News August - September 2020
What are you missing?
Kelly Sporer, PhD, Research Scientist/Diagnostic Technical Specialist, CentralStar Cooperative, Inc.
You often focus on management practices that are widely known to impact your herd’s health and overall profitability, such as: genetics, new technologies and feedstuffs. But, is there something you may be missing? According to USDA 89% of all U.S. dairies are infected with bovine leukosis, caused by Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV). At that rate, chances are it is present in your herd and negatively impacting your bottom line. BLV reduces production and longevity A Michigan State University (MSU) research group, in collaboration with CentralStar Cooperative, investigated the risk factors associated with BLV prevalence by surveying Michigan dairy herds. Through this, the research group set out to understand what effect, if any, BLV has on milk production, culling rates, and cow longevity. Results of multiple studies showed that BLVpositive cows with higher ELISA test values had lower predicted 305-day mature milk yields in addition to a lower 12-month rolling herd average. In over 100 Michigan herds, a higher BLV prevalence showed a direct correlation to the number of third and greater lactation cows on farm. Positive cows with a higher BLV ELISA value were less likely to stay in the herd, negatively impacting whole herd longevity. BLV compromises immune function We have known for some time that BLV influences the way a cow’s immune system works and in turn, likely affects her ability to fight off other infections. When cows are infected with BLV, the proportions of the different types of white blood cells, all with specific roles to play, change. BLV-positive cows also respond differently than their negative herdmates when vaccinated, implying that infected cows are not as protected against diseases for which they are immunized. Additionally, when
cows were infected with a new antigen that they had never encountered before, BLV-infected cows mounted abnormal immune responses. Identifying the most infectious animals While able to detect if an animal is infected or not, the widely used ELISA test cannot differentiate which cows shed the most virus and are therefore more contagious to the rest of the herd. Using a blood test that detects the virus itself showed that some cows were carrying an exponentially higher number of viruses in their blood than other BLV-positive cows; these are known as “supershedders.” Early BLV DNA tests that determine the number of viruses per cow were expensive, laborious, and only available through research collaboration. Because of that, CentralStar researchers developed a faster, more cost-effective, and commercially available blood PCR DNA test, the BLV Super‐Shedders (SS1) PCR assay, to determine which cows in a herd may be “supershedders.” Proof it works Using the SS1 PCR test, three pilot herds were screened twice a year to identify the cows with the highest number of viruses and to remove those animals from the herd. This strategy proved to be effective in significantly reducing overall herd prevalence. These herds that have been successful in
lowering their BLV prevalence also no longer have “super-shedders.” The initial trial was expanded to include more and larger herds; which is currently on-going. Where to start The first step is to establish a BLV index, which can easily be done through routine DHI. To do this, have 40 cow’s samples analyzed for BLV. The samples to be tested should come from cows that are herd-raised or have been in the herd 2+ years. The samples also must represent ten cows from each lactation group (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th+). Once your herd index is known, you can effectively determine your next steps. For help in establishing a BLV index, to create a plan or to just learn more, reach out to me at kelly.sporer@mycentralstar.com.
Each 10% increase in BLV prevalence was associated with a 428.9 lb. loss in RHA.
Results from three different research studies (1996 National Animal Health Monitoring Study (NAHMS), Michigan State University & CentralStar Cooperative and 2016 NAHMS) shows that each 10% increase in BLV prevalence was associated with a 428.9 lb loss in RHA (per animal in the herd). Source: Paul C. Bartlett 1,*, Holden C. Hutchinson 2, Casey J. Droscha 3, Bo Norby 4, Tasia M. Taxis 5, Kelly R.B. Sporer 3, and Vickie J. Ruggiero 6
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13/02/2020 09:29:34
Source: Agrarian Solutions.
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