Herd Health Spotlight

Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD)

As part of our continued commitment to transparency and education, we want to spotlight a disease that can impact cattle herds across the country. In our newsletter last quarter, we covered Johne’s Disease. In this blog, we're taking a closer look at Bovine Viral Diarrhea—commonly known as BVD—and how our team at Wilders is proactively protecting our herd and yours from its effects.

What is BVD—and Why Does It Matter?

BVD is a contagious viral disease that affects cattle of all ages and can cause a wide range of issues, including respiratory disease, reproductive failure, and suppressed immune function. It’s particularly dangerous because of its ability to produce Persistently Infected (PI) animals—calves born carrying the virus for life. These PI animals shed the virus constantly, posing a serious threat to herd health and biosecurity if not properly identified and managed. For seedstock producers like us, the stakes are especially high. BVD can compromise fertility, reduce weight gain, and increase susceptibility to other diseases, all of which undermine genetic progress and long-term herd performance.

Our Approach to BVD Prevention.

At Wilders Wagyu, proactive prevention is a cornerstone of our herd health program. Every heartbeat on the farm has been ear-notched, and every calf that is born is also ear-notched at birth. This test is more reliable than blood. The combination of this ensures we manage a BVD free herd. 

This level of testing provides confidence not only to our team, but to everyone who invests in Wilders genetics. We believe in raising cattle that are as healthy as they are high-performing—and that starts with eliminating disease risk before it ever has a chance to take hold.

Protecting Integrity. Ensuring Confidence.

From our daily protocols to our long-term herd management plans, maintaining herd health is a responsibility we take seriously. We know that those who buy from Wilders are trusting us with the future of their own programs—and we’re doing the work behind the scenes to make sure that trust is well-placed.

With StayWILD’25 on the horizon, these measures are more important than ever. The 100% Fullblood Wagyu cattle featured in this year’s offering are backed by the same rigorous health protocols and genetic standards our program is built on. When you invest in Wilders 100% Fullblood Wagyu, you’re investing in a program where integrity runs deep—and herd health is never an afterthought.