Members should be aware that all Charolais cattle over 12 months of age forward at Society Sales must be vaccinated against BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea). Members should consult their vets guidance on which vaccine would be best for their animals and the latest manufacturer’s guidance should be followed. These vaccines can be single or double dose, and the final dose must be administered at least three weeks prior to the sale. Owners must meet the manufacturers’ guidelines on re-vaccination or booster vaccines. Typically, re-vaccinations and booster vaccinations must be administered within 12 months, but please refer to the timeline recommended by the specific vaccine’s manufacturer.
Cattle under the age of 12 months at the time of the sale may not need to be vaccinated, provided the mother was vaccinated as per the vaccine manufacturers’ instructions. In most cases foetal protection can be expected if the primary immunisation has been finalised either 4 weeks before insemination for a double dose vaccine or 3 weeks before insemination for a single dose vaccine.
Vaccines which expire on or before the sale date must not be used.
If your herd is not part of a CHeCS-approved health scheme, or if your herd has not been granted Accredited Free status for BVD, all potential sale cattle must test negative on a BVD antigen test. They must then be vaccinated on the same day as the antigen test. If you are using a double dose vaccine, the second dose should be administered approximately 3-4 weeks later.
If your herd is part of a CHeCS-approved health scheme and has been granted Accredited Free status for BVD, a BVD antigen test is not required. However, any sale animals must still be fully vaccinated.
IMPORTANT – Ensure the final dose of your vaccine is administered no later than three weeks before the sale date to ensure immunity to BVD has built up sufficiently.
CATTLE WHICH DO NOT MEET THE BVD VACCINATION OR BVD ANTIGEN TEST REQUIREMENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ENTRY TO THE AUCTION CENTRE.
If you require any further information about joining a CHeCS-approved health scheme, please contact one of the providers below:
Cattle Health Schemes licensed by CHeCS
| AFBI Cattle Health Scheme Agri-Food Biosciences Division Veterinary Sciences Division Stoney Road, Stormont Belfast, BT4 3SD Tel: + 44 (0) 2890 525749 Fax: + 44 (0) 2890 525787 Email: info@afbini.gov.uk www.afbini.gov.uk | HI Health Herdcare Biobest Laboratories Limited 6 Charles Darwin House The Edinburgh Technopole Milton Bridge Nr Penicuik, EH26 0PY Tel. +44 (0)131 440 2628 Fax. +44 (0)131 440 9587 E-mail: herdcare@biobest.co.uk www.hihealthherdcare.co.uk |
| Premium Cattle Health Scheme SAC Veterinary Services Greycrook, St Boswells Roxburghshire TD6 0EU Tel: + 44 (0) 1835 822456 Fax: + 44 (0) 1835 823643 E-mail: pchs1@btconnect.com www.cattlehealth.co.uk | VLA Herdsure Cattle Health Improvement Service Tel: +44 (0)1789 750972 E-mail: herdsure.LSluddington@vla.defra.gsi www.vla.gov.uk |