Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) is quickly becoming one of the most common animal health problems facing Irish beef farms. IBR is an infectious viral disease of cattle caused by Bovine Herpes Virus 1 (BHV-1). It is estimated that between 70% and 80% of Irish cattle herds contain a least one IBR-positive animal. These IBR carrier animals are latent carriers, but are also the source of the virus in IBR outbreaks.
To attempt to eradicate the growing problem of IBR from the national herd, the Teagasc/ Irish Farmers Journal BETTER farm beef challenge has joined forces with Animal Health Ireland to implement an IBR eradication pilot programme on all programme participants’ farms. The idea of the pilot programme is to blood test a portion of each herd and test the samples for the presence of IBR. This will allow for the identification of the IBR carriers (if any) within the herd and to take appropriate preventative action, such as vaccination or culling. It is hoped that this programme will be rolled out across all herds nationwide in the coming years.
Last week, the Irish Farmers Journal visited Limerick BETTER farm beef challenge participant Shane Gleeson, who was blood-testing 30 suckler cows as part of the pilot programme, with local vet Matt Ryan
Managing IBR
In terms of the symptoms, it must be acknowledged that the severity of disease associated with IBR infections can range from mild to very severe. First and foremost, reduced feed intake will raise alarm bells, as with many diseases. Inflammation of the nostrils and upper airways of cattle, associated with a high temperature are then the most common clinical signs. Other common signs include rapid and loud breathing, which many identify as a ‘blow’ on an animal. The virus can cause abortion in pregnant cattle, as well as pharyngitis (swelling of the throat) in young calves.
Farmers should also be aware that IBR is contagious, meaning it can be spread between animals. The airborne spread of the virus can occur over distances of up to 5m. It can also be spread physically through semen from infected bulls, through the use of contaminated equipment and by people who have recently handled infected animals.
There are a number of different preventative measures for the virus, depending on the situation on your farm. If you have no cases of IBR within the herd, it is critical to eliminate the potential entry of the virus. Best practice is to operate a closed-herd policy, as well as implementing good biosecurity measures. For a herd with IBR present, it is important to cull the carriers and to implement a vaccination programme to prevent against future outbreaks.
Whatever your IBR status, consulting your local vet about IBR in the herd would be a worthwhile.
Listen to vet Matt Ryan and BETTER farm programme manager Alan Dillon speaking about the IBR eradication pilot programme on Shane Gleeson’s farm on this week's podcast.
Read more
Fodder budget series: BETTER farms planning to stay on top this winter
Lots to consider as growth rates climb
Growth slowly recovering on Tullamore Farm
Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) is quickly becoming one of the most common animal health problems facing Irish beef farms. IBR is an infectious viral disease of cattle caused by Bovine Herpes Virus 1 (BHV-1). It is estimated that between 70% and 80% of Irish cattle herds contain a least one IBR-positive animal. These IBR carrier animals are latent carriers, but are also the source of the virus in IBR outbreaks.
To attempt to eradicate the growing problem of IBR from the national herd, the Teagasc/ Irish Farmers Journal BETTER farm beef challenge has joined forces with Animal Health Ireland to implement an IBR eradication pilot programme on all programme participants’ farms. The idea of the pilot programme is to blood test a portion of each herd and test the samples for the presence of IBR. This will allow for the identification of the IBR carriers (if any) within the herd and to take appropriate preventative action, such as vaccination or culling. It is hoped that this programme will be rolled out across all herds nationwide in the coming years.
Last week, the Irish Farmers Journal visited Limerick BETTER farm beef challenge participant Shane Gleeson, who was blood-testing 30 suckler cows as part of the pilot programme, with local vet Matt Ryan
Managing IBR
In terms of the symptoms, it must be acknowledged that the severity of disease associated with IBR infections can range from mild to very severe. First and foremost, reduced feed intake will raise alarm bells, as with many diseases. Inflammation of the nostrils and upper airways of cattle, associated with a high temperature are then the most common clinical signs. Other common signs include rapid and loud breathing, which many identify as a ‘blow’ on an animal. The virus can cause abortion in pregnant cattle, as well as pharyngitis (swelling of the throat) in young calves.
Farmers should also be aware that IBR is contagious, meaning it can be spread between animals. The airborne spread of the virus can occur over distances of up to 5m. It can also be spread physically through semen from infected bulls, through the use of contaminated equipment and by people who have recently handled infected animals.
There are a number of different preventative measures for the virus, depending on the situation on your farm. If you have no cases of IBR within the herd, it is critical to eliminate the potential entry of the virus. Best practice is to operate a closed-herd policy, as well as implementing good biosecurity measures. For a herd with IBR present, it is important to cull the carriers and to implement a vaccination programme to prevent against future outbreaks.
Whatever your IBR status, consulting your local vet about IBR in the herd would be a worthwhile.
Listen to vet Matt Ryan and BETTER farm programme manager Alan Dillon speaking about the IBR eradication pilot programme on Shane Gleeson’s farm on this week's podcast.
Read more
Fodder budget series: BETTER farms planning to stay on top this winter
Lots to consider as growth rates climb
Growth slowly recovering on Tullamore Farm
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