Ireland-The farmers cost of disease.

IRELAND-THE COST OF DISEASE TO FARMERS.

A BVD outbreak in a 100-cow dairy herd could cost a staggering €30,000, according to Teagasc.

The cost in terms of calf mortality, calf morbidity and culling of persistently-infected cows is estimated at €9,000.

However, when the reduced fertility of the infected herd is taken into account, the cost rises to nearly €20,000, Teagasc’s Riona Sayers told farmers at the recent Solohead open day.

Around 80-90pc of Irish herds have been exposed to the BVD virus since it was first reported in the late 1980s.

"The impact of this disease in terms of farm profit and animal welfare cannot be underestimated," warned Ms Sayers.

She added that Ireland is lagging behind its global trading partners because it does not have a BVD control programme.

"This situation will have to change in order to maintain Irish competitiveness in an increasingly challenging global market," she warned.

"Countries in Europe, as well as Australia and New Zealand, have implemented BVD control programmes to reduce the economic and animal welfare impact of BVD on their national herds."

Ms Sayers said vaccination alone would not be enough to eradicate the BVD virus.

Using vaccines without diagnostic testing or a biosecurity plan could potentially undermine their effectiveness in a disease control plan, leading to a vaccine breakdown, she said.

Using a combined approach of biosecurity, testing and vaccination could control BVD, reducing its economic impact and improving Ireland’s trading status in future years, she said.

- Caitriona Murphy