Animal Health and Welfare NI (AHWNI) has highlighted the “horrendous” costs that farmers face after their herd gets infected with Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD).
AHWNI spoke to a farmer who wanted to talk about the costs that BVD infection has brought to his suckler enterprise.
The herd owner, who wished to remain anonymous, lost more than a dozen calves this season and believes that the most likely source of infection is a neighbouring herd.
AHWNI said that “the sight of strong and healthy calves that have had to be culled is shocking”.
The calves were housed in isolation when BVD positive results came through and, following blood samples that confirmed the disease, culling of the calves was arranged promptly.
The costs have totalled £32 per calf, and these costs are in addition to the loss of calves that might have been worth £250 to £300 each if they had not been infected with BVD, said AHWNI.
A decision has also been made to vaccinate the herd, at a further cost of over £1,000 this year.
AHWNI said: “Financial costs are not the only toll in this type of situation – there is farmer time involved which is not always counted, and the quandary over how to deal with suckler cows that no longer have a calf.
“Not only that, but the loss of income from these cows for the year and having to witness calves being put down on-farm is emotionally draining for the farmer, stockpersons and the wider family.”
Taking action on BVD
There are plans in place to roll out herd restrictions next year in cases where BVD positive animals are being retained.
However, the AHWNI has said that this measure on its own is inadequate in terms of stamping out the disease.
“Currently, DAERA (the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) does not inform farmers of BVD infection in neighbouring herds, as new legislation is required to allow this,” AHWNI said.
“Industry through the BVD Implementation Group has been calling for legislation to incorporate biosecurity notifications in addition to other measures that would accelerate progress towards the eradication of BVD,” it concluded.
