Latest updates from Ruminant Health & Welfare

Welcome to RH&W’s latest newsletter

The lighter mornings and evenings are making life that little bit easier for livestock producers at a busy time of year. It also means attention will rightly turn to ensuring the health and wellbeing of spring lambs and calves, as well as breeding stock, as well as keeping a watchful eye out for Bluetongue.

At the time of writing, the Defra lamb tail docking and castration consultation is set to close and, in response to this, RH&W has submitted a response to the consultation. Thanks to Claire White and her RH&W welfare sub-group for their efforts in preparing this.

A new month brings new ruminant industry issues to the surface. Our recent RH&W steering group meeting provided valuable insight into on-going issues associated with abattoirs and animal transport.  With data from the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Gavin Morris, of Veterinary Public Health Group, gave us an introduction to the current situation across the industry. We learnt that the poultry industry contributes to the majority of reported cases, although significant challenges still remain when it comes to cattle and sheep welfare when heading for the abattoir.

Moyna Richey, APHA, delved into more detail about animal welfare issues in transit. She explained that a contributing factor is due to a decrease in numbers of abattoirs in recent years. Therefore, increasing length of journey times and potentially more pickups can drive up lameness levels. Further details from recent FSA data were expertly presented by Agnieszka Dabrowska, David Graham and Frances Moreno – all three members of FSA. In January’s Battle Bluetongue webinar powered by AHDB, experts highlighted the growing risk of bluetongue (BTV-3) for sheep and cattle keepers.

Dr. M. Pilar Romero from APHA reported 281 infected farms and over 680 affected animals since July 2025, with the majority of cases concentrated in Cornwall and Devon. Laura Roberts, dairy vet and BCVA board member, urged farmers to vaccinate their herds against BTV-3 now, noting that early vaccination ensures full protection before the midge season peaks, typically from April to November.

It is vital to note that delaying bluetongue vaccination could lead to significant financial losses due to decreased fertility, impaired reproduction and higher veterinary costs. Vaccinating early not only protects herd health but also offers long-term immunity, making it a crucial investment, especially spring lambs and for spring-block calving herds.

As ever, thank you to everyone involved in RH&W steering and working groups so far this year.

Gwyn Jones, RH&W Chair