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The lower number of calves BVD tested to date in 2019 compared with 2018 may be a reflection of a slightly later breeding season in 2018 as a consequence of weather, according to Dr David Graham, Animal Health Ireland chief executive.
By week 11 to mid-March, the number of calves tested was 69,811 lower than in the same period of 2018, a difference of 8%.
The trend was consistent with the lower figures for calf registrations reported by the Department of Agriculture and by ICBF, Graham said.
Meanwhile, the latest figures, released on Wednesday, show BVD tests starting to catch up on last year. The total number of calves tested, by week 12, was 882,355 which was 24,592 or 2.7% behind the same point in 2018.
Empty tissue tags
On the issue of empty tissue tags, Dr Graham said that empty rate is down by almost one-third on this time last year, to less than 1%. That is consistent with an overall downward trend since last spring, he said.
“This is likely a reflection of greater familiarity of farmers with the various tag types available and ongoing education from tag suppliers on their correct usage.”
On BVD, he said: “At this point, our key messages continue to be around the prompt testing of calves by all farmers to ensure that any PI calves born are identified as quickly as possible, and thereafter that positive calves are removed as quickly as possible after being identified. Preliminary analysis shows improvements in both to date in 2019, compared to 2018.”
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