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North Dakota requires Trich testing on some imported bulls

Turkey Track Bar

Well-known member
[EDITORS: This news release may also be found on the World Wide Web at
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/news/. Click on the news button from there. If you
have questions regarding the content of any release you receive via
e-mail, contact Rich Mattern at (701) 231-6136]

Trichomoniasis a Threat to Cattle
---------------------------------
Trichomoniasis continues to plague cattle herds in the upper Great Plains.

It is a venereal disease in cattle that the protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus
causes. The disease can cause infertility, abortions in the first half of
gestation and uterine infections, resulting in cows having to be bred more than
once per season.

No cases of trichomoniasis have been reported in North Dakota, according to Neil
Dyer, director of the North Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic
Laboratory.

Infected bulls are the real culprits in this disease, says Charlie Stoltenow,
NDSU Extension Service veterinarian.

The bull becomes infected from a cow and then spreads the disease to other cows
during the breeding season, he says. Most cows will clear themselves of the
infection within three months of initial infection, but they may lose their
fetus during that time. After infection, cows have a two- to six-month immunity
and then can become reinfected. Bulls more than 4 years old become infected
permanently.

Stoltenow recommends that since trichomoniasis has been diagnosed in South
Dakota, North Dakota producers should take a number of actions to protect their
herds. These include:

* Purchasing only virgin bulls as additions to the breeding herd. Nonvirgin
bulls, especially from an area with trichomoniasis, are at increased risk for
bringing this disease into the herd.

* When purchasing or leasing bulls, ask if the herd those animals are from have
a history of trichomoniasis. Purchasers always have the right to ask health-
related questions about any animal they are thinking about buying.

* Using pregnancy testing in a timely manner to identify problems such as
trichomoniasis early.

* Culling cows that lose their calves or abort. Those cows aborted or are open
for a reason, and one of those reasons can be trichomoniasis. Make sure these
culls go only to slaughter.

* Making sure that only cow-calf pairs are sent out to pasture.

* Using artificial insemination because it is very helpful in preventing the
spread of venereal diseases in cattle herds.

* Making sure that all members of a grazing association understand the need to
be vigilant for trichomoniasis and have taken measures to protect their herds.

Because of concerns about trichomoniasis and regulations in surrounding states,
the North Dakota Board of Animal Health has initiated an order that requires
certain bulls to be tested prior to importation. The order, which goes into
effect July 23, also includes exemptions and allowances. For more information on
the order, contact the state veterinarian's office at (701) 328-2655 or go to
http://www.agdepartment.com and click on "animal import permits," then look for
Board Order 2007-03 under the cattle section.
(I have included a link to the Board Order, below)

The NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory can test for trichomoniasis. Call the
lab at (701) 231-8307.

For more information on trichomoniasis, contact Stoltenow at (701) 231-7522 or [email protected], or Dyer at (701) 231-7521 or [email protected]

----

NDSU Agriculture Communication

:Source: Charlie Stoltenow, (701) 231-7522, [email protected]
:Source: Neil Dyer, (701) 231-7521, [email protected]
:Editor: Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391, [email protected]

This is a link to the ND Board of Animal Health's Import Order...it states which bulls have to be tested to be imported.

http://www.agdepartment.com/Programs/Livestock/BOAH/BoardOrder2007-03TrichomonasTesting.pdf


Cheers---

TTB :wink:
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Montana, Wyo, and Idaho I believe have all put some pretty strict trich rules in effect...I know one of the reasons for Montana's was the worries about S.D. when they had the outbreak..

Our rules mostly will effect seedstock folks- have to sell only under 24 month old virgin bulls-- pretty much cuts out leasing, and stops some of the 10 cow folks that used to buy their neighbors old bull or go to the sale and pick up a canner bull...

Only ones I've heard complain that it is negatively affecting is some of the Hereford breeders who usually kept their bulls until they were 2 year olds to sell....
 

Turkey Track Bar

Well-known member
OT:

The challenge will be for those who have pastures on both sides of the border and bring older bulls into the state with those cows. I have no idea how tough the State Vet's risk assessment will be.

I think it's a great idea...thought I'd put it up for those who move cattle back and forth.

I believe the biggest challenge will be in years like those of the droughts of 2004-2006, cattle moved into large pastures from out of North Dakota, with infected bulls (unknowingly,) and cattle became co-mingled by: either/or getting out, bulls jumping the fence and/or going into multi owner pastures. Most of the positive cases in those years traced back to South Dakota :oops: :oops: :mad: :mad: or back to large grazing association allotments.

Cheers---

TTB :wink:
 
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