Latest updates from Ruminant Health & Welfare

Welcome to the latest RH&W newsletter

Despite the welcoming of recent rainfall for many, the industry continues to face challenges caused by the long summer and droughts in several areas of the UK, which make the resilience of our farmers and support from vets increasingly apparent. The consistently hot and dry weather has not only put a strain on resources but in turn has also intensified concerns for livestock health and welfare. I urge farmers to collaborate with vets and utilise industry resources, to address any potential issues.

With increased pressures on animal health, the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) new policy on responsible parasiticide use is a significant step in addressing parasiticide resistance, and I encourage all members to align with these updated practices, to proactively challenge resistance.

Changes to bluetongue restrictions mean cross border movements are possible as vaccinated Welsh livestock are now able to be sold in English markets within 20 kilometres of the Welsh border. Additionally, there has been recent announcement of relaxed movement restrictions for animals moving into Scotland from 21^st September. You can check compliance with movement restrictions via the Bluetongue Movements Checker tool or visit the RH&W website for the latest bluetongue updates.

While this movement relaxation offers relief for some farmers, the importance of vaccinating stock against bluetongue cannot be underestimated. As the weather remains warm, midges remain active, so I would like to remind all farmers that it’s not too late to vaccinate and encourage them to share their experiences with other farmers to stop the spread of bluetongue.

As September is upon us, we look ahead to upcoming events in the calendar – notably GB Calf Week, 10^th-18^th September, which will see the launch of the GB Calf Strategy 2025-2030 at UK Dairy Day.

RH&W remains committed to working closely with industry stakeholders and supporting our members through these complex times. We are proud of the work being done within the industry, from vaccination campaigns to better overall welfare management.

I would like to extend my thanks to the RH&W steering and working groups, and to everyone involved in taking action as part of these vital efforts.

Gwyn Jones – RH&W Chair

Latest bluetongue BTV-3 updates

For the latest updates and information on bluetongue BTV-3, visit our resource hub here.

Farmers Guardian bluetongue survey

Farmers Guardian are giving farmers the opportunity to share how bluetongue has affected their livestock business and trade, and whether they have vaccinated against the disease.

Insights gathered via this survey will further support industry understanding of the current challenges faced by livestock farmers, caused by bluetongue outbreaks and restrictions, as well as informing approaches to vaccination.

Take part here: Bluetongue survey: Have you vaccinated your livestock? Have restrictions impacted your trade? | Farm News | Farmers Guardian

SCOPS & COWS groups welcome BVA policies

The new policy by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) on the responsible use of parasiticides in grazing animals has been welcomed by members of the SCOPS and COWS groups. Within the policy, the BVA recognise the need for a cohesive strategy to tackle future parasiticide resistance.

RUMA Agriculture’s secretary general Chris Lloyd, says: “We would welcome the BVA directing their members to SCOPS and COWS for anthelmintic advice and CPD training, to ensure consistent guidance is being given on-farm.

“The mantra has been to treat only when necessary and with the right product in the right way, as this will help slow the development of resistance to the active ingredients, whilst also reducing the potential threats to wildlife and the environment.”

Read the full response here: https://www.scops.org.uk/news/32221/scops-and-cows-welcome-bvas-latest-policy-and-highlight-extent-of-work-already-done/

Further concerns raised around NSAIDs use in cattle

Further to recent research about the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in calves, new research by Project FEET has suggested only 50% of farmers use NSAIDs for active digital dermatitis – a disease largely associated with lameness cases.

This may be due to some disparity in the perception of pain, discussed during Ceva Animal Health’s ‘Break the Pain Conference and Round Table’ vet meeting in May which suggested farmers consistently score pain lower than vets and often, lower than foot trimmers and veterinary technicians.

These findings highlight the need for increased collaboration among the on-farm mobility team to assess pain and make choices on NSAIDs – which are essential to the treatment of pain, inflammation and fever in cattle.

Follow the link to read more: https://www.farmersguide.co.uk/livestock/animal-health/are-nsaids-underused-in-dairy-cows/

SCOPS advises farmers to time Group 4 and 5 wormers in lambs

SCOPS is advising farmers on the importance of using Group 4-AD (monepantel) and Group 5-SI (derquantel) wormer actives in lambs as a mid-to-late season dose but also urge producers not to rely on fixed calendar dates for administering products due to this year’s variable weather conditions.

Decisions instead should be based on treatments given to date, recent parasite burdens observed and flock performance.

Nerys Wright, technical adviser at SCOPS, said that the variation in worm burdens across the UK is “huge”, with many lambs not yet requiring treatment, so tailoring an approach to the flock’s situation is crucial.

SCOPS advises farmers discuss the best time to use the wormers with their vet, based on treatments already administered to the flock.

Follow the link to read more on the guidance: https://www.scops.org.uk/news/32073/time-your-group-4-and-5-wormers-right-this-season-says-scops/

Survey launches to identify cattle fly control methods

British Dairying and Kingsay Vets have collaborated to produce a survey for farmers to understand their use of fly control for their cattle. The survey responses will be used to provide an independent report for other farmers looking to make similar purchases.

All participants in the survey will remain anonymous and will be entered into a prize draw to win an Amazon voucher.

Participate here.

Vet calls for changes to bovine TB eradication measures in Wales as cases rise

Cattle slaughtered due to bovine TB in Wales in the 12 months to March 2025, experienced a 17.7% increase compared to the previous year.

Dr Mike John of Fenton Vets in Pembrokeshire says that different measures are needed to eradicate the disease from herds across Wales, and to treat it more like an endemic disease.

Additionally, Dr John suggests rolling out the Welsh government-funded Pembrokeshire project across Wales, which aims to facilitate collaborative working between vets and farmers.

The calls to shift policy has been supported by farming unions in Wales, and the Welsh government has said they recognise the concerns and continue to work with the industry to set out a five-year delivery plan.

New vaccine against Barber’s Pole worm developed

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in collaboration with the University of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences has developed a new vaccine against Barber’s Pole worm (Haemonchus contortus).

Research showed that the vaccine limits the ability of parasites to establish in sheep and largely reduces the number of eggs shed by the parasite – decreasing contamination of pasture to further lower the risk of infection.

This will mean less reliance on chemical wormers, which are becoming less effective due to developing drug resistance amongst the parasites.

Additionally, the development of this vaccine did not require the harvesting of worms from slaughtered sheep – a method previously used to develop available vaccines – meaning vaccines could in future, be more reliable, be produced faster, and in a more humane way.

Livestock keepers reminded of the risks associated with beech and oak mast consumption

The NFU is warning livestock keepers of the dangers associated with acorn and beech nut consumption.

Over-consumption by cattle and sheep can be a health risk to animals and with feed in short supply this autumn, farmers are being urged to take extra caution to ensure animals do not gorge on the mast, as results can be fatal.

Preventing access to areas in fields where beech and oak trees drop their mast during autumn is advised, and mast poisoning is suspected, farmers should remove stock from the cause, give them plenty of water and contact their vet immediately.