Episode 308 - Battling BLV – Updates on Bovine Leukosis Virus in the UMN Herd - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

The Moos Room™

In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad shares updates on the University of Minnesota’s ongoing work with bovine leukosis virus (BLV), a retrovirus that weakens the immune system, reduces production, and costs dairy farmers hundreds of dollars per cow each year.

Brad walks through the latest herd testing results, where prevalence has held steady at around 30%, but with new infections continuing to appear—especially in older cows. He digs into the role of biting flies in BLV transmission, highlighting research showing that nearly all previously negative cows became suspect or positive after just one summer on pasture.

The discussion covers:

• How BLV spreads within herds.
• The economic and animal health impacts of infection.
• Management strategies like testing, culling, colostrum protocols, and breeding decisions.
• Why fly control may be one of the most important tools for reducing BLV spread in grazing herds.

Tune in to hear how the UMN Morris dairy herd is tackling this challenge, what the research says about seasonality and transmission, and what steps farmers can take to manage BLV on their own operations.

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