Leptospirosis rampant in dairy herds

SUCKLER beef farmers could be losing substantial income due to a disease called leptospirosis, a nationwide study has revealed.

The study, which involved tests on 4,200 animals, was conducted by Eoin Ryan, School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine in UCD and sponsored by Schering Plough Animal Health.

It shows that almost half of all animals in suckler herds are positive for leptospirosis and 99% of all suckler herds have shown evidence of exposure to the disease.

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease causing abortions, weak calves and sudden drops in milk yields. It is prevalent in dairy herds where 90% of farmers vaccinate against the disease.

Fergal Morris, veterinary specialist with Schering Plough Animal Health, said the results show that up to 9,000 herds could be suffering significant economic losses due to leptospirosis. The loss on these farms could be as high as €150 per cow.

Mr Morris advised that all female animals destined for breeding should receive a primary injection of a vaccine at six to nine months of age followed by a booster injection four to six weeks later.

On most farms, an annual booster vaccination is usually sufficient to maintain immunity. All bought-in breeding stock, including bulls, should be vaccinated before being mixed with the herd.