SIX of the region’s auction marts are to operate a suckler calf health protection scheme in this autumn’s sales which could attract premium prices for sellers.

The marts involved are Darlington, Thirsk, Hexham, Rothbury, Acklington and Scot’s Gap.

The SureCalf spring born suckler calf scheme involves their vaccination pre-sale against three pneumonia viruses – RSV, P13 and IBR – and the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) virus.

It involves two doses given three to four weeks apart, the second at least two weeks before sale, costing the seller up to about £15 a head.

Colin Penny, regional vet for Pfizer Animal Health who created the scheme, said the objective was to minimise the impact of respiratory disease on animal performance following the stress of the sale, and the move from breeder to finisher.

He said: “The advantage to buyers is that SureCalf cattle are already vaccinated against four viruses commonly associated with postpurchase respiratory disease.

“For sellers, the programme can help maintain a reputation for offering high performance calves with sound health status, and earn a price premium.”

Last autumn, more than 3,000 SureCalf-certified calves were sold at marts in Scotland and a few in northern England.

Over its four years in operation before this year, buyers were prepared to pay an average £34 a head premium over similar types of noncertified animals.

For calves to qualify for the scheme, sellers must register at least two weeks before sale, either online or by phone, providing details of animals vaccinated and vaccine used.

They are sent a declaration on which to self-certify that the cattle have been vaccinated and registered, and a SureCalf voucher for each animal to accompany its passport to the buyer.

Mr Penny said: “Minimising respiratory disease means reduced handling, less stress on animals and workforce, lower medicine costs and better animal performance.”

SureCalf registration contacts are surecalf.co.uk or 0800 668 1886. Farmers are also encouraged to approach their auctioneer about any aspects of the programme or their vet.