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Health Initiative
Limousin Herd Health Initiative Continues To Grow
March 2008
25% of all Society registered calves now from herds in health
schemes
Breeders’ participation in The British Limousin Cattle Society’s
Herd Health Initiative has continued to grow with 128 herds, representing
4573 pedigree Limousin calves, having registered for the financially
incentivised initiative. This represents an increase on the year of
20 herds and a further 740 calves.
At the end of the third year of what is initially a four year commitment
by the BLCS, this represents a further growth in uptake of 19%. This
means that of the 18,348 pedigree calves registered with the Society
last year a very encouraging 25% are from herds operating within industry-licenced
health schemes.
The British Limousin Herd Health Initiative offers financial support
to breeders who are making a long term investment into herd health
assurance through being a member of a Cattle Health Certification Standards
(CHeCS) approved scheme. Herds within a CHeCS scheme are able to make
a claim each year based on the numbers of pedigree calves they have
registered in the preceding twelve month period.
To receive the financial support, herds need to adhere to the terms
of a CHeCS licenced scheme and have an approved animal health scheme
in place through either the Biobest Herdcare Scheme, SAC Premium Cattle
Health Scheme, HI Health Scheme, NWL Advance Cattle Health Scheme or
the AFBI Cattle Health Scheme. This must include a whole herd test
for Johne’s disease. As a result of the increased uptake, The
British Limousin Cattle Society will pay out over £9000 to participating
herds for 2007.
Commenting, British Limousin Cattle Society Development Manager Richard
Saunders said: “These figures are very positive and underline
the Society and its members’ commitment to herd health. An extension
of this has been the successful introduction of standardised Herd Health
Sale Declarations in 2007, and now available at all Collective Society
Sales in 2008 and going forward. It is further backed up by the results
of the recent Bull Buyers’ Survey where 94% of respondents confirmed
that herd health status was a significant factor in bull purchase and
selection.”
BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY HERD HEALTH DECLARATIONS AT SALES
download sale health declaration 
Explanatory Notes
Introduction
Following the Herd Health initiative introduced by the Society in 2005,
a second major health step saw the introduction of Herd Health Declarations
and information at Collective Limousin pedigree Sales commencing with
the 2007 May Sale at Carlisle. From 2008 it is being introduced at
all official Collective Society Sales.
A service to customers and breeders
The principal aim of this new step is to standardise herd health declarations
and information presented in order to provide both members and customers
alike with clear, accurate herd health information at the point of
sale and within the given sale catalogue. As such we anticipate it
will be attractive and informative for customers and will again further
raise the level of buyer confidence.
How do the Herd Health Declarations work?
The sale entry form for vendors was accompanied by a Herd Health Declaration
form asking vendors simple questions regarding for example: TB status;
membership of CHeCS health schemes (HI-Health, Biobest Herdcare, SAC
Premium Cattle Health Scheme, NWL Advance Cattle Health Scheme or the
AFBI Cattle Health Scheme) and Johnes, BVD, IBR and LEPTO status.
How is this Herd Health Declaration information presented at the sale?
The Herd Health Declaration information is used primarily in two ways.
Herd Health Declaration cards, based solely on the information provided,
have been produced by the Society for display above each herd’s
pens. To ensure that the cards are visible for members and customers,
one card has been produced for each pen of animals presented by a herd.
A condensed version of the Herd Health sale declaration information
provided also appears in the Vendors’ Index at the front of the
sale catalogue.
What other health information may be displayed?
By definition this is a Herd Health Declaration not an individual animal
declaration. In line with the Society’s overall Herd Health initiative,
health cards provided by members of the CHeCS approved health schemes
are also allowed.
IMPORTANT NOTE: For an individual animal’s test results, or vaccination
histories, regarding BVD, IBR, Lepto or Johnes, these are permitted
above the sale pens only upon presentation of a signed veterinary declaration
to verify that the animal concerned has had a clear test.
What does Accredited Free for Johnes mean?
If a herd has had at least two clear annual Johnes tests, the herd
is declared as being Accredited Free for Johnes. The date the herd
has been Accredited Free since is also indicated on the Herd Health
Declaration cards.
Health footnotes under a given animal in the sale catalogue
For reasons of practicality, no health information notes are to be
put in the catalogue footnotes by vendors. Buyers should refer to the
Vendors’ Index, the Herd Health cards displayed on pens or to
the vendors themselves for all health-related information.
Is the Herd Health Declaration compulsory?
Although not compulsory, the Society has recommended vendors to complete
the Herd Health Declaration. Herd Health Declaration pen cards, however,
are provided only for vendors who have completed the Herd Health Declaration.
In the Vendors’ Index within the catalogue, where a member has
chosen not to complete the Herd Health sale declaration, it will simply
say ‘No Herd Health Declaration.’
Will the auctioneers continue to give health information from the box
at the point of sale?
The Society has requested that no declarations on health information
be given by the auctioneer during the sale. Again, the sole purpose
of this is to avoid confusion and to try and ensure that the information
provided is done accurately, fairly and in a standardised format in
the catalogue and on the animal pens. This point has been agreed with
the auctioneers
What if a vendor is selling an animal/s that he did not breed?
Vendors have still been requested to fill in the Herd Health Sale Declaration
accordingly. Prospective customers are advised to speak to vendors
directly to acquire accurate health information on animals offered
but not bred by the seller.
Feedback & more information
The Society welcomes members’ and customers’ feedback on
the Herd Health Declarations as it is expected that this will be an
evolving initiative. If you have further questions, please speak to
the Society representatives, Iain Kerr & Richard Saunders, or the
Auctioneers.
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