I'm sure everyone in Texas already knows about this but I just came across this info. Will this have an adverse or positive affect on y'all?
New Texas Trich Regulations
Texas Cattle Trichomoniasis Program adopted.
Interstate rules effective April 1, 2009.
In state rules effective Jan. 1, 2010
By Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)
Beginning April 1, 2009, breeding bulls entering Texas from any
other state must be either 24 months of age or younger and
certified as a virgin, or be tested negative for cattle
trichomoniasis within 30 days prior to entry.
The entry requirements are part of a regulatory package adopted by
the commissioners for the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)
February 24 to address trichomoniasis, a venereal disease of cattle
that causes infertility and abortions, and results in extended
breeding seasons and diminished calf crops, which costs livestock
producers valuable income. Cattle trichomoniasis is not a human
health issue. The second phase of the program, which will address
in state movement of Texas breeding bulls, will go into effect
January 1, 2010.
Dr. Bob Hillman, executive director of the TAHC, the state's
livestock and poultry health regulatory agency explained that the
interstate, or state to state movement, phase of the trichomoniasis
regulations will begin April 1, 2009. Breeding bulls entering Texas
must be officially identified, and may come certified as virgins,
provided they are 24 months of age or younger, and have not
commingled with female cattle. A breeder's certificate must
accompany the virgin breeding bull, signed by the breeder, and the
information also must be included on the certificate of veterinary
inspection. Routine documents also are required, including the
certificate of veterinary inspection, and other applicable
tuberculosis or brucellosis entry requirements must be met,
depending on the state of origin, or if the bull is a beef or dairy
animal.
Non virgin breeding bulls or bulls older than 24 months of age
entering Texas on and after April 1 must be tested negative for
trichomoniasis within 30 days prior to entry. During the test
period and prior to shipment, the bulls must have no contact with
female cattle. Like virgin bulls, the non virgin bulls must be
officially identified with a breed registry tattoo or brand, a USDA
metal ear tag, official RFID tag, official trichomoniasis ear tag
from the state of origin, or other official identification. The
animal must be accompanied by a completed trichomoniasis test
document, certificate of veterinary inspection and other routine
health documents.
"The regulatory components of the Texas' Cattle Trichomoniasis
Program will focus only on breeding bulls, which, even when
infected, continue to appear and act normally. Under the new
regulations, Trichomoniasis also becomes a reportable disease in
Texas, which will give us more information on where and how much
infection already is in the state," explained Dr. Hillman. "There
is no effective treatment or vaccine for bulls, and as they age,
the surface of their organs becomes more hospitable to the
protozoa, perpetuating the infection."
"Although the primary impact of the disease is on cows, which can
become infected during breeding and lose the fetus, the cow herd is
not included in the regulations. The majority of infected cows
will clear the infection, if they are given 120 - 150 days of
sexual rest. A vaccine also can be administered to infected cows
to help control the disease in the cow herd. The majority of
producers who commented on the proposed rule and members of the
working group recommended that the disease in the cow herd be
managed through information and education efforts. Producers with
infected herds should consult with their veterinarian to determine
the most appropriate measures to employ to eliminate the disease
from their herds."
New Texas Trich Regulations
Texas Cattle Trichomoniasis Program adopted.
Interstate rules effective April 1, 2009.
In state rules effective Jan. 1, 2010
By Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)
Beginning April 1, 2009, breeding bulls entering Texas from any
other state must be either 24 months of age or younger and
certified as a virgin, or be tested negative for cattle
trichomoniasis within 30 days prior to entry.
The entry requirements are part of a regulatory package adopted by
the commissioners for the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)
February 24 to address trichomoniasis, a venereal disease of cattle
that causes infertility and abortions, and results in extended
breeding seasons and diminished calf crops, which costs livestock
producers valuable income. Cattle trichomoniasis is not a human
health issue. The second phase of the program, which will address
in state movement of Texas breeding bulls, will go into effect
January 1, 2010.
Dr. Bob Hillman, executive director of the TAHC, the state's
livestock and poultry health regulatory agency explained that the
interstate, or state to state movement, phase of the trichomoniasis
regulations will begin April 1, 2009. Breeding bulls entering Texas
must be officially identified, and may come certified as virgins,
provided they are 24 months of age or younger, and have not
commingled with female cattle. A breeder's certificate must
accompany the virgin breeding bull, signed by the breeder, and the
information also must be included on the certificate of veterinary
inspection. Routine documents also are required, including the
certificate of veterinary inspection, and other applicable
tuberculosis or brucellosis entry requirements must be met,
depending on the state of origin, or if the bull is a beef or dairy
animal.
Non virgin breeding bulls or bulls older than 24 months of age
entering Texas on and after April 1 must be tested negative for
trichomoniasis within 30 days prior to entry. During the test
period and prior to shipment, the bulls must have no contact with
female cattle. Like virgin bulls, the non virgin bulls must be
officially identified with a breed registry tattoo or brand, a USDA
metal ear tag, official RFID tag, official trichomoniasis ear tag
from the state of origin, or other official identification. The
animal must be accompanied by a completed trichomoniasis test
document, certificate of veterinary inspection and other routine
health documents.
"The regulatory components of the Texas' Cattle Trichomoniasis
Program will focus only on breeding bulls, which, even when
infected, continue to appear and act normally. Under the new
regulations, Trichomoniasis also becomes a reportable disease in
Texas, which will give us more information on where and how much
infection already is in the state," explained Dr. Hillman. "There
is no effective treatment or vaccine for bulls, and as they age,
the surface of their organs becomes more hospitable to the
protozoa, perpetuating the infection."
"Although the primary impact of the disease is on cows, which can
become infected during breeding and lose the fetus, the cow herd is
not included in the regulations. The majority of infected cows
will clear the infection, if they are given 120 - 150 days of
sexual rest. A vaccine also can be administered to infected cows
to help control the disease in the cow herd. The majority of
producers who commented on the proposed rule and members of the
working group recommended that the disease in the cow herd be
managed through information and education efforts. Producers with
infected herds should consult with their veterinarian to determine
the most appropriate measures to employ to eliminate the disease
from their herds."
