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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 14th January 2016
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BVA welcomes TB genetic index
Cows
The index is expected to play a part in the plan to eradicate bTB from UK farming.
Set to help in the fight against bovine TB.

The BVA have welcomed a new genetic index which is set to help in the fight against bovine TB.
 
The TB Advantage index, to be published next Tuesday (19 January), will give an indication of an animal's genetic susceptibility to bTB by highlighting those which may be more prone to infection, or those which have a higher degree of resistance to the disease.

By selecting bulls with a high TB advantage score, farmers will be able to breed better resistance into their herd, which will accumulate over the generations leading to long-term benefits.

Used alongside existing bTB control measures, the index is expected to play a part in the plan to eradicate bTB from UK farming.

Welcoming the move, BVA President Sean Wensley said: “This pioneering index is another valuable asset that can be used in the fight against bovine TB, as part of a comprehensive strategy to control and eradicate the disease in the UK.

"As with the use of any genetic index, farmers and vets need to evaluate the benefits of selecting for different traits within a breeding programme against the compromises it might bring in other areas of animal health, as part of an overall breeding strategy.”

The index is the first in the world to be developed to help farmers breed better resistance to bTB into their herds.

It will be expressed on a scale which typically runs from -3 to +3, similar to many genetic indexes farmers are familiar with using. The average TB Advantage for all bulls with an index is zero.

Almost all Holstein bulls will have an index, and those female Holsteins which have had their genotype measured will also be scored for TB Advantage.

The initial index run for Holstein bulls will be published at the British Cattle Conference on 19 January. Following this, the TB Advantage will be published by AHDB Dairy as part of the routine genetic evaluations three times a year.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.