Some salebarns are requiring it even for those selling for slaughter. Too many people buy bulls that are supposed to go to slaughter and use them for breeding.
Here's the article:
A new state animal health law affecting movement of bulls within Missouri takes effect on Sept. 1.
After that date, breeding bulls must be tested for trichomoniasis, or trich, before changing ownership or possession. A similar law already exists for breeding bulls coming into state.
The bull-testing program aims to find and eradicate trich, a sexually transmitted disease in cow herds.
According to Craig Payne, University of Missouri Extension veterinarian, the disease has been found in herds in more than 30 Missouri counties. There is no known cure for infected bulls.
The venereal disease has caused 40 to 70 percent losses of pregnancies in some herds across the state.
"At today's calf prices, that is a significant financial loss. Some farms did not survive," Payne said. "There are not only lost calves, but there are losses from aggressive culling of infected bulls and open cows."
Because there is no treatment for the disease and vaccines are not 100 percent effective, prevention is the key, Payne said, and since bulls transmit the disease, the new rules focus on them. Under the new law, non-virgin bulls or bulls 24 months of age or older being sold at livestock auctions must be tested if they are not going to slaughter.
Similarly, non-virgin bulls or bulls 30 months of age or older that are sold at private treaty, leased, traded or bartered must have a negative trich test within 30 days prior to change of ownership or possession.
"The discrepancy in age of bulls being sold at livestock markets and those sold at private treaty – 24 months vs. 30 months – is temporary," Payne said. "The state veterinary office reports the age of bulls to be tested when being sold at private treaty will change from 30 to 24 months in November."
Most of the infected herds are in southwestern Missouri, though the disease has turned up in three counties north of the Missouri River. Vets expect the area of known incidence to spread as testing begins under the new law.
Any bull that tests positive for trich must be sent directly to slaughter. The herd from which the bull came will be subjected to restrictions as well.
Copyright 2011 Maryville Daily Forum. Some rights reserved
Here's the article:
A new state animal health law affecting movement of bulls within Missouri takes effect on Sept. 1.
After that date, breeding bulls must be tested for trichomoniasis, or trich, before changing ownership or possession. A similar law already exists for breeding bulls coming into state.
The bull-testing program aims to find and eradicate trich, a sexually transmitted disease in cow herds.
According to Craig Payne, University of Missouri Extension veterinarian, the disease has been found in herds in more than 30 Missouri counties. There is no known cure for infected bulls.
The venereal disease has caused 40 to 70 percent losses of pregnancies in some herds across the state.
"At today's calf prices, that is a significant financial loss. Some farms did not survive," Payne said. "There are not only lost calves, but there are losses from aggressive culling of infected bulls and open cows."
Because there is no treatment for the disease and vaccines are not 100 percent effective, prevention is the key, Payne said, and since bulls transmit the disease, the new rules focus on them. Under the new law, non-virgin bulls or bulls 24 months of age or older being sold at livestock auctions must be tested if they are not going to slaughter.
Similarly, non-virgin bulls or bulls 30 months of age or older that are sold at private treaty, leased, traded or bartered must have a negative trich test within 30 days prior to change of ownership or possession.
"The discrepancy in age of bulls being sold at livestock markets and those sold at private treaty – 24 months vs. 30 months – is temporary," Payne said. "The state veterinary office reports the age of bulls to be tested when being sold at private treaty will change from 30 to 24 months in November."
Most of the infected herds are in southwestern Missouri, though the disease has turned up in three counties north of the Missouri River. Vets expect the area of known incidence to spread as testing begins under the new law.
Any bull that tests positive for trich must be sent directly to slaughter. The herd from which the bull came will be subjected to restrictions as well.
Copyright 2011 Maryville Daily Forum. Some rights reserved
