Bringing in new cows.....

[angus9259]

I read a lot on these boards re: people getting new cows. How concerned are you with disease - especially if the cattle are from some distance away? My vet says anaplas isn't prevalent in our area unless it's "brought in" from more southernly states. What about other diseases? Johnes? Friend bought a very expensive embryo transplant bred cow that had johnes - must have got it from the recip dam at the farm she was from. Maybe even simple issues like pinkeye strains or lumpy jaw that might not be in your herd now? Is it really worth the risk? Obviously it is - or no one would do it.....

 

[Aaron]

The big 3 I worry about in my area is BLV, BVD and Johnes. But all can be tested for in new entrants to the herd. Expensive to test, so you better make sure the cows you are bringing in are worth it, not sale barn queens.

 

[TN Cattle Man]

I worry about these things all the time... When bringing any new animal to the farm, we are pretty strict about "quarantining" those animals for a minimum of 30 days. We are set up to do this and will perform the necessary tests to ensure that we are not infecting our herds.

 

[J&D Cattle]

Never crosses my mind. I'm running commercial cows and I generally obtain any new cattle within 75 miles from home. Most are way closer than that. I've usually got a good background on the cattle even if they are purchased through the sale barn.

 

[skyhightree1]

I read a lot on these boards re: people getting new cows. How concerned are you with disease - especially if the cattle are from some distance away? My vet says anaplas isn't prevalent in our area unless it's "brought in" from more southernly states. What about other diseases? Johnes? Friend bought a very expensive embryo transplant bred cow that had johnes - must have got it from the recip dam at the farm she was from. Maybe even simple issues like pinkeye strains or lumpy jaw that might not be in your herd now? Is it really worth the risk? Obviously it is - or no one would do it.....

That a vast majority of what I do most of the time. I buy then resell. I have a farm for the ones I bring in and quarantine them there for 30-45 days but soon as they get home they get worked. I bought 3 heifers from a vet last week I didn't quarantine but turned right out with my others cause shes had the best treatment the same goes for breds I buy from state sales where the state vet makes sure they have everything they need and are in health.

 

[angus9259]

The big 3 I worry about in my area is BLV, BVD and Johnes. But all can be tested for in new entrants to the herd. Expensive to test, so you better make sure the cows you are bringing in are worth it, not sale barn queens.

There's no good test for Johnes. Only whether or not they are shedding at the moment you test.

 

[Caustic Burno]

Never crosses my mind. I'm running commercial cows and I generally obtain any new cattle within 75 miles from home. Most are way closer than that. I've usually got a good background on the cattle even if they are purchased through the sale barn.

+1

 

[Dave]

I don't give it much thought. All of my pastures flood every winter and there are lots of cattle up stream so any bugs in the area are going to drift in. February and March I am hauling home new cattle weekly. They get worked as soon as they get home. They are held separate for one to three weeks depending on space available.