Agricultural News
New Tough Trich Standards Now in Place
Wed, 12 Jan 2011 7:10:35 CST
The turn of the calendar to 2011 has brought the enforcement of important new regulations for Oklahoma cattle producers. Trichomoniasis is a venereal disease of cattle that can result in loss of valuable income due to early pregnancy abortion and temporary infertility. Some herds have seen calving percentages as low as 50% due to the presence of trichomoniasis (commonly called 'trich'). Infected bulls are the primary transmitters of the disease. Infected bulls carry the disease-causing protozoa Trichomonas foetus on their penis and prepuce. Therefore, Oklahoma (and other states) are enforcing regulations that focus on breeding bulls, the reservoir for the disease.
Effective January 1, 2011, any bull changing ownership in Oklahoma by private sale, public sale, lease, trade, or barter must have a negative test for Trichomoniasis within 30 days of change of ownership. Exceptions are:
· Bulls that are less than 24 months of age and can be certified as virgin bulls.
· Bulls that are being sold directly to a slaughter establishment
· Cutter bulls that will be fed for slaughter only
Untested bulls consigned to livestock markets will be allowed to be sampled at the market at the buyer's expense and transported to the buyer's premise under quarantine until negative test results have been reported. The livestock market will not be liable for bulls that test positive after the sale. Those bulls must be castrated or sold for slaughter only within 10 days of notification.
If a bull tests positive he must be sold directly for slaughter or castrated within 10 days of notification. The herd of origin will be notified that a bull from the herd tested positive for "trich". The herd owner will be advised to contact their veterinarian for assistance in managing and eradicating the disease from the herd.
Bulls entering Oklahoma from any state must be tested negative for Trichomoniasis within 30 days of entry be identified with an official identification device.
Oklahoma beef producers are strongly urged to learn more about the disease and the current regulations that are being implemented to help reduce the loss of production and profit from Oklahoma herds. Visit with your veterinarian about testing procedures. Click here for more information from the Oklahoma Department of Ag website on Trichomoniasis.
If you have questions, call Dr. Rod Hall in the Animal Industry Division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry at 405-522-6126.
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