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All articles about Bluetongue

Bluetongue is a viral disease that affects sheep, cattle, goats, deer and other ruminants, spread mainly by biting midges.
Farmers Weekly brings together the latest news, expert insight and practical guidance to help farmers understand the risks and make informed decisions.

Advice and tips

BLUETONGUE

Fertility checks urged amid bluetongue infection fallout

Farmers are advised to scan all cows this autumn to establish what’s in-calf and which animals are empty following bluetongue infection this summer. There is a potentially “scary” spring calving…

BLUETONGUE

Farmers told 'not too late' to vaccinate against bluetongue

Dairy farmers are being urged to vaccinate against BTV-3 if they haven’t already, with vets warning midges are still active and the disease will overwinter. “Everybody in England should consider…

LIVESTOCK DISEASES

Bluetongue: What farmers need to know as cases climb

Bluetongue cases are continuing to spread from the initial north Devon hotspot, with vets reporting a sharp increase in calls from concerned farmers. Tom Clarke, clinical director at Synergy Farm…

LIVESTOCK DISEASES

Advice for dealing with bluetongue as cases spread rapidly

North Devon-based Torch Farm and Equine Vets were called out to their first suspected case of bluetongue (BTV) on 7 July. In less than a month (up to 3 August),…

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Case studies

LIVESTOCK DISEASES

How bluetongue vaccination decisions affected two flocks

There was never any doubt that David Rendle would vaccinate his flock for bluetongue. He had done so last year, when there were few cases in his area, and this…

LIVESTOCK DISEASES

How timely bluetongue vaccine prevents dummy calves

A bluetongue vaccination uptake of only 50% among the suckler herd clients of a South East vet practice has been followed by several cases of dummy calves in unprotected herds.…

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Insights

NEWS

Bluetongue: Is the UK’s strategy keeping pace?

The rapid spread of bluetongue this summer has reignited the debate over whether government and industry have done enough to prepare for a disease that many now believe is becoming…

LIVESTOCK DISEASES

Low vaccination rate leaves livestock exposed to bluetongue

With bluetongue disease knocking on the door, and with less than 3% of the nation’s ruminant livestock vaccinated, government and private vets are urging a much more rapid uptake of…

HEALTH AND WELFARE

Analysis: What farmers need to know about bluetongue

The current outbreak of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) is likely to get worse in the coming weeks before it improves, warn industry leaders. Since the first case in this…

LIVESTOCK

Q&A: All you need to know about bluetongue disease

With bluetongue disease on the increase again in mainland Europe and with midge activity expected to gather pace as the weather warms up, Farmers Weekly spoke to Defra deputy chief…

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News

NEWS

Bluetongue vaccine stocks were diverted from UK to Europe

Bluetongue vaccine stocks were redirected from Britain to European markets earlier this year after low demand from farmers left manufacturers facing potential wastage. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) confirmed that…

LIVESTOCK

Disease surveillance under strain as outbreaks surge

Serious livestock diseases could slip through the net as Britain’s animal health services struggle to cope with multiple outbreaks, MPs have been warned. The NFU raised concerns about disease surveillance…

LIVESTOCK DISEASES

Rare breed farmers struggle to access bluetongue vaccines

Farmers keeping rare breeds are struggling to access bluetongue vaccines, raising concerns about the threat the disease poses to vulnerable native livestock populations. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) has…

NEWS

Devon farmers to receive renewed support following bluetongue

Devon County Council has approved up to £180,000 over three years under its Rural Support and Wellbeing Programme, helping farmers facing the ongoing impacts of bluetongue disease. Starting in January,…

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