Project hopes to eradicate BVD from Michigan UP

Michigan State University and Pfizer Animal Health are teaming up to eradicate bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) from Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

"With Pfizer Animal Health's technical support and funding, we are developing a five-year voluntary producer program that identifies, prevents and hopefully will eliminate BVD in Michigan's Upper Peninsula,” says Dan Grooms, DVM, PhD, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Researchers will record the health of the animals, their reproductive efficiency and the marketability of BVD-free cattle to demonstrate the increased value of these animals to potential buyers. The plan will also provide the industry with replicable management strategies and prevention protocols that can be implemented to help protect against BVD.
 

"Michigan's Upper Peninsula possesses specific characteristics, such as geographic isolation, natural barriers for cattle movement and cattle flowing principally out of the region, that make it ideal for studying BVD eradication,” says Victor Cortese, director of specialty veterinary operations for Pfizer Animal Health and one of the program's coordinators.
 

Throughout the program, producer outreach, education and industry involvement will play an important role in successful eradication. For more information on the project, go to: www.cvm.msu.edu/bvdup