The fifth National BVD Survey has gone live – so look out for survey forms in this week's edition of The Scottish Farmer.

The survey closes on January 31, 2020 and 10 lucky entrants will be selected to win an Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker.

Since the survey first began five years ago, a lot has changed when it comes to BVD control:

• BVD eradication schemes now exist in all parts of the UK.

• Testing and surveillance options have improved.

• Data showing herd BVD status is widely available.

• Marts and auction houses support clear identification of stock.

• Clear price bonuses exist for stock of known BVD virus status.

The annual BVD Survey gathers information from all parts of the UK and all types of farming system to gain a snapshot of what producers are doing on their farm to control and eradicate this costly disease.

This information is then analysed and can be important when it comes to future policy. Farmers are being encouraged to take part in the survey which will help give a better understanding of the impact of the disease.

Efforts to eradicate it are working. The graphics show just how prevalent it was in Scotland in 2013 and how Scotland's BVD programme had significantly reduced its incidence by 2018.

* Farmers should also check their email inboxes for the survey, or take a look at www.bvdsurvey.co.uk