Keeping BVD At Bay
These producers share how they’ve focused on biosecurity practices to control BVD virus in their herds.
Hougen Ranch, Melstone, Montana
Montana rancher Tom Hougen shared that he was caught off guard by BVD. After battling several sick calves postweaning on his commercial cow-calf operation in the fall of 2002, a year later he finally tested hisherd and confirmed that BVD was the culprit. He had not previously been vaccinating or testing for BVD.
In the six years since, Hougen has worked with his veterinarian to implement a control plan for his herd. He now annually vaccinates cows and calves against BVD – and if any suspect or dead calves are found theyare tested. He estimates that the BVD infection in his herd cost about $25,000 in lost animals and performance.
Today, Hougen advocates maintaining a sound vaccination protocol, screening all new animals coming into the herd, and re-screening herds with suspected breaches in biosecurity. Of his BVD experiences, Hougen said, “I had no clue that calves could be persistently infected with BVD…until it hits you at home, you have no idea.” He is now a firm believer in the importance of educating other producers about BVD. “If you suspect a BVD problem, I think you need to screen your whole herd and do it before you turn out the bulls,” Hougen recommended. This would include the current crop of calves, bulls, and replacementfemales. Cows only need to be screened if they have a PI calf.
His message to other producers is this: “If you’ve got a BVD problem in your herd, don’t hide it. Go to your neighbors and the person who buys your calves; work with them to solve the problem.”
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