Small Town News

State adopts new rules on cattle trichomoniasis

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Agriview

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) adopted revisions to Texas' cattle Trichomoniasis (Trich) program during the quarterly Commission Meeting on Oct. 5.

Bovine trichomoniasis is a venereal disease found in cattle, but does not affect humans or other livestock. Infected bulls cany the organism and transmit it to female cattle through breeding. Cows may abort early in their pregnancy and become temporarily infertile. Cows, given sexual rest, may clear the disease, but infected bulls are considered lifetime carriers and transmitters of the "Trich" organism. Cattle producers can lose valuable income from the resultant extended breeding seasons and diminished calf crops. Infected breeding bulls continue to appear and act normal. Only testing by a veterinary practitioner will confirm the presence or absence of the disease.

The revisions to the current regulations include: A negative cattle trichomoniasis test will now be valid for 60 days provided that the bull is kept separate from female cattle curing that time. Additionally, the test may be transferred within that time frame with the original signature of the consignor. A virgin certificate is now valid for 60 days provided that the bull is kept separate from female cattle. A virgin certificate may now also be transferred within that time frame with the original signature of the consignor. Revised entry requirements now exempt out-of-state breeding bulls from an entry trichomoniasis test, if they come from a Certified Semen Service (CSS) artificial insemination facility, where they are isolated from female cattle. The bulls must be accompanied by documents with an original signature by the veterinarian or manager of the facility. Revised regulations now allow untested, non-virgin Texas bulls to be sold and moved to a trichomoniasis certified feed lot prior to slaughter. Under previous regulations, untested non-virgin bulls were allowed to be sold only for direct movement to slaughter. This change does not apply to non-Texas origin bulls. Producers may also still purchase untested bulls for movement under a TAHC issued hold order/permit to a location away from female cattle, where the bull is to be tested for Trich. Commission veterinarians will now notify producer by letter when an infected bull is identified on an adjacent premise. Neighbors will not be required to test however, only informed of the situation.

Herd owners are encouraged to contact their veterinarian to discuss management of "Trich" infected herds. Producers may also call their Regional TAHC offices, or visit the TAHC website at www.tahc.state.tx.us for more information.

Dates

October 23rd & 24th - East Texas Show Star Series - Nacogdoches County Expo Center

October 26th - Cow-Calf Roundtable - Malakoff Senior Citizen Center - 6 p.m. -$10/person - 1.5 C. E. U.'s

October 30th - Wild Game Cook-Off - Wulf Outdoor Sports - 10:00 a.m. - $20.00/Team - Register at Wulf or online at www.wulfoutdoorsports.com - In Co-operation with Henderson County Wildlife Committee

Rick Hirsch is the Henderson County Extension Agent - Agriculture for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Visit our web page at http://henderson-co.tamu.edu.



Copyright 2010 The Malakoff News, Malakoff, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 The Malakoff News Malakoff, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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