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Guidance

Vets: test for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) in cattle

Published 22 June 2023

Applies to England

Contents

  1. Test type and sampling for beef cattle
  2. Test type and sampling for dairy cattle
  3. Test sample laboratory analysis
  4. Test results

Test type and sampling for beef cattle

To test for BVD in beef cattle, you should do a blood (serum) antibody test.

Read BVD Free guidance on how to carry out a blood (serum) antibody test for BVD if you need more information.

If the farmer is a CHeCs member, you can choose to follow CHeCs guidance on how to carry out a blood (serum) antibody test for BVD.

Number of samples

You should carry out 5 tests in up to 2 epidemiological groups.

The farmer will not get paid unless 5 tests in up to 2 epidemiological groups are carried out.

Test type and sampling for dairy cattle

To test for BVD in dairy cattle, you should do a bulk milk test. You can choose with the farmer whether to do an antibody or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) bulk milk test.

You should not use the results of a bulk milk test done before the farmer applied for the review.

If you’re confident the farmer has the expertise to carry out bulk milk sampling and they agree, they can take the sample. The farmer should not do the test.

If you and the farmer want to do a blood serum antibody test instead of a bulk milk test, you can. The results would be accepted, but the £372 payment rate for a dairy cattle review will not change. The antibody test must be to the same standard as is specified for beef cattle.

Read BVD Free guidance on how to test for BVD if you need more information.

If the farmer is a CHeCs member, you can choose to follow CHeCs guidance on how to test for BVD.

Test sample laboratory analysis

Send the test sample for analysis to a laboratory that meets one or more of these specifications:

  • ISO/IEC 17025 accredited

  • UKAS accredited (UK accredited) for BVD testing

A farmer will not be eligible for funding unless samples are tested at a laboratory that meets at least one of these specifications.

Find a recommended laboratory to test for BVD in cattle.

Test results

You should:

  • discuss the test results and any further action with the farmer as part of the review
  • include test results in the written report you give to the farmer with appropriate recommendations

The farmer can use the test results for other accreditation schemes they're a member of. The farmer should check with the accreditation scheme that they’ll accept testing from the review.

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