How can BVD be effectively managed in bovine herds?

Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) is a significant viral disease that affects cattle, leading to various adverse health outcomes, including decreased production and increased morbidity and mortality. Effective management of BVD in bovine herds requires identifying and managing the source of the virus, primarily found in persistently infected (PI) animals.

Culling persistently infected animals is a critical strategy because these animals continually shed the virus and act as a reservoir for the disease, which can lead to outbreaks within the herd. By removing these infected individuals from the herd, the overall prevalence of BVD can be significantly reduced, lowering the risk of transmission to other cattle.

While regular vaccination and improving feed quality can contribute to broader herd health and may offer some protective measures against BVD, these strategies do not address the specific issue of viral persistence in the population. Isolating calves might help in certain circumstances but does not solve the underlying problem of the presence of PI animals in the herd.

Thus, focusing on culling persistently infected animals directly tackles the root of BVD transmission, making it an effective approach to manage and control the disease within bovine herds.