News that BVD cases are back almost 30% in 2026 is welcome.

Considering cases in just five counties account for 50% of the total number of BVD positive cases, a very small number of herds are holding Ireland back from BVD-free status.

Is it now time for the Department and Animal Health Ireland (AHI) to do root and branch testing of these herds, find the culprits and compensate accordingly to get them taken out?

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I know this approach will be a concern for those farmers unfortunate enough to have had positive cases, but at the end of the day, the advantages of being BVD-free surely outweigh the costs of the disease within the herd.

This is before the costs of running the national programme are taken into account. Patience is running out.