New Online Resources Aim to Aid in BVDV Control
BVDV Symposium producer session, Jan. 27, 2009
PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 27, 2009) — Is your herd at risk for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV)? If so, what might it cost if an outbreak were to occur? A new online model has been developed to help calculate the impact of BVD in different herd scenarios.
Mike Sanderson, a veterinarian and associate professor in Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, presented the model to attendees at the applied science session of the 2009 BVDV Symposium Jan. 27, 2009. in Phoenix, Ariz. The symposium was in conjunction with the 2009 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Trade Show.
As one example, Sanderson showed that if 50 bred heifers were added to a cow herd every year and were not tested for BVD, after 10 years there is a 96% probability that BVD would be introduced to the herd.
Sanderson explained that the online resource should be used as a tool to help determine the best management practices for BVD testing and control in different scenarios. He pointed out that the most appropriate BVD control program for a particular situation can vary according to 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.
To access the web version of the spread sheet model, click here. 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.
A new web site has also been developed to bring BVDV information to one central location. The site is www.bvdinfo.org. The site features peer reviewed research on the topic of BVD, as well as guidelines on BVD testing programs, general articles, a listing of upcoming BVD seminars, and links to other sites with BVD information. Proceedings from the 2009 BVD symposium will also be posted there. There is also a link to the BVDV decision-support tool mentioned above. The web site is hosted by the K-State Beef Cattle Institute.
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