News

Bovine trichomoniasis found in SD cattle herd

Bovine trichomoniasis (trich) has been detected in a South Dakota cattle herd.  The disease is transmitted between cows and bulls during breeding and can cows to miscarry early in their pregnancy. 

Producers can be unaware of the problem until the disease is well-established in the herd. Some signs that the disease could be present include a higher number of open and late-calving cows. 

The disease was found in a beef cattle herd in Oglala Lakota County.  Producers are being urged to take extra precautions to prevent their herd from being infected and the South Dakota Animal Industry Board has implemented rules to help prevent the trich in cattle. 

Those include: Non-virgin bulls must be tested negative for trich prior to being sold, loaned, or leased in South Dakota for breeding purposes.  Any non-virgin bulls entering the state must be tested negative for trich.  Non-virgin, non-pregnant female cattle may not be imported, loaned, leased or acquired for breeding purposes in South Dakota.