Page 83 - Shorthorn Magazine

DALTON TAGS HELPS COMBAT BVD
To date, Dalton Tags are one of the leading suppliers of Livestock ID tags in Great Britain. With an extensive range of Caisley Cattle Tags, Dalton Tags are a pillar in the farming community and renowned for their exceptional quality in products and service including specialised customer service and industry leading turnaround times, reinforcing their mission of being one of the “Leading Specialists in Animal Identification Tags.”
With this in mind, Dalton Tags are committed to the eradication of BVD from Great Britain.
WHAT IS BVD?
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) is a highly contagious disease which causes significant harm to the well-being and profitability of cattle in your herd. Like all viruses, they are microscopic infectious organisms. In the case of BVD virus, it is suggested that 170,000 virus particles placed side by side would only cover a distance of 1cm. 1ml of blood from an infected animal may contain more than 1 million infectious viral particles. Infected animals secrete (or shed) vast amounts of virus.
WHAT ARE INFECTION SOURCES OF THE BVD VIRUS AND HOW LONG CAN IT STAY ACTIVE?
The BVD virus is highly infectious and can be spread via nose-to-nose contact, urine, faeces (including slurry) tears, saliva, clothing, equipment, buildings, trailers and, on occasion, semen and embryos. It can stay active out of body for up to four weeks. Sheep can act as ‘reservoirs’ and spread the disease but this is not fully understood. Little risk is thought to exist from wild ruminants but infection has occurred in goats and wild deer. Biting flies are thought to spread the infection also.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BVD IN ADULT CATTLE?
They can vary but include; fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, ocular discharge, nasal discharge, diarrhoea, decrease in milk production, coughing and poor fertility. The animal may have become infected from their mother whilst in the womb, from another animal or perhaps contracted from infected clothing, equipment etc. The BVD virus can survive up to four weeks out of body.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BVD IN NEWLY BORN CALVES?
Calves with the contracted virus can be stillborn or die soon after birth. Those that survive can suffer from wide stance, tremors, stumbling about with lack of coordination (Ataxia) and failure to suckle. This can indicate they have been infected by their mother which is known as Persistently Infected (PI) and they need to be isolated, retested, then culled and not sold on.
DO I HAVE TO TEST FOR BVD?
It is not compulsory in England and Wales to have animals tested for BVD. Compulsory eradication programmes have been running in Scotland since 2013.
WHAT DO I GAIN FROM BEING BVD FREE?
Ever tightening margins for livestock producers m
productivity gains are a necessity. Benefits include:
• Higher milk yields
• Improved calving indexes with improved herd fertility • Higher daily live-weight gain and a lower cull rate
• Lower incidences of pneumonia and calf scours in young
• Reduced lameness and mastitis in adult cattle
• Better response and outcomes if treatment is administe
I DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BVD SO WHY SHOULD I WORRY?
BVD can be the underlying cause of a range of issues in your herd that on the surface not seem significant; more ‘empty’ cows than you should have which may indicate fertility problems, the odd ‘poor doer’ which never amounts to much, or scours or respiratory problems –‘all part of livestock farming’ but which may be caused by BVD silently taking your time and profits.
DO DALTON TAGS PROVIDE A TAG AND TEST SERVICE I CAN USE ON-FARM?
Yes, ear tissue samples are easily collected for testing using the Caisley Flexoplus Geno Tag, then sent for virus testing to one of Dalton Tags’ trusted laboratories. You can send as few or as many samples as you require. The Caisley Flexoplus Geno Tag is ideal for your new runs or replacements. They can be primary, secondary or management tags and are available in flags or buttons. Buying a tag and test package from Dalton Tags can save you time, money and hassle.
DOES MY VET NEED TO ATTEND?
You can test for BVD by yourself. Caisley Flexoplus Geno Tags are available direct from Dalton Tags or through your local merchant. They are quick, easy and accurate and the most cost effective way to test for BVD.
KEY FEATURES OF THE CAISLEY FLEXOPLUS GENO TAG:
• One Animal, One Strip - eliminates risk of mixing up tags
• A unique tamperproof tissue testing system – simple tagging
with no modification required
• Tissue vial sample immediately sealed in applicator once
tagged - reduces risk of contamination
• Only one applicator needed for both tagging and testing
• Free and frictionless 360 degree tag rotation for less snagging • Quick turnaround for lab results – 3-5 working days
• Barcode and Management Space print options available
To find out more about the Caisley Flexoplus Geno Tag
Pictured: Lucy Neville from Derbyshire who is a member of the Shorthorn Dairy Society and also a cattle tag customer of Dalton Tags. Pictured alongside brother Jack Hollingsworth.
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The Caisley Flexoplus Geno Range supplied by Dalton Tags
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• Healthier herds with higher immunity and less interven
requirements without the BVD virus suppressing the im
system
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