The state is taking steps to stem the spread of a venereal disease affecting cattle that can cause cows to abort calves early in pregnancy.

The disease is bovine trichomoniasis, often called “trich.” It is caused by a single-cell organism spread between bulls and cows during breeding.

New rules for cattle owners went into effect Jan. 1.

The rules mandate that bulls changing ownership must either be certified as virgin bulls, if not kept in contact with females, or be tested for the disease.

Bulls can only be certified virgin on the owner’s word for their first 24 months and 30 months with their veterinarian’s agreement, said Carla Everett, a spokeswoman for the Texas Animal Health Commission.

Once infected, bulls cannot be cured. But cows will usually rid themselves of the disease if they are not bred for four to five months, she said.

Infected bulls must be sent to slaughter within 30 days of detection under the rules.

Giving the cow time off is expensive for ranchers because it is enough to miss an entire calf crop, Everett said.

Raisers need to work with their veterinarians on getting the disease cleared from cows.

In the few female cases that cannot be cleared, the animals need to be sent to slaughter, she said.

No danger to humans exists from eating meat from animals infected with the disease, Everett said.

“A cow that doesn’t clear should be hamburger,” she said.

Exhibition and competition bulls are exceptions to testing and virgin certification.

They may enter the state without a test, but they must be isolated from cows.

A waiver from the commission must be obtained before the bulls can come into the state.

Regulations take hold

Several Western states already had rules in effect. The regulations appear to be spreading gradually across the country state-by-state, Everett said.

There are about 14 million head of cattle in Texas, she said.

Jon Johnson, director of commodities and regulatory activities for the Waco-based Texas Farm Bureau, said the latest numbers from 2008 show

McLennan County had about 103,000 head of cattle.

Not taking care of business with trich testing can be expensive for ranchers, Johnson said.

“It will cause the loss of a calf crop,” he said. “You have to pull all the cows from the bulls that could be infected, then you have to sell your bulls. And you’ll have to replace them.”

It can take several years for a herd to recover, Johnson said.

Dave Scott, president of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, said trich has not proven to be a major problem yet in Texas.

The new rules fit the current threat well, Scott said.

Raisers who repeatedly breach the rules when selling or otherwise turning over cattle to others face penalties of as much as $1,000, depending on the type of offense, Everett said.

Information about the regulations is available online at www.tahc.state.tx.us.

bteeter@wacotrib.com

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