Cattle producers, industry representatives, and veterinarians from across Australia gathered at Springton Hall on 22 October for the Barossa Improved Grazing Group Pestivirus Workshop.
The rare deep dive into pestivirus (also known as BVDV) featured two of Australia’s leading pestivirus experts - Professor Michael McGowan of the University of Queensland, and WA based Veterinarian Dr Enoch Bergman. Both experts highlighted the widespread prevalence of pestivirus across Australia and its significant economic impact, primarily through reproductive losses and premature deaths in cattle.
Attendees received a comprehensive overview of how pestivirus spreads and its effects on herd health, followed by practical, on-farm strategies to mitigate risk and prevent future outbreaks. With transmission occurring through direct contact with carrier animals, the workshop focused on identifying and removing ‘persistently infected’ (PI) cattle combined with implementing vaccination programs to build herd immunity.
“Whilst it was gratifying to see cattle producers and vets attend the workshop, and help provide them with the knowledge and tools to manage this significant cattle disease, more will need to be done in the future if we are to make an impact. Pesti virus knows no boundaries but what we do here in South Australia will ultimately make an impact nationally" said event organiser, BIGG Board Member and Barossa cattle producer Julian Maul.
This event has been proudly supported by the SA Cattle Industry Fund and PIRSA through the Connecting Communities Events Grant.
This is a Connecting Communities Event sponsored by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions under the Family and Business Support Program as part of the State Government’s $73 million Drought Support Package.
