As of Jan. 1, Texas bulls that undergo a change of ownership (except to slaughter) must be either certified as a virgin bull or be tested first for cattle trichomoniasis, a protozoal disease that can cause cows to abort very early in pregnancy.

Infected bulls carry the microscopic “bug” that causes trichomoniasis without any signs and can transmit the single-celled protozoa to cows during breeding.

“There is no effective treatment for bulls, and once infected, they can continue to spread trichomoniasis when they breed,” said Dr. Dee Ellis, state veterinarian and head of the Texas Animal Health Commission, the state’s livestock and poultry regulatory agency.

“Infected cows may clear the infection, but only if they are given rest from breeding for 102 to 150 days -- an expensive option, as a calf crop will be missed. A vaccine also is available to help in the management of infected cows, but it will not prevent infection.”

The country’s western states have longstanding cattle trichomoniasis regulations. About two years ago, the Texas ranching industry requested similar regulations to protect against the introduction and spread of cattle “trich.”

In April 2009, TAHC enacted requirements for bulls entering Texas. In-state regulations were delayed until this year.

“For months, we worked with the Texas cattle industry to inform producers, and we have participated in many meetings about cattle trich and regulations,” said Ellis. “More than 600 accredited private veterinarians in Texas are certified to collect samples for trich testing, and we are ready to implement the intrastate regulations for bulls undergoing a change of ownership in Texas.”

Ellis said regulations apply to bulls being sold, traded, leased or undergoing any change of ownership, except for slaughter. Regulations include the following basic steps.

• Identify the bull. Identification is essential for matching animals with virgin bull certificates or test documents. One form of identification is needed, and it may be an official USDA ear tag, breed registry brand or tatoo, an 840 flat, bangle or an 840 radio frequency identification device. If the bull originated from another state, it may have that state’s official state of origin trichomoniasis ear tag (Texas does not have an official trich ear tag). An accredited veterinarian can apply an official USDA ear tag.

• Certify virgin bulls. A breeder can certify the bull as a virgin if the animal was raised away from cows after weaning, and the bull is 24 months of age or younger. A Texas-origin bull’s virgin status may be extended to 30 months if the virgin certificate is signed also by the breeder’s accredited veterinarian. Virgin bulls are not required to have a trich test prior to change of ownership. Virgin bull certificates are available at no cost on the TAHC Web page at www.tahc.state.tx.us.

• Test older or non-virgin bulls. Bulls older than 30 months or bulls that were maintained with cows after weaning must have a negative trich test within 30 days prior to change of ownership. A certified, accredited veterinarian must collect the sample for testing at the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. While awaiting results, bulls must be kept away from cows. Upon receipt of negative test results, the animal is ready for change of ownership.

“Breeding bulls not certified as virgins or not tested are considered to be slaughter-only bulls,” said Ellis. “In some cases, however, buyers may want an untested bull, although they may be buying trouble. We have provisions for untested bulls to be identified and moved under a TAHC-issued hold order and movement permit. The animal must be isolated from female cattle, and cannot be moved until it is tested within 30 days of purchase at the owner’s expense.”

In Texas, two tests are accepted, said Ellis. “One is the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction test which looks for the DNA of the protozoa. Because only one PCR test is needed to detect infection, this may become the preferred method for producers who want to move cattle more quickly.”

The second acceptable test is the culture test, and it involves looking for protozoa under a microscope. A series of three culture tests is needed, and each is conducted at least seven days apart.

“Because cattle trich is a reportable disease, we will be notified regarding test-positive animals,” said Ellis.

With no effective treatment, infected bulls must go to slaughter within 30 days of confirmation. The remaining bulls in the herd will be held, isolated from female cattle, until they undergo two consecutive negative RT-PCR tests, each conducted at least seven days apart, or three consecutive negative culture tests, with each of the tests at least seven days apart.

When they are confirmed negative for trich, bulls in the remaining herd are free to be moved or to be commingled with cows.

“Cattle trichomoniasis regulations can save cattle producers a lot of money in the long run because this disease greatly affects calf production. If you are obtaining a breeding bull, make sure the animal has been certified as a virgin or was tested -- for your herd’s sake,” said Ellis. “We will be reviewing the regulations on a yearly basis with an industry working group to ensure that the rules remain timely and effective.”

Texas’ trich entry requirements for breeding bulls is similar to intrastate regulations, but allows outof state bulls to be certified as virgins only until 24 months of age. Exhibition or competition bulls may enter Texas without a trich test but must be kept away from female cattle. TAHC must be contacted in advance of entry for a waiver of the requirement to be issued on exhibition bulls.