Cattle producers, along with their veterinarians, face a number of challenges in preventing losses due to bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus. Our understanding of the epidemiology of the BVD virus has advanced and, with recent developments in diagnostic methodology, it's now possible to control this important disease.

Important steps for BVD virus control include herd surveillance to determine the presence of virus, bio-containment to eliminate the virus from herds where it's present, and biosecurity to keep the virus out of herds where it's absent.

Each step of BVD virus control requires commitment from cattle producers and their veterinarians. Although it requires effort, these challenges can be overcome and BVD virus can be successfully controlled on beef cattle operations.
— David R. Smith is a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension veterinarian.