In an extension of Herd Health policy, the British Limousin Cattle Society is set to introduce the standardisation of herd health declarations and information at Collective Society Sales commencing with the 2007 May Sale at Carlisle on 5th May.
The principal aim will be to provide breeders and customers alike with standard, clear, and accurate herd health information at the point of sale and within the given sale catalogue. It is anticipated that the standardising of herd health information will be introduced at all BLCS official collective sales in due course.
At the time of entry vendors have been asked to complete Herd Health questions regarding for example: TB status; Brucellosis status; membership of CHeCS health schemes plus Johnes, BVD, IBR and LEPTO status.
This information is to be used in two ways. A condensed version of the Herd Health sale declaration information will be produced in a Vendor’s Index within the respective sale catalogue. This will be supplemented by Herd Health sale declaration cards, based on the information provided, produced by the Society for display above each herd’s pens.
The information requested has been kept simple to make it clear and understandable for members and customers. Helpful explanatory notes will also be included within the sale catalogue for members and customers.
Commenting, Iain Kerr, the BLCS Chief Executive said, “Standardising Herd Health information at sales will help to increase understanding, accuracy and transparency of health information. As such it will be attractive to customers and help to again raise the level of buyer confidence. ”
