Articles: Horse News
New Year Means New Regulation for Texas Cattle
Contact:
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719
Bob Hillman, DVM * Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242,
ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us
Thinking about selling, leasing, bartering or even giving away a breeding
bull? On January 1, Texas bulls that undergo a change of ownership (except
to slaughter) must be either certified as a virgin bull or be tested first
for cattle trichomoniasis, a protozoal disease that can cause cows to abort
very early in pregnancy. Infected bulls carry the microscopic bug that
causes trichomoniasis without any signs and can transmit the single-celled
protozoa to cows during breeding.
There is no effective treatment for bulls, and once infected, they can
continue to spread trichomoniasis when they breed, said Dr. Dee Ellis, who,
on January 1, will be Texas new state veterinarian and head of the Texas
Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the states livestock and poultry health
regulatory agency. Infected cows may clear the infection, but only if they
are given rest from breeding for 120-150 daysan expensive option, as a calf
crop will be missed. A vaccine also is available to help in the management
of infected cows, but it will not prevent infection.
The countrys western states have long-standing cattle trichomoniasis
regulations. About two years ago, the Texas ranching industry requested
similar regulations, to protect against the introduction and the spread of
cattle trichomoniasis, or trich. For months, representatives from the
states ranching, marketing and veterinary industries worked with the TAHC to
develop effective regulations to control the disease, which affects herd
productivity and an operations bottom line. In April 2009, the TAHC enacted
requirements for bulls entering Texas. In-state regulations were delayed
until January 1, 2010.
For months, we have worked with the Texas cattle industry to inform
producers and have participated in many meetings about cattle
trichomoniasis and the regulations. More than 600 accredited private
veterinarians in Texas have been certified to collect samples for
trichomoniasis testing, and we are ready to implement the intrastate
regulations for bulls undergoing a change of ownership in Texas, said
Dr. Ellis.
Dr. Ellis said the regulations will apply to bulls being sold, traded,
leased or undergoing any change of ownership (except for slaughter). The
regulations include three basic steps:
1. Identify the bull. Identification is essential for matching animals
with virgin bull certificates or test documents. One form of
identification is needed, and it may be an official USDA ear tag, breed
registry brand or tattoo, an 840 flap, bangle or an 840 radio frequency
identification device. If the bull originated from another state, it may
have that states official state of origin trichomoniasis ear tag (Texas
does not have an official trich ear tag). An accredited veterinarian can
apply an official USDA ear tag.
2. Certify virgin bulls. A breeder can certify the bull as a virgin, if
the animal was raised away from cows after weaning, and the bull is 24
months of age or younger. A Texas-origin bulls virgin status may be
extended to 30 months, if the virgin certificate is signed also by the
breeders accredited veterinarian. Virgin bulls are not required to have
a trichomoniasis test prior to change of ownership. Virgin bull
certificates are available at no cost on the TAHC web page at
http://www.tahc.state.tx.us.
3. Test older or non-virgin bulls. Bulls older than 30 months or bulls
that were maintained with cows after weaning must have a negative
trichomoniasis test within 30 days prior to change of ownership. A
certified, accredited veterinarian must collect the sample for testing at
the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. While awaiting test
results, which usually takes about a week, the bulls must be kept away
from cows. Upon receipt of the negative test results, the animal is
ready for change of ownership.
Breeding bulls that havent been certified as virgins or tested are
considered to be slaughter-only bulls, said Dr. Ellis. In some cases,
however, buyers may want an untested bull, although they may be buying
trouble. We have provisions under the regulations for untested bulls to be
identified and moved under a TAHC-issued hold order and movement permit. The
animal must be isolated from female cattle, and cannot be moved until it is
tested within 30 days of purchase at the owners expense.
In Texas, two tests are accepted. One is the Real Time Polymerase Chain
Reaction test, or PCR, which looks for the DNA of the protozoa. Because only
one PCR test is needed to detect infection, this may become the preferred
method for producers who want to move cattle more quickly. The second
acceptable test is the culture test, and it involves looking for the
protozoa under a microscope. A series of three culture tests is needed,
each conducted at least seven days apart, said Dr. Ellis.
Because cattle trichomoniasis is a reportable disease, we will be notified
regarding test-positive animals, explained Dr. Ellis. Test-positive bulls
may undergo a confirmation test, provided the owner or the accredited,
certified veterinarian makes the request within five days of the positive
results.
Because there is no effective treatment, infected bulls must go to slaughter
within 30 days of confirmation. The remaining bulls in the herd will be
held, isolated from female cattle, until they undergo two consecutive
negative RT-PCR tests, each conducted at least seven days apart, or three
consecutive negative culture tests, with each of the tests conducted at
least seven days apart. When they are confirmed negative for trichomoniasis,
the bulls remaining in the herd are free to be moved or to be commingled
with cows.
The cattle trichomoniasis regulations can save cattle producers a lot of
money in the long run, because this disease greatly affects calf
production. If you are obtaining a breeding bull, make sure the animal has
been certified as a virgin or was testedfor your herds sake, said
Dr. Ellis. We will be reviewing the regulations on a yearly basis with an
industry working group, to ensure that the rules remain timely and
effective.
Texas trichomoniasis entry requirements for breeding bulls is similar to the
intrastate regulations, but allows out-of-state bulls to be certified as
virgins only until 24 months of age. Exhibition or competition bulls may
enter Texas without a trichomoniasis test, but must be kept away from female
cattle. The TAHC must be contacted in advance of entry for a waiver of the
test requirement to be issued on exhibition bulls.
The TAHCs cattle trichomoniasis regulations and additional information are
available on the TAHC web site at: http://www.tahc.state.tx.us .
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