Does everyone test bucks for CAE?

Donna1982 · #1 11/11/12, 06:09 PM

I was wondering does everyone test their bucks and wethers every year for CAE? We are about to send in samples and was wondering if I should on the two wethers and our little buck who came from a CAE free herd. We do not have tons of money to spend but we want to good breeders. So thoughts please.

**mygoat** · #2 11/11/12, 06:25 PM

Personally, I wouldn't be TOO concerned with it if you have at least 2 negative test results under their belt and NO new stock has been introduced in that time. I'd go to testing every other year.

I think testing every year is rather silly for most herds, but people do it anyways because it's expected by buyers. Nobody wants to loose a buyer - but then again, somtimes the cost just isn't justified.

So the short answer is - most people who test, probably do bucks every year. To claim negative HERD, you must test EVERYTHING (even wethers).

That's why I try to keep as few wethers as possible. But my bigger problem right now is my 3 'worthless' pet mini does, lol.

Biotracking has CAE tests for only 4.00. Can't beat that! And if you want to send to WADDL for other tests, you can ask BioTracking to forward your blood samples to WADDL for no extra cost (you still have to pay WADDLS 10.00 acession fee).

CaliannG · #3 11/11/12, 06:57 PM

I test everything on the place. But that is because, although horizontal contagion isn't *common*, it is still *possible*, so I want to make sure of my herd's health.

I sell kids every year, so I test every year. Buyers get their very own copy of my test results to go with their kid purchases. Doing a complete and full testing on the dams costs me about $25 per goat (CAE, CL, Johne's, Brucella). however, because I have that piece of paper that says "Negative", I get between $35-$50 MORE from the offspring, so the testing tends to pay for itself.

If I was just going to eat anything that I didn't want to keep, though, I would not bother testing every year. I would get three clean tests and just stop, only testing when I had something new come here.

southerngurl · #4 11/11/12, 08:13 PM

I don't test every year, no. My bucks don't live with my does, only hand breed and they come from CAE free farms as well.

Donna1982 · #5 11/11/12, 10:22 PM

I was planning on for sure testing everyone this round and since I want to be able to say we test and we have a clean herd I will continue to do everyone. That way when I lay my head down at night I can sleep with a clear mind. Oh this is going to be fun pulling blood on Booboo lol. Hurry up mom and get here your baby girl needs your vet tech know how lol. Thanks everyone.

nehimama · #6 11/12/12, 06:41 AM

Generally, yes, I do include the bucks in CAE testing. When I claim that I have a CAE-free herd, I want that to mean EVERY ONE.

KrisD · #7 11/12/12, 07:18 AM

I no longer own bucks but I have before. Everyone tested every year across the board. Cheap insurance I call it. If I ever lost my mind and got another buck he would be tested every year.

"SPIKE" · #8 11/12/12, 08:36 AM

I guess I am not a good goat owner, since I have tested none of my goats. I purchased from what was supposed to be a clean herd and have seen no signs of any problems. They have not been here 2 years yet and do not get visitors. I guess time will tell and I do keep a watchful eye.

SPIKE

farmmom · #9 11/12/12, 12:13 PM

I did when I still had him.

copperpennykids · #10 11/12/12, 05:04 PM

Remember that tests on goats under one year of age are inconclusive.

We have been negative for CAE forever (actually started with CAE negative stock and just stayed that way), but we always test every year, including mature bucks.

We never test young stock (see that as a waste of money, especially considering the status of my herd) as the test is inconclusive. If I thought the test was of value, I would do it - otherwise they wait until they are over 12 months of age.

With that said, if this was a purchase I would probably do a test anyhow - $4.00 is a lot less than you are spending on postage for mailing the blood tests on your mature does anyway, and if you can get a breeding fee because of due diligence, that just paid for the test and then some.

copperpennykids · #11 11/12/12, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "SPIKE"

I guess I am not a good goat owner, since I have tested none of my goats. I purchased from what was supposed to be a clean herd and have seen no signs of any problems. They have not been here 2 years yet and do not get visitors. I guess time will tell and I do keep a watchful eye.

SPIKE

Lots of goats have CAE but no obvious symptoms - may show up as they hit 4 and 5 years old. Testing is cheap insurance and peace of mind, for yourself and others purchasing from you.

**mygoat** · #12 11/12/12, 06:22 PM

CAE tests are effective at determining infection status as young as 6 months of age. Before then, you have issues with possible exposure during drinking postive, pasteurized milk - which may not cause infection, but can still trigger the immune response that the ELISA is looking for.

Of course, this is relying on a weaning age of about 8-12 weeks... so if you're feeding longer, this may be an issue for longer than 6 months.

BUT - I agree, if your herd is negative and has been since inception - no need to test younger than a year of age.

The ELISA test is super accurate. Unless they are exposed and 'catch' it somewhere, goats years down the road are not going to convert from a previous negative status to a postive one, unless there was an exposure/infection between testings.

Therefore, if your goats don't leave the farm and you don't bring new stuff in (or bring in only tested stock), there really should be no need to test every stinkin' year. It's a huge expense in prouction, for answers you already know.

Now, if you risked exposure/infection through shows, or poor biosecurity practices, I could see the use in testing yearly... otherwise, its a waste of money.

That being said, I do it. Because it's expected and theoretically, I *should* make my money back on breeding stock sales. But, especially with meat herds or in years where you get all dairy bucklings, that's probably not the case.

All in all, I think there are more practical ways it can be done, but until more practical routine testing is seen as acceptable by the industry, I'll test every year - because it's expected of me. Even though Im pretty sure that my 11 year old doe - who has been tested every year since she was like 3 years old - is STILL going to be negative this year...

**mygoat** · #13 11/12/12, 06:27 PM

The main reason to test, IMO, is so some poor 4H kid doesn't have to butcher their beloved dairy goats they bought from you. I went through that myself. Butchered my two CAE positive does when I was 16 years old, bawling the entire time. (I wasn't in 4H, but most kids who buy goats are). All because a big name show breeder sold a doe to me, knowing CAE was rampant in her herd and knowing disease status was a big deal to me. I didn't know better at the time, and when I asked she said she practices 'CAE prevention'... which to my understanding at the time, included testing. Apparently not in her opionion, and I never asked for test results...

Sure enough, that positive girl infected my other (who stole milk from the milk bucket), and I put them in the freezer myself. I could have just put them down, but I felt it was more respectful to them to use them. I don't get attached to animals much anymore, I admit - hardened heart and all - but I still tear up when thinking of my beloved Dance and Heidi. That's where my love of Alpines all started.

I never want to imagine a goat I sold to a 4H'er has to be put in the freezer or sold to the meat man because of my actions.