Maximising herd health and performance with a “seamless process”

Martin Davin from Rathdowney Co. Laois is a former Tirlán Monitor Farmer. He has been using the Herd Disease Screening Service since 2013 with great results.

Martin was suspicious of an underlying illness in his herd, although, he never had a clinical outbreak of a disease like IBR.

“We’ve been using it since 2013 because we were suspicious that there was something in the herd,” says Martin Davin when commenting on the Tirlán Herd Disease Screening Service. “We had a big result in milk yield and fertility lifted,” he added.

Many diseases can be screened for at herd level by testing a bulk-milk sample. Bulk milk testing is one of the easiest and most economical ways of screening your herd for infectious diseases.

Screening a herd to identify the presence or absence of diseases is the first step towards disease control. Once the disease status of the herd has been recognised, relevant controls can be put in place to maintain or improve cow health.

Post testing, the readings came back from the herd screening and found that IBR was positive in Davin’s herd. He then began a vaccination programme to control the sickness.

“We now use a live vaccine to treat against IBR twice a year and we’ve noticed an improvement in herd health, fertility and milk yield,” said Martin.

The Herd Disease screening Service detects the presence of a disease and also the absence. In Martin’s case, he suffered an outbreak of Salmonella which the Herd Disease Screening Service is helping him monitor.

He has recently seen an increase in Neospora too, which is also monitored by the programme.

“Post-screening we had an outbreak of Salmonella, the herd screening is keeping an eye on this for us. If the results come back positive we can act on the straight away,” said Martin.

Martin had been positive for Liver Fluke through 2015 and has been negative since. The Herd Disease Screening Service, has kept Martin informed of the absence of Fluke. Martin was able to tailor his plan around this and now doses every second year.

Martin found that the interpretation and follow-up action guidelines section of the results was very helpful. He also appreciated the ease of access to the results which come in the post and are available online at Tirlán FarmLife.

When speaking to Martin he outlined the Herd Disease Screening process and how hassle-free it is for our farmers.

“Once I signed up the process was seamless, the lorry driver takes the sample, it goes to the lab where it’s tested and the results come in the post or online at Tirlán FarmLife,” said Martin.

How it works

1. The bulk tank milk samples will be automatically selected and used for disease testing throughout the year making the process simple and easy to use.
2. An explanatory leaflet covering the seven diseases is included with every test result throughout the year. You will also receive a detailed disease information booklet.Consistently low TBC count after installation.
3. The Tirlán farm team, will be there to provide a supported Veterinary advisory service.
4. The results page uses colour coding for easy interpretation and associated follow-up recommended actions.

Suppliers can enrol in the Tirlán Herd Disease Screening Service at any time of the year, but if you wish to be included in the first round of screening tests, please complete the application form which is available here and return to:

Tirlán Ireland, Central Laboratory, Dungarvan Business Park, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford

It is important that all the sections of the application form are fully completed. Please contact your Tirlán Farm Development Manager who will assist with any queries you have.

First Published 02 March 2020