Colorado sees slowing spread of deadly cattle STD

The spread of a venereal disease that can cause cows to lose their calves appears to be slowing in Colorado, and state agriculture officials plan to strengthen policies to keep it that way. Trichomoniasis (trik-oh-moh-NIE-ah-sis), or "trich," is of particular concern in the West, where grazing associations and permits for grazing on public land allow cattle to co-mingle. Dozens of Colorado producers were hit with trich last year. Some 43 cattle facilities in 18 counties were quarantined so infected bulls wouldn't spread the sexually transmitted disease. So far this year, 13 facilities in eight counties have been quarantined, according to the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Four counties had quarantines as of July 30. "We are doing better," said state veterinarian Keith Roehr, citing the quarantines, better education about trich among producers and more testing this year. "There's a lot of awareness on the part of producers that, in the end, will be beneficial to the cattle industry in Colorado."...AP