AZDA Brand Ad

AZDA issue highlight T r i c h o m o n i a s i s R u l e Written by Peter Mundschenk DVM, Arizona State Veterinarian, Arizona Department of Agriculture

Trichomoniasis (Trich) has been recognized as a venereal disease of cattle that has been caused issues for western herds since at least the early 1950s. Trich has an impact on the reproductive performance of infected herds through fetal losses and decreased pounds of calf at weaning. Characteristics of this disease such as venereal transmission and typically transient female infections lend itself t o control. However, unapparent, chronic infections in older bulls have been an obstacle to eliminating trichomoniasis from many extensively managed cattle due to the economic implications of trich, the Arizona Cattlemen put together a rule at the annual Summer Meeting in 2017. The new rule went into effect June 8, 2020 and includes the change of ownership testing of bulls. “Change of ownership” means when a bull is sold, leased, gifted, or exchanged and changes premises for breeding purposes in Arizona. Under the new rule, the official test for import into Arizona, or for the change of ownership within state lines, is the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Culture and pooled samples can be used for annual diagnostic tests when used as part of a preventative herd health plan. However, they are not considered official tests for regulatory purposes such as change of ownership or importation. Official testing shall be done by an accredited veterinarian and an official USDA tag needs to be placed in the bull and recorded on the testing form. The official trichomoniasis test is now applicable for 30 days prior to importation and 60 days for in state change of ownership if the bull is isolated fr om all female cattle after testing. An approved laboratory and the veterinarian are required to immediately report any positive test results to the State Veterinarian’s Office. Such report should include the official animal ID ear tag, brand, owner name, address, telephone.

If a bull tests positive, the same veterinarian will then return to the ranch verify the ID of the bull and brand the bull with an "S" brand adjacent to the tail head on the right hip. If the veterinarian cannot return to the ranch in a time that is reasonable for sale of the bull, the producer shall take the positive T. foetus bull directly to the regional livestock sale yard. The producer shall immediately not ify the sale yard of the positive T. foetus bull and it will be “S” branded. Failure to notify the sale yard of the positive T. foetus bull will result in a violation of this rule and the producer shall be subject to the penalties of A.R.S. § 3-1205(D).

The new rule requires that bulls over 12 months of age being imported, or changing ownership, must be tested negative for trichomoniasis.

This means is if you take your bull over 12 months to an auction, it must have a negative trich test done by an accredited veterinarian to sell as a breeding bull. If you do not have a trich test, you can make arrangements to have testing done at the sale yard and be sold after a negative test, as long as the bull has not been with cows 7 days prior to coming to the sale.