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AHDB backs BVD elimination programme
cows
The RVC estimates the impact of BVD on English dairy and beef sectors to be over £11 million per year.
Supporting programme with £60,000 of funding

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is backing a major initiative to help eliminate bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) by extending the existing BVD Free programme in England.

The AHDB's dairy division (DairyCo) and beef and lamb division (EBLEX) is supporting the extended programme with £60,000 of funding.

The programme is expected to be launched in England later this year, and will work closely with similar BVD programmes operating in Scotland and Wales.

The RVC estimates the impact of BVD on English dairy and beef sectors to be over £11 million per year - with the impact doubling to over £22 million in a 'worst case scenario'.

“BVD adds significant cost through its ill effects on fertility and health," says Gwyn Jones, DairyCo chairman.

"Eliminating BVD virus will not only improve health, welfare and production efficiency but contribute to our aim of reducing the need to use antimicrobials through better health.

“I passionately believe that this is a goal that is not only right for the dairy industry but is achievable if everyone works together”.

EBLEX chairman Stuart Roberts added: “Beef farmers are particularly vulnerable to the effects of BVD which can potentially wipe out one year of the productive life of beef suckler cows either because they do not get in calf or they produce a persistently infected calf which then dies before reaching a marketable weight.

“BVD elimination will not only improve individual suckler herd outputs in the short term but through less pneumonia and other health effects will yield industry-wide long-term benefits”.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.