Infertility has disease link
Infertility has disease link
ALTHOUGH most milk producers recognise infertility as a major economic loss, few associate the condition with disease.
An independent survey commissioned by drug manufacturer Intervet reveals that 73% of producers see infertility as the cause of economic loss. But 27% believe nutrition is the main cause of infertility and a further 20% blame feed.
Only 7% of producers rank disease as a major cause, and of those 44% could not name a disease affecting fertility, according to the survey.
A known cause of infertility, bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD), was only reckoned as a threat by 17% of producers, says the company.
Intervet vet Ian Mawhinney says it is not, therefore, surprising that less than half producers test for BVD and only 6-7% vaccinate against it. The company has now launched a free bulk milk testing service for BVD, through vets. *