The industry-led scheme aims to eliminate bovine viral diarrhoea from all herds in the country by 2022 by storing individual and herd test results for the virus.
The 1,000 herd milestone has been achieved with support from 100 vet practices which are supporting the scheme and working with farmers to improve animal health. A proactive approach, such as tag testing calves, is more cost effective for farmers than dealing with a chronic infection.
Emyr Rowlands of Willow Farm Vets, Cheshire said: “Knowing a herd’s BVD status and understanding farm-specific risk factors is now an essential part of herd health planning. Farms which remove persistently infected animals notice a rapid improvement in calf health and fertility.
“Registering with BVDFree England provides a framework for those selling stock and gives buyers confidence in the BVD status of the purchased animals. No farm can afford not to be free from BVD.”
Read more about BVD and why it's important to join the scheme here.