I have been meaning to send out this information for our region. Another member asked me to provide our region with a reminder and I thought this would be a good time to do that. We have a lot of new breeders, getting their very first start in cattle. There are some important bovine diseases to be aware of, when managing a herd of breeding cattle. I get a ton of questions about buying bulls and I am surprised by how many people have not heard of Trichomoniasis ( STD in cattle.)
Cattle trichomoniasis or “trich” is a reportable, sexually transmitted disease of cattle caused by the protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus. Trichomoniasis primarily affects beef cattle, however cases have been seen in dairy cattle. Bovine trichomoniasis is not transmittable to humans. Cattle producers can lose valuable income from the extended breeding seasons and diminished calf crops caused by this disease.
I wanted to get the answers to my questions directly from the state agency providing oversight for bovine transmittable diseases, like Trich. I contacted the Texas Animal Health Commission in the fall of 2021, to gather answers for our region. Below are the following questions and answers.
My questions are written in italics.
TAHC Region Director, Dr. Bud Dinges, D.V.M. provided his expertise in regular text format.
1. Who reports cases of Trich? Is it the testing vet or the owner of the animal?
Dr. Dinges answer: The Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab reports all negative and positive results to the TAHC. The testing veterinarian is also responsible for reporting positive test results within 24-48 hours.
2. What are the state repercussions of someone not properly testing a bull before a sale, if any? For example someone may not test for Trich at all or they could test, but not hold the bull away from breeding females for the 30 day requirement. (This is where I am focusing my education with our breeders. Many people do not know to hold the bull out for 30 days before testing, so I think this is where the mistake is typically made.)
Dr. Dinges answer: It is recommended that the bull be removed from females for two weeks before testing for Trich. Any time a bull “changes hands” – sold, gifted, leased etc. TAHC’s regulations that the test is good for 60 days (as long as the bull has no contact with females (cows/heifers). TAHC’s Compliance division can reprimand/ issue a violation to producer that transfers ownership without a negative Trich test.
3. Does the state get involved in this if a bull tests positive after a sale? Another concern is that a test sample is only as good as the person's technique for getting the sample. My vet really gets in there and makes sure he gets plenty of cells for the lab sample. How would a retrieval error factor into this situation? What does the TAHC advise on that topic? Most buyers are at the mercy of the seller's vet getting a good sample.
Dr. Dinges answer: For regulatory purposes, 1 negative Trich test is all that is required for change of possession of a breeding age bull. I recommend to all producers to have their own private practitioner do a complete breeding soundness evaluation on the newly acquired bull. I also recommend that their veterinarian test the bull one (possibly two times) prior to exposing the bull in the cow herd. Strength in the number of tests is the name of the game so to speak. By doing a BSE and Trich Test(s) prior to turn out the new owner can have peace of mind that they are exposing a satisfactory potential breeder to their cow herd and one that is Trich negative.
4. What if someone has a bull that tests positive for Trich…is there a time period or allowance for him being retested before it must be culled? Like a confirmed second test?
Dr. Dinges answer: The owner or their veterinarian can request that a “positive” bull be retested. This request should be made in writing (email is OK) to the TAHC Region Director. The bull must have two negative tests after having a Positive Trich test to be considered Trich free.
5. What if a bull is positive, what is the state protocol or oversight ( if any) on when this bull would need to be culled? Is there a time period? This question is related to someone maybe wanting to feed out a bull before processing.
Dr. Dinges answer: A positive bull must be sold/sent to slaughter. A TAHC inspector will permit the bull directly to slaughter or the bull may be permitted to a livestock market to be sold to slaughter. The bull is verified that it arrives at the livestock market and then is sold to a packer (slaughter) buyer. TAHC’s Market inspector will issue a second permit for the bull going to slaughter. It is then verified by the TAHC or the USDA that the bull was slaughtered. A positive bull may be sold to / or placed into a TAHC registered Trich feeding facility. The bull is permitted into and out of the facility. It is verified that the bull is then slaughtered. An untested bull may be permitted from a ranch or livestock market to a Trich feeding facility. At the end of the feeding period the bull is permitted out of the facility to a livestock market to be resold for slaughter or permitted directly to slaughter from the feeding facility. The bull must be tested for Trich (negative) prior to being placed back into herd for breeding purposes.
6. Once a bull is culled does this farmer have to show proof that the animal was culled? What is the legal oversight if any on this matter?
Dr. Dinges answer: This is verified by our permitting process. The bull is officially identified at the time of testing. He is tracked by the official ID.
7. I have not heard of any positive tests in our breed, in Texas but one day it may happen as the breed is becoming more popular each day. I want to have the proper answers for our breeders so they can follow proper prevention and treatment protocol.
Dr. Dinges answer: Surveillance is the name of the game. Bulls are considered the sentinel animal. There is really not a good test for cows/heifers. It is thought that the female will clear the infection after many months/ heat cycles of sexual rest. Keep in mind that a positive female can maintain a viable pregnancy, deliver a live calf and serve as a vector for the disease the next breeding season (This is about 1 out of 100 in an infected cow). Bulls considered to be infected for life. There is no approved treatment in the US for Trich in cattle.
A couple last thoughts by Jennifer Hunt, please understand that very young bulls should not have a BSE, as they may not be mature enough to pass the test. They need to be of breeding age and it would also be advised to not do a BSE during extreme temperatures as that can impact results as well. I would venture to guess that most Dexter bulls are sold without doing a BSE, even if of breeding age. I however would strongly encourage and remind everyone that it is required to do a proper Trich test when selling, leasing etc non-virgin bulls. I also understand that it is not likely that a seller will allow their bull to be taken far away to a buyer's vet for this Trich test. This is when it may be advised to confirm a second negative test, once you get him to your farm, and before you let him in to breed your heifers and cows. For the seller and buyer's sake I would also include this information and proof of negative test ( non-virgin bulls) when doing your bill of sale or sale's contract.
Texas Animal Health Commission
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