New Online Model Calculates BVD Risk
Is your herd at risk for bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) and, if so, what might it cost if an outbreak occurs? A newonline model has been developed to help calculate the impact of BVD to different herd scenarios.
Mike Sanderson, a veterinarian and associate professor at Kansas State’s College .jpg) ofVeterinary Medicine, presented the model to attendees at the applied science session of the 2009 BVDV Symposium in Phoenix, Ariz. As one example, Sanderson showed that if 50 bred heifers were added to a cow herd every year andwere not tested for BVD, after 10 yearsthere is a 96 percent probability that BVD would be introduced into the herd.
Sanderson explained that the online resource can be used as a tool to help determine the best management practices for BVD virus testing and control in different scenarios. He pointed out that BVD control can vary with several factors, including:
• the risk profile of the herd;
• the risk aversion of the producer;
• cash flow of the ranch; and
• management.
Additionally, Sanderson emphasized that a BVD control plan is best developed cooperatively with your herd veterinarian.
Sanderson said users will be prompted to answer a series of about 10 questions; it will then take about 5-10 minutes for the model to run the analysis before the information is generated for the user to review.
|