AVA Conference Adelaide 2016

Much has been published surrounding the impact of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea virus (BVDV) on reproduction and fertility, but there is a paucity of information, under Australian conditions, which describes the effect of exposure to BVDV on production. The impact of BVDV on liveweight gains in weaner calves, and whether vaccination with Pestigard™ (Zoetis Australia) would mitigate against any impact, was assessed in two BVDV endemically infected herds during 2015. This paper describes the serological patterns for BVDV antibody observed in the two herds before, during, and after vaccination, over the nine month duration of the trial. Observations are reported relating to the stability of antibody status within both the vaccinated and control groups, particularly surrounding contact with persistently-infected animals. Implications for herd immunity, and protection status are discussed in view of the reported variations, and some explanations are offered as to how these anomalies may occur. Planning effective control strategies against BVDV, including the use of vaccination, is reviewed in light of the data from these two investigations