Trichomoniasis (or trich, pronounced “trick”) and other venereal diseases can result in large numbers of open cows at the end of the breeding season, and cause enormous economic losses in the cow-calf sector. Good diagnostic tests are available for trich, but these tests require that bulls be tested three times, one week apart, with no breeding activity in between.
A recently-completed research project funded by the National Check-off and Canada’s Beef Science Cluster studied whether samples from multiple bulls could be pooled together and tested as a group using PCR trich tests. If effective, pooling strategies would make testing for trich more affordable and feasible during routine breeding soundness examinations.
The research found that pooled sampling for trich testing is an effective screening tool. The optimal pool size will depend on the expected number of positive bulls; with more positive bulls, smaller pools should be used. Three (3) tested samples per bull is still recommended before considering them negative.
To learn more about this research, view the fact sheet: http://www.beefresearch.ca/factsheet.cfm/a-more-efficient-screening-test-for-trichomoniasis-161
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Reproductive Failure
BeefResearch.ca
http://www.beefresearch.ca/research-topic.cfm/reproductive-failure-3
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Thanks for the article. Interesting to note the many issues behind growing our herd and another great example of how animal welfare continues to be top of mind with today’s farming families.