Nematode control in suckler beef cattle over their first two grazing seasons using a targeted selective treatment approach.

Background: With concerns over the development of anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematode populations, we must re-examine our approach to nematode control in cattle. Targeted selective treatments (TST), whereby individual animals are treated instead of entire groups, are being investigated as an alternative. The study objective was to determine if anthelmintic usage could be reduced using a TST-based approach to nematode control in spring-born suckler beef cattle over their first and second grazing seasons (SGS) without affecting performance.

Disease screening profiles and colostrum management practices on 16 Irish suckler beef farms.

Background: Calf output is a key element in determining the profitability of a suckler beef enterprise. Infectious agents such as Bovine Virus Diarrhoea (BVD) virus, colostrum management and parasitic challenge can all affect calf output. Prior to the national BVD eradication programme, there was little published information on either the prevalence or effect of BVD in Irish beef herds.

Herd health status and management practices on 16 Irish suckler beef farms.

Background: There have been few studies published internationally which document herd health management practices in suckler beef herds and no published Irish studies. The study objective was to document herd health status and management practices on sixteen Irish suckler beef herds over a two year period (2009-2010). The farms used in the study were part of the Teagasc BETTER farm beef programme.

Comparison of methods for identifying resistant herpes simplex virus and measuring antiviral susceptibility.

Background: A number of in vitro assays are used to determine susceptibility of HSV to antiviral agents, but results from these in vitro assays do not necessarily correlate with treatment outcome.

Objectives: A method with improved capability for identifying an isolate as acyclovir (ACV) or penciclovir (PCV) resistant when resistance is borderline could greatly improve the management of HSV disease.

Study Design: A comparative evaluation of four in vitro assays, plaque reduction (PRA), DNA hybridization, plating efficiency (PEA) and plaque autoradiography (PAR) was performed to accurately identify and measure resistance of a TK-altered clinical HSV isolate (HSV-1 N4) from a patient who was non-responsive to ACV treatment.