NCBA Convention: Pfizer and Michigan State Team Up Against BVD
US - Cattle producers in the Upper Peninsula of the state of Michigan are getting a bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) eradication program designed by the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Pfizer Animal Health.
30 January 2009
1 minute read
The company is providing technical support and finding to help the university develop a five-year voluntary producer program to identify, prevent and potentially eliminate BVD in the Upper Peninsula, reports Roy Leidahl, for TheCattleSite. Researchers will track the health of animals and herds, reproductive efficiency and marketability of BVD-free cattle. They intend to show the increased value of the animals to potential buyers and to provide the industry with management strategies to guard against BVD.
The Upper Peninsula offers geographic isolation and natural barriers to cattle movement, and cattle flow mainly out of the region, noted Victor Cortese, Pfizer Animal Health director of specialty veterinary operations. Those conditions “make it ideal for studying BVD eradication.”
University personnel have started working with the area's producers, who recognize benefits of eliminating the disease form their cattle and from the industry. Pfizer says the disease costs the cattle industry more than $50 million annually.
Program coordinators expect to continue to update the industry on findings from the project.
Further Reading
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- | Find out more information on Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) by clicking here. |
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