One of the grand plans to eradicate BVD from the national herd has hit a stumbling block.

The so-called “name and shame” letters was a strategy that would have seen letters written to the neighbours of herds retaining persistently infected (PI) calves.

Hence the term “name and shame”: your neighbour would know that you’re on the naughty step.

The Dealer was informed that there has been a faux pas. Only 20 letters were issued and it appears that some of the letters may have gone to the wrong people. So the Department of Agriculture has inserted the tail between the legs and is withdrawing the strategy for now.

Who’s to blame? That’ll come out in the wash.