The National BVD Survey is back in its seventh year for 2024 and NBA/RABDF is delighted to support this important data-gathering exercise. The survey also partners with the BVD control and eradication programmes in each UK nation and the regional producers’ unions.
“In the years that the survey has run, over 1000 farmers have participated each year, sharing information on what they do on-farm to help protect their stock from this insidious virus,” says Dr Ailsa Milnes from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, makers of the live BVD vaccine, Bovela® and organisers of the project.
“The data that the survey gathers is valuable to build a national picture of how we are doing in the battle to control BVD and is shared with vets and policy-makers to inform how they advise farmers,” she adds. “Every participant will also receive a short report summarising the national findings and will also be in with a chance to win a set of Beats Studio wireless bluetooth in ear headphones, worth £120.”
BVD remains one of the most important cattle diseases negatively affecting many aspects of productivity. This includes direct losses associated with abortion, cost of treatment and veterinary care, and loss of livestock as well as other, harder to quantify costs such as immunosuppression and poor milk quality in beef suckler herds.
“BVD control is at a critical juncture – funding for testing under the Gwaredu BVD scheme ceased at the end of 2023 and talk of making engaging with English scheme mandatory is ongoing – so I’d urge anyone with cattle, no matter whether a few or a huge number, to take a few minutes to participate with this important survey,” concludes Dr Milnes.
Participate in this survey by using the link provided below:
BVD Survey 2024 (farmmetrics.net)
About RABDF
RABDF is the sole UK charity focused on the unique needs of milk producers. They are the only dairy organisation holding a Royal Warrant, with the influence and access to funding that brings.
More information
Sarah Alderton, farmgatemedia@outlook.com, 07739969198