ANM Pioneers Sales of High Health Cattle
UK - Aberdeen and Northern Marts (ANM) is to pioneer sales of breeding cattle certified free of one of the main endemic diseases.
28 August 2009
2 minute read
It revealed at the open day two special auctions of bovine viral diarrhoea-free animals using a pioneering declaration system endorsed by the Institute of Auctioneers, NFU Scotland, Quality Meat Scotland, the SAC premium cattle health scheme and the farmer-run Hi-Health initiative.
BVD is a scourge of the cattle sector globally, and can impose extra costs of up to £40,000 on a 100-cow herd over a decade, according to The Press and Journal.
ANM general manager John Gregor said sales of high health cattle had up to now not particularly suited commercial farmers.
He added: “For farmers interested in buying and selling BVD accredited animals, these cattle health declarations, which are endorsed by both the farmer and the farmers' vet, will allow breeding animals of known BVD status to be traded by auction.
“This fits well with the traditional replacement policies of north-east herds."
The sales, on September 18 and October 27 at Inverurie’s Thainstone Centre, are being held as many farmers consider new strategies to eradicate BVD.
Putting tested and vaccinated cattle through the auction ring poses no problems as the animals have the ability to fight off any infection that might be carried by other beasts.
NFU vice-president Nigel Miller said the certification scheme would be of huge benefit and hoped it could be rolled out Scotland-wide.
SAC health schemes manager Ian Pritchard said BVD caused infertility and abortions in cows as well as deformities in those calves that are born alive. The disease suppresses the immune system and makes animals prone to scour and pneumonia.
