The respiratory health of preweaned calves is an important determinant of their health, welfare, and future performance. This prospective cohort study measured bovine respiratory disease (BRD) on 16 dairy farms, including 476 calves in South-west England. Wisconsin and California respiratory scoring and thoracic ultrasonography were performed repeatedly at 7 ± 0.89 day intervals (mean ± SD) at 0–56 days of age (n = 3344 examinations). Cases were localized to the upper or lower respiratory tract, or both, and classified as new, repeat, or chronic. Prevalence and incidence were calculated. Multivariate modeling of factors associated with repeated measurements was performed. Increasing age (OR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.04–1.06) and fecal score (Score 2, OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.14–2.77) were associated with a lower odds of a healthy BRD subtype, whereas increasing serum total protein (OR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.96–0.99) was protective. Older (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.06–1.09), male (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.01–2.84) calves with elevated Wisconsin respiratory scores (≥5, OR 5.61, 95% CI 3.38–9.30) were more likely to have elevated thoracic ultrasound scores. BRD remains common in calves born in UK dairy herds, requiring precise identification and management if preweaning health is to be optimized.

Background: The UK has a high incidence of lameness in cattle, which is costly in terms of economics and welfare. Most causes of bovine lameness originate in the foot but there are several different conditions causing lameness. Quantifying the relative prevalence of different lameness causing lesions allows for the focus of preventative measures and research on the most common conditions. Methods: This study analysed trimming records from 23 professional foot trimmers working in the Southwest of England. A total of 97,944 recorded lesions over a 5-year period were analysed for lesion identity, lesion severity, repeat presentation, foot affected, claw affected and whether they were from dairy or beef cattle. Results: The most frequently recorded lesions were digital dermatitis (32%), white line disease (21%), sole ulcer (19%) and sole haemorrhage (13%). White line disease had the highest percentage of lesions requiring veterinary attention and most frequently re-presented. Most lesions were in hind feet and there was a small but significantly greater number recorded in right feet. Beef cattle had a higher percentage of digital dermatitis and lower percentage of sole ulcer compared with dairy cattle. Conclusions: Digital dermatitis was the most common foot lesion of all cattle types. Most feet with lesions only appeared in the data set once, suggesting broadly that foot trimming was largely effective at resolving new foot lesions. More white line lesions were re-presented, along with having more severe grades compared with other lesions. Therapeutic trimming of chronic lesions appeared to be less successful, with re-presentations, on average, every 93 days, compromising welfare for extended periods, and requiring consideration of different veterinary treatment options.

Automatic calf feeders (AMFs) that supply milk for pre-weaning calves require group housing. This observational study assessed calf growth, health, feeding patterns and social behaviours prior to, during and following weaning in groups on the AMF. Calves were recruited from a single UK dairy farm and placed into two groups on the AMF between 3 and5 weeks of age (n = 19 and 13). They were fed milk near-ad libitum until 8 weeks of age when they entered a 2-week step-down weaning period. Daily milk consumption and the numbers of successful and refusal visits were collected from the AMF, along with weekly weights and health checks. Calf behaviour around the AMF was monitored through video analysis, and activity was assessed using tri-axial accelerometers. On average, the calves consumed approximately 3 L of milk three times a day from the AMF, confirming that limiting calves to twice daily feeding will restrict their desired milk consumption. The ADLG pre-weaning was 0.74 kg/d (SD 0.41 kg), rising to 0.99 kg/d (SD 0.46 kg) over weaning and 1.05 kg/d (SD 0.12 kg) post weaning. Refusal visits to the AMF, social interactions, displacements and cross sucking all increased over the weaning periods, suggesting that the calves were experiencing frustration due to a lack of expected milk rewards rather than hunger as ADLG continued to increase. Female calves also had more successful and refusal visits to the AMF than males, along with higher displacement indexes (p = 0.052), suggesting single-sex groups may be beneficial to AMFs. Calf activity had a diurnal pattern, with the highest standing times being during mid-morning and early evening, which may put pressure on limited resources if all calves are active during these particular time periods.

Veterinary RecordVolume 192, Issue 5 p. 216-216 Dairy Herds Passive transfer – is it time to reset our goals? George Lindley, Corresponding Author George Lindley PhD student and EBVS Specialist in bovine health management [email protected] Search for more papers by this authorRichard Booth, Richard Booth associate professor in veterinary extension services and infectious diseases of cattleSearch for more papers by this authorClaire Wathes, Claire Wathes emeritus professor of veterinary reproductionSearch for more papers by this authorNicola Blackie, Nicola Blackie senior lecturer in production animal science Farm Animal Health and Production Group, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TASearch for more papers by this author George Lindley, Corresponding Author George Lindley PhD student and EBVS Specialist in bovine health management [email protected] Search for more papers by this authorRichard Booth, Richard Booth associate professor in veterinary extension services and infectious diseases of cattleSearch for more papers by this authorClaire Wathes, Claire Wathes emeritus professor of veterinary reproductionSearch for more papers by this authorNicola Blackie, Nicola Blackie senior lecturer in production animal science Farm Animal Health and Production Group, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TASearch for more papers by this author First published: 03 March 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.2813Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article. Volume192, Issue54/11 March 2023Pages 216-216 RelatedInformation

Colostrum, the first milk produced by the cow before calving, is functionally and compositionally distinct from whole milk. Differences in fat, carbohydrate, protein, vitamin and mineral concentrations provide nutrition for the neonate. A high lipid content is an indispensable source of energy, while protein aids development and vitamins and minerals that are poorly transferred across the placenta can be provided orally. Immunoglobulins within colostrum are essential for the transfer of passive immunity, since the calf is born agammaglobulinaemic. Biologically active factors, including antimicrobial compounds, hormones, growth factors and immune-enhancing compounds, may contribute to immune development, intestinal growth and energy metabolism after birth. Bioactive substances may also direct the maturation of specific tissues via epigenetic effects that occur after parturition has occurred. An appreciation of the differences between colostrum and milk composition may be useful for all stakeholders interested in optimising early life feeding regimens for neonatal calves.

Preweaning calves are kept in a range of housing types that offer variable protection against the weather and provide differing internal environments. This cross-sectional observational study assessed the effect of housing type (shed, polytunnel, or hutches) on internal environmental parameters, using 2 blocks of 8-wk measurements from 10 commercial dairy farms in the south of England, covering both summer and winter periods. Continuous measurements for internal and external temperature and humidity were recorded by data logger placed within the calf housing and used to calculate the temperature-humidity index (THI). Weekly point readings were also taken for temperature, humidity, light, air speed, ammonia level, and airborne particulate matter. Airborne bacterial levels were determined at wk 2, 5, and 8 by incubating air samples at 35°C for 24 h in aerobic conditions. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models. Housing type influenced THI significantly in both seasons. In summer, calves were exposed to heat stress conditions (THI ≥72) for 39, 31, and 14 of 46 d in polytunnel housing, hutches, and sheds, respectively. The maximum summer temperature (37.0°C) was recorded in both hutch and polytunnel housing, with sheds remaining consistently cooler (maximum 31.0°C). In winter, the lowest minimum internal temperature recorded was in hutches at -4.5°C, with both the sheds and polytunnel, but not hutches, providing a significant increase in temperature compared with the external environment. Hutches remained ≤ 10°C for 86% of the winter study period. Light levels were reduced in all housing types compared with the external environment. The particulate matter in air that is capable of reaching the lungs (particulate matter <10 μm) was highest in sheds, intermediate in hutches, and lowest in polytunnel housing (0.97 ± 3.75, 0.37 ± 0.44, and 0.20 ± 0.24 mg/m3, respectively). This was mirrored by airborne bacterial numbers, which were also highest in sheds (8,017 ± 2,141 cfu/m3), intermediate in hutches (6,870 ± 2,084 cfu/m3), and lowest in the polytunnel (3,357 ± 2,572 cfu/m3). Round, white, catalase-positive, and oxidase-negative colonies were most prevalent, likely indicating Staphylococcus species. This study demonstrated that UK calves are routinely exposed to either heat or cold stress, especially when housed in hutches or polytunnels. Sheds had the highest levels of particulate matter and airborne bacteria, both known contributory factors for respiratory disease. These findings demonstrate that all calf housing systems result in environmental compromises that could have long-term impacts on calf health and growth; therefore, further studies should identify husbandry and housing modifications to mitigate these factors.

Pair housing of pre-weaning dairy calves has previously demonstrated positive impacts on their growth, health and behaviour, but longer-term effects on production are still relatively unknown. This study followed a cohort of 431 Holstein heifers, recruited from a single UK commercial dairy farm, from weaning until either culling or the end of their first lactation. All animals were allocated to either individual or pair housing as a pre-weaning calf. Following weaning, all heifers were similarly managed through group housing, feeding with total mixed rations, the use of automatic heat detection for artificial insemination and weighing every two months until conception. Farm staff identified disease occurrences, which were treated following standard operating procedures. First-lactation monthly milk recording was used to measure milk yields and somatic cell counts. Overall mortality (voluntary and involuntary) was 26.6%, with a decreased hazard of exiting the herd if the heifer was pair housed as a calf (HR 0.70; p = 0.067). The voluntary cull rate was highest in the post-insemination period (13.0%) due to poor fertility. Heifers that were pair housed as calves had significantly increased odds of developing udder health issues as a primiparous cow (OR = 1.93, p = 0.022). Despite this, the 305-day milk yields were not associated with the housing group. However, the total milk produced per calf recruited into the original study was greater for pair-housed compared with individually housed calves (8088 kg vs. 7115 kg; p = 0.071), which is likely due to the significantly higher hazard of individually housed calves exiting the herd prematurely.

Adoption of optimal management techniques for rearing dairy calves has significant effects on their health, welfare, and productivity. Despite much published literature on best practice, calf morbidity and mortality rates remain high. This survey aimed to establish current calf management practices in the United Kingdom, along with farmer perceptions surrounding different housing types. A survey containing 48 questions was distributed online to UK farmers via social media, online forums, and a convenience sample of veterinary practices and was completed by 216 participants. A descriptive analysis with frequency distributions was calculated, with chi-squared tests, linear regression and multinomial regression performed to assess associations between variables. There was a low level of regular veterinary involvement in day-to-day health decision making for calves (3/216, 1.4%), highlighting the need for appropriate staff training and standard operating procedures to ensure prudent antimicrobial usage. Restricted calf milk feeding remains highly prevalent in the United Kingdom, with most calves fed milk replacer (114/216, 52.8%), twice daily (189/216, 87.5%), initially given milk at 4 L/d (66/216, 30.6%) or 6 L/d (47/216, 21.8%). There was, however, a small number of farmers initially feeding only 2 to 3 L/d (28/216, 13.0%). Euthanasia of bull calves (5/216, 2.3%) and feeding antimicrobial waste milk to calves (8/216, 3.7%) both occurred on some farms. With regard to housing, use of individual calf pens has reduced from around 60% in 2010 to 38.4% in this study (83/216), with this reduction being partly driven by the policy of UK milk buyers. Farmer perceptions indicated that individual housing was thought to help to improve calf health and feed monitoring of calves, suggesting that successful use of group housing requires a higher level of stockmanship. The majority of farmers did not provide fresh bedding to calves on a daily basis (141/216, 65.3%), and relatively few disinfected both the calf housing (38.0%) and ground (47.7%) between calves, suggesting that hygiene practices may require additional attention in farm management protocols.

Gwaredu BVD is the industry led voluntary programme to eradicate bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) in Wales. This uses check testing to find BVD positive farms and a variety of methods to eradicate the virus on farm. Biosecurity is advised as a follow up to protect the farms. This article discusses why the industry chose to eradicate BVD and why check testing was used. The progress to date, future plans and anticipated challenges are outlined.

Social pair housing of calves has previously demonstrated positive impacts for calves, so this study aimed to compare the health and behaviour of calves kept in individual compared to pair housing on a single commercial UK dairy farm. A total of 457 Holstein and Jersey heifer calves were recruited and systematically allocated to individual and pair housing. Weekly visits were conducted up to 8 weeks of age, with weight and presence of clinical disease measured using both a standardized scoring system and thoracic ultrasonography. A subset of calves (n = 90) had accelerometers attached to monitor activity, with CCTV placed above a further 16 pens to allow behavioural assessments to be made via continuous focal sampling at 1 and 5 weeks of age. During the study, there was a mortality rate of 2.8%, and an average daily liveweight gain (ADLG) of 0.72 kg/day, with no significant effect of housing group (p = 0.76). However, individually housed calves had increased odds of developing disease (OR = 1.88, p = 0.014). Accelerometer data showed that housing group had no effect on lying times, with a mean of 18 h 11 min per day (SD 39 min) spent lying down. The motion index was significantly higher in pair-housed calves (F1,83 = 440.3, p < 0.01), potentially due to more social play behaviour. The total time engaged in non-nutritive oral behaviours (NNOBs) was not impacted by housing group (p = 0.72). Pair-housed calves split their time conducting NNOBs equally between inanimate objects and on their pen mates' body. Individually housed calves spent significantly more time with their head out of the front of the pen (p = 0.006), and also engaged in more self-grooming than pair-housed calves (p = 0.017), possibly due to a lack of socialization. The overall findings of this study indicate that within a UK commercial dairy management system, pair-housed calves were healthier and more active than individually housed calves, while housing group did not influence ADLG or the occurrence of NNOBs.

The association between hoof lesions and lying behaviour was assessed on a Holstein–Friesian dairy farm in England. Twenty-nine cows were included in the study. Cows with claw horn disruption lesions (CHDL, n = 8), soft tissue lesions (STL, n = 6), and no lesions (NL, n = 15) were assessed. Data were collected on parity, days in milk (DIM), and mobility scores. Cows were trimmed and treated, and lesions were recorded by a professional foot trimmer. Lying behaviour was assessed before and after claw trimming. The milking herd (n = 96) prevalence of lameness was 32.3%. Mobility was scored using the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Mobility Scoring system. Mobility scores were significantly different across lesions groups (p = 0.022). CHDL cows had a mean mobility score of 2.0 ± 0.9 (mean ± SD), STL were scored 1.2 ± 1.3, and NL cows were 0.9 ± 0.7. CHDL were associated with longer lying times (15.00 ± 1.04 h/d; p = 0.0006) and shorter standing times (9.68 ± 2.38 h/d; p = 0.0351) compared with NL lying times (11.77 ± 1.67 h/d) and standing times (12.21 ± 1.67 h/d). STL cows spent significantly less time lying (11.30 ± 2.44; p = 0.0013) than CHDL but not NL cows. No significant differences were found with any of the other lying behaviours. After trimming, CHDL cows spent significantly less time lying down than before trimming (13.66 ± 0.98; p = 0.0125). Cows with NL spent significantly more time lying down (12.57 ± 1.90; p = 0.0398) and had a shorter minimum lying bout duration (0.17 ± 0.09; p = 0.0236) after trimming. In conclusion, lying behaviour in dairy cattle was impacted by type of hoof lesions and hoof trimming.

This study looked to assess the stability of Cryptosporidium parvum genotypes in calves between the final day of treatment with the antiprotozoal halofuginone lactate and seven days post-treatment. Paired faecal samples were collected on the final day of treatment and seven days later from 54 calves across seven farms in South-west England. The presence of Cryptosporidium species was detected using polymerase chain reaction targeting the 18 s rDNA. The presence and genotype of C. parvum was determined by PCR and amplicon sequencing targeting the gp60 locus. On farms where C. parvum was detected at both sampling times there was a distinct genotype shift. Detection of gp60 genotype IlaA15G2R1 decreased from 40% to 7% while IlaA17G1R1 increased from 0% to 41%, supplemented by IlaA16G3R1 in one sample. A shift in C. parvum genotypes present in calves within a one week sampling timeframe has not been described prior to this study, indicating that the timeframe is likely suitable for observing variation in C. parvum populations and interactions with antiprotozoal control strategies.

Since 2007, mortality associated with a previously unreported haemorrhagic disease has been observed in young calves in several European countries. The syndrome, which has been named 'bovine neonatal pancytopenia' (BNP), is characterised by thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia and a panmyelophthisis. A herd-level case-control study was conducted in four BNP affected countries (Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands) to identify herd management risk factors for BNP occurrence. Data were collected using structured face-to-face and telephone interviews of farm managers and their local veterinarians. In total, 363 case farms and 887 control farms were included in a matched multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis. Case-control status was strongly associated with the odds of herd level use of the vaccine PregSure® BVD (PregSure, Pfizer Animal Health) (matched adjusted odds ratio (OR) 107.2; 95% CI: 41.0-280.1). This was also the case for the practices of feeding calves colostrum from the calf's own dam (OR 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1-3.4) or feeding pooled colostrum (OR 4.1; 95% CI: 1.9-8.8). Given that the study had relatively high statistical power and represented a variety of cattle production and husbandry systems, it can be concluded with some confidence that no other herd level management factors are competent causes for a sufficient cause of BNP occurrence on herd level. It is suggested that genetic characteristics of the dams and BNP calves should be the focus of further investigations aimed at identifying the currently missing component causes that together with PregSure vaccination and colostrum feeding represent a sufficient cause for occurrence of BNP in calves.

A longitudinal cohort study was conducted to follow the health of 787 calves from one UK dairy farm over a two-and-a-half-year period. Weekly health scores were gathered using a modified version of the Wisconsin Calf Scoring system (which did not record ear position) until calves were eight weeks of age, combined with data on colostral passive transfer, mortality, age at first conception and 305-day milk yield. High morbidity levels were detected, with 87 per cent of calves experiencing at least one clinically significant event (diarrhoea, pyrexia, pneumonia, nasal or ocular discharge, navel ill or joint ill). High rectal temperature, diarrhoea and a cough were the most prevalent findings. The effect of total protein levels was significantly associated with the development of pyrexia as a preweaning calf (P<0.01), but no other clinical health scores. The majority of moribund calves had just one clinically severe clinical sign detected at each of the weekly recordings. The overall mortality rate was 21.5 per cent up to 14 months of age, with 12.7 per cent of calves dying during the preweaning period. However, most calves that died were not recorded as having experienced a severe clinical sign in the time between birth and death, indicating a limitation in weekly calf scoring in detecting acute disease leading to death. Therefore, more frequent calf scoring or use of technology for continuous calf monitoring on farms is required to reduce mortality on farms with high disease incidence rates.

One hundred and fifty-four preweaning calves were followed between May and October2015. Calves were fitted with continuous monitoring temperature probes (TempVerifiedFeverTag), programmed so a flashing light emitting diode (LED) light was triggered followingsix hours of a sustained ear canal temperature of ≥39.7°C. A total of 83 calves (61.9 percent) developed undifferentiated fever, with a presumptive diagnosis of pneumonia throughexclusion of other calf diseases. Once fever was detected, calves were randomly allocatedto treatment groups. Calves in group 1 (NSAID) received 2 mg/kg flunixin meglumine(Allevinix, Merial) for three consecutive days and group 2 (antimicrobial) received 6 mg/kggamithromycin (Zactran, Merial). If fever persisted for 72 hours after the initial treatment,calves were given further treatment (group 1 received antimicrobial and group 2 receivedNSAID). Calves in group 1 (NSAID) were five times more likely (P=0.002) to require a secondtreatment (the antimicrobial) after 72 hours to resolve the fever compared with the needto give group 2 (antimicrobial) calves a second treatment (NSAID). This demonstratesthe importance of ongoing monitoring and follow-up of calves with respiratory disease.However, of calves with fever in group 1 (NSAID), 25.7 per cent showed resolution followingNSAID-only treatment with no detrimental effect on the development of repeated fever ordaily live weight gain. This suggests that NSAID alone may be a useful first-line treatment,provided adequate attention is given to ongoing monitoring to identify those cases thatrequire additional antimicrobial treatment.

A randomised control trial was used to assess the efficacy of four different treatment methods for bovine respiratory disease (BRD); Group 1 received 2 mg/kg flunixin meglumine (Allevinix, Merial) for three consecutive days. Group 2 received 6 mg/kg gamithromycin (Zactran, Merial). Group 3 received both flunixin meglumine for three days and gamithromycin. Group 4 were monitored for a further 48 hours, and if pyrexia was still present they were treated as per Group 3. Three hundred and thirty-two pre-weaning calves were followed, with BRD detected by the identification of pyrexia (>= 39.7 degrees C) using a continuous monitoring temperature probe FeverTag. Upon pyrexia detection, the calves underwent a modified Wisonsin-Madison calf health scoring system to ensure that BRD was the initiating cause of the pyrexia, and to record the presence of any clinical signs. Calves were then randomly allocated to a treatment group. BRD prevalence was 57.7%, with mean age of onset of 29 days old. Mean growth rate was 0.76 kg/day, with no difference between the treatment groups. Bovine coronavirus was the only positively identified pathogen identified by a rising titre in the paired serology tests. However, the presence of bacteria pathogens can't be excluded, and the high success rate of the antimicrobial treatment would suggest their presence. Detecting pyrexia through the use of FeverTags to identify BRD was a successful method as 76% of the Group 4 (wait 48 hrs) calves maintaining their elevated temperature. Initial treatment with an antimicrobial (Group 2) had higher initial treatment efficacy (p<0.01) than using an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or monitoring the calf for 48 hours, with no additional reduction in repeat BRD cases when an NSAID was used concurrently. NSAID treatment alone did allow 31.7% of calves to resolve their pyrexia, but they went on have significantly higher odds of requiring repeated treatments for BRD (OR 2.76, p=0.022), suggesting that any short-term reduction in antimicrobial usage may be followed by long-term increases. With initial antimicrobial usage with or without NSAIDs found to be the most efficacious approach.

The term 'biosecurity' encompasses many measures farmers can take to reduce the risk of pathogen incursion or spread. As the best strategy will vary between settings, veterinarians play an important role in assessing risk and providing advice, but effectiveness requires farmer acceptance and implementation. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of specifically-tailored biosecurity advice packages in reducing endemic pathogen presence on UK beef suckler farms. One hundred and sixteen farms recruited by 10 veterinary practices were followed for three years. Farms were randomly allocated to intervention (receiving specifically-tailored advice, with veterinarians and farmers collaborating to develop an improved biosecurity strategy) or control (receiving general advice) groups. A spreadsheet-based tool was used annually to attribute a score to each farm reflecting risk of entry or spread of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV1), Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo (L. hardjo) and Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis). Objectives of these analyses were to identify evidence of reduction in risk behaviours during the study, as well as evidence of reductions in pathogen presence, as indications of effectiveness. Risk behaviours and pathogen prevalences were examined across study years, and on intervention compared with control farms, using descriptive statistics and multilevel regression. There were significant reductions in risk scores for all five pathogens, regardless of intervention status, in every study year compared with the outset. Animals on intervention farms were significantly less likely than those on control farms to be seropositive for BVDV in years 2 and 3 and for L. hardjo in year 3 of the study. Variations by study year in animal-level odds of seropositivity to BHV1 or MAP were not associated with farm intervention status. All farms had significantly reduced odds of BHV1 seropositivity in year 2 than at the outset. Variations in farm-level MAP seropositivity were not associated with intervention status. There were increased odds of M. bovis on intervention farms compared with control farms at the end of the study. Results suggest a structured annual risk assessment process, conducted as a collaboration between veterinarian and farmer, is valuable in encouraging improved biosecurity practices. There were some indications, but not conclusive evidence, that tailored biosecurity advice packages have potential to reduce pathogen presence. These findings will inform development of a collaborative approach to biosecurity between veterinarians and farmers, including adoption of cost-effective strategies effective across pathogens.

This paper examines the use of Bulk Milk antibody (BM Ab), Youngstock (YS) serology (Check Tests) and Bulk Milk PCR (BM PCR) for determining the presence or absence of animals persistently infected (PI) with Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) within a herd. Data is presented from 26 herds where average herd sizes were 343 and 98 animals for dairy and beef units respectively. Seventeen herds had sufficient data to analyse using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) and probability curves enabling calculation of the sensitivity and specificity of BM Ab and YS Check tests for determining the presence of PI animals within herds in this dataset.

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is a significant cause of economic and production losses to the cattle industry worldwide. The significance of this disease has been recognised by a number of European nations and has led to the implementation of multiple national eradication campaigns over the last 25 years. The Scandinavians were the first to introduce national BVDV eradication measures in the early 1990s and this aim was achieved over a 10 year period. The successful Scandinavian programmes have demonstrated that eradication of BVDV at the national level is a real possibility. This article discusses the progress, testing regimens and methodologies of the various BVDV eradication schemes that are underway across Europe — from those that have now finished to those that are just beginning.

Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus has been known for about 70 years and, over this period, we have learned about its complex pathogenesis and its impact on cattle health and welfare. It is a highly mutable virus and exists in the cattle population in two biotypes, i.e. non-cytopathogenic and cytopathogenic types, but also in different genotypes. Our understanding of these genotypes has increased greatly in the last two decades, triggered by the explosive outbreak of haemorrhagic and fatal acute disease seen in veal calves in the Eastern States of America and Canada during the late 1980s and 1990. This was caused by a new BVD virus later designated Type 2. In this article we describe this virus, its global epidemiology, its relevance to the UK, its diagnosis and its control.