Economic, Reproductive, and Performance Effects of PI BVD in Commercial Cattle Operations

Managing to Minimize Losses

Abstract

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection can cause a range of reproductive, performance, and health problems in commercial cow herds. The primary reservoir of BVDV is cattle persistently infected (PI) with the virus, and BVDV is most commonly introduced into a herd through contact with a PI animal. The economic loss in a given herd varies due to factors such as herd immunity and the timing of PI introduction into the herd. Losses due to BVDV are minimized by initiating a biocontrol strategy that includes testing for PI cattle and vaccinating to enhance herd immunity.