so as to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
For the first time in the history of the programme, at the start of April no BVD positive cattle have been retained for more than 28 days.
The profile of calf registrations in Northern Ireland has its major peak, with over 50,000 registrations per month, from March to May and a smaller rise is seen from September to November, according to AHWNI.
BVD
The current spring calving season means that the next period of heightened susceptibility for infection of foetuses is likely to be from early to mid-summer, so it is “critical” that efforts are made by herd owners now to reduce virus transmission across boundaries.
From May 1, herd restrictions will be applied if any BVD positive or inconclusive cattle are retained for seven days and will remain in place until three weeks have elapsed after the last positive or inconclusive animal has been culled and all cattle in the herd over 30 days have a negative result.
Farmers who are notified of BVD positive or inconclusive results and decide to cull the animals immediately are advised to notify the deaths to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) promptly.
