Thirteen South Dakota beef herds in five counties have been diagnosed with Trichomoniasis disease. It was detected in herds starting in December of 2015 until just recently in Oglala Lakota, Dewey, Corson, Ziebach and Gregory counties. Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. Mendel Miller says that’s a big increase from previous years.

The disease is transmitted between cows and bulls during breeding activity. Once established in the female reproductive tract, it causes an inflammatory action leading to abortion. Miller says it’s a disease that has to be managed because there is no vaccine for it.

Miller recommends producers have their bulls tested this spring for the disease.

Miller advises producers to consult with their local herd veterinarian for more information regarding the risk of trich in their herd.