Trichomoniasis

[Sacaton]

We had a local cattlemens association meeting recently with discussion on policy regarding trich. It seems like it is becoming more prevalent in our country with two neigbors recently having bulls test positive (one neigbor had 1/3 of his bulls test positive). There are currently no regulations in Arizona regarding testing for trich. I know other states have regulations in place. I believe in Utah, every bull has to be tested every year.

My question is what are the regulations regarding trich in your state? Is it feasible to test every bull every year? How is that enforced? In some of the rough country in Arizona, I would be willing to bet a large percentage of ranchers don't even know exactly how many bulls they have. Requirements are only good if they can be effectively enforced. Something needs to be done in order to work towards the erradication of this disease. If you and me work hard to keep it out but our neigbor does nothing, we have problems.

What are your thoughts? What works and what doesn't?

 

[Ho55]

Here in Utah you do have to Trich every bull every year. Some guys who run bulls on summer permits and desert permits have to Trich them twice once in the spring and once before fall turn out. I saw the effects of bulls with Trich before the state cleaned it up. Not good. Lots of open cows. It's enforced by the state and by fellow cattlemen if your running cows with others and their bulls don't have a Trich tags all you do is tell your local vet. They have so long to get them Triched or face fines. It not cheap to have done. But it's better than a cow herd exposed to a Trich bull. The only thing I don't like is when you go to bull sales and you can't buy one and bring it home without a Trich test. But most sellers are good to do it for you, before bringing into the state.

 

[jodywy]

If you turn in common with anybody in Wyoming bulls must be tested.

http://www.northernag.net/AGNews/tabid/171/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6394/Wyoming-Creates-Trich-Special-Focus-Area.aspx

Wyoming Creates Trich "Special Focus Area"

Northern Ag Network posted on March 22, 2012 17:20 :: 782 Views




The following is a press release from the Wyoming Livestock Board:

At its March 19, 2012 meeting, the Wyoming Livestock Board adopted a board order effective immediately, creating a Trichomoniasis Special Focus Area that includes all of Uinta County, Lincoln County excluding the area north and east of Fontenelle Creek Road, and the area of Sweetwater County south of Interstate Highway 80 and west of the Green River, south to the Colorado state Line.

The order requires that all bulls nine (9) months of age and older originating in or brought into the area defined must be tested for Trichomoniasis one time prior to May 31, 2012 and before being turned in with female cattle. This requirement applies to all bulls whether they are run on common grazing pastures or run on private property with or without commingling with other producer's cattle.

All bulls required to be tested must be branded with the current owner's registered Wyoming brand or seasonal brand and all tested bulls must be identified with a current year Wyoming Livestock Board Trichomoniasis test identification tag. Trichomoniasis test results must be provided to the Wyoming Livestock Board within 30 days of test results and before bulls are turned in with any female cattle.

Bulls running at large within the defined focus area that are not identified with the proper Trichomoniasis test identification tag may be taken up and held with proper care with notice given to the board and appropriate investigative action will be taken.

Bona fide seed-stock producers within the focus area may apply with the state veterinarian for a test exemption for virgin bulls. The state veterinarian is responsible for verifying virgin status and producer's management capabilities to assure bulls have not had reproductive exposure.

The Wyoming Livestock Board will open its Chapter 15 Trichomoniasis rules this year to further address infected herds, quarantines, identification of bulls, and other issues pertinent to Trichomoniasis in Wyoming cattle. The board will accept informal public comment on the existing rules and on this board order through the coming months. Please send your thoughts and opinions on Trichomoniasis and the current rules to WLSB, 1934 Wyott Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82002.

For a copy of this board order and/or the Chapter 15 rules, please call (307) 777-7515, or visit us on the web at http://wlsb.state.wy.us/animalhealth.htm#Trichomoniasis.

For further information or questions, please contact Dr. Jim Logan, WY State Veterinarian, at (307) 421-1682 or Dr. Chris Strang, WLSB Field Veterinarian at (307) 256-4019.


Source: Wyoming Livestock Board
Posted by Haylie Shipp

 

[leanin' H]

I agree that dealing with trich is a huge issue. Open cows cost more (many times over in fact) than the price of the test. In my area a trich and semen test costs $70. Knowing a bull is reproductively sound and disease free at the beginning of breeding season is a good feeling. I think your state would have to act in order to insure enforcement of a law passed. An association would still only have influence over its members. The neighbors around you could bring it back in. It would require some extra work getting bulls in to be tested. But we run on rough range as well and are able to get r done. Good luck. Keep us posted how it goes and welcome to ranchers.

 

[Sacaton]

H...the association just develops policy which is then passed on to people that can influence lawmakers. But we have to have policy in place that we support so it can be taken to the next level. I think the days of voluntary testing need to be put behind us so we can make some real progress. The enforcement seems like the most challenging aspect.

 

[Sacaton]

Any other's states have trich regulations that you like/dislike?

 

[Anonymous]

Montana had a rule where all nonvirgin bulls and bulls 18 months old or older had to be tested to be sold... This required a set of 3 tests over a period of time... This became quite a chore and expense for those breeders selling 2 year old bulls...
Also all bulls running in common with anyone had to be tested yearly before turnout....
Last year the board modified that rule-- and now only reqire the extensive testing in two 2 county regions (Glacier and Pondera, and Yellowstone and Big Horn) that have a high reporting of trich...