Keeping BVD At Bay
These producers share how they’ve focused on biosecurity practices to control BVD virus in their herds.
Matador Ranches, Eureka, Kansas
Matador Ranches has cow-calf and stocker operations in Texas, Montana, and Kansas. Manager James Palmer relayed that they have been testing for BVD in their Kansas operation since 2004. He said a drop in conception rates, increased abortions, and respiratory problems in calves have indicated over the years that there has been a herd-health issue. They’ve incurred losses due to these health issues, and Palmer confirmed: “It’s expensive.” To combat BVD, Matador Ranches is now testing its calf crop, purchased yearlings, and the cow herd as needed, and vaccinating cows and calves.
Palmer emphasized to other producers that, if they suspect BVD in their herds, he would begin by testing groups of calves. Then, if BVD is confirmed, test the cows. He advised producers to really pay attention to what are the signs of BVD because the disease may not be obvious. “You do not know what a persistently infected (PI) calf looks like,” he commented, because they can appear healthy. Palmer added that understanding the source of the infection – where the exposure to BVD is coming from – is key. “If you find a PI animal, don’t take it to the sale barn. It is a moral obligation to take that animal out of the U.S. cattle herd,” he advised.
To those who downplay the importance of BVD control, Palmer reiterated, “This is real. If you don’t believe it’s real, start testing and find out.”
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