projects : technical : herd health at sales
Herd Health at Sales
BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY HERD HEALTH
DECLARATIONS AT SALES
download herd health declaration
form  (784k)
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.
News release - April 2007
Limousin Herd Health Declarations Introduced at Carlisle May
2007 Sale
In an extension of Herd Health policy, the British Limousin Cattle
Society is set to introduce the standardisation of herd health declarations
and information at Collective Society Sales commencing with the 2007
May Sale at Carlisle on 5th May.
The principal aim will be to provide breeders and customers alike
with standard, clear, and accurate herd health information at the point
of sale and within the given sale catalogue. It is anticipated that
the standardising of herd health information will be introduced at
all BLCS official collective sales in due course.
At the time of entry vendors have been asked to complete Herd Health
questions regarding for example: TB status; Brucellosis status; membership
of CHeCS health schemes plus Johnes, BVD, IBR and LEPTO status.
This information is to be used in two ways. A condensed version of
the Herd Health sale declaration information will be produced in a
Vendor’s Index within the respective sale catalogue. This will
be supplemented by Herd Health sale declaration cards, based on the
information provided, produced by the Society for display above each
herd’s pens.
The information requested has been kept simple to make it clear and
understandable for members and customers. Helpful explanatory notes
will also be included within the sale catalogue for members and customers.
Commenting, Iain Kerr, the BLCS Chief Executive said, “Standardising
Herd Health information at sales will help to increase understanding,
accuracy and transparency of health information. As such it will be
attractive to customers and help to again raise the level of buyer
confidence. ”
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