Latest updates from Ruminant Health & Welfare

Welcome to the latest RH&W newsletter

As the warm weather brings with it the first bluetongue cases of the season in England, pragmatic and proactive steps are being taken to reduce the risk of the disease crossing the border.

Despite the efforts to contain bluetongue BTV-3, industry experts are warning all farmers not to become complacent and to vaccinate stock as a matter of urgency. In Wales, this is being championed through the social media-led #DoNotWaitVaccinate campaign, which featured in the latest Battle Bluetongue webinar alongside guidance on how to use the Bluetongue Movements Checker. I encourage all members to view the recording and to share the message: vaccination remains our best tool to prevent the spread and protect livestock.

I also want to highlight the wide range of work taking place across our sector to further support animal health and welfare. Our working groups and welfare strategies are at the forefront of this. There are some interesting developments looking at artificial intelligence (AI) for disease surveillance for example. It is clear that improving livestock health and welfare is a shared goal, and one that continues to be driven by evidence, innovation and vet and farmer-led insights.

We’re also pleased to share that GB Calf Week returns this year and will take place 11-18 September – follow the AHDB website for updates.

We have also been working behind the scenes on a new structure for our working groups which we will be sharing very soon.

Thank you once again to all our members and working groups for your continued support. These are complex times, but by staying informed, acting early, and working together, we can support a more resilient and responsible future for UK livestock farming.

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.

Understanding the use of NSAIDs in treating calves

A survey by the University of Nottingham has found that only 40% of farmers routinely use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat calves with diarrhoea, and 65% use them for cases of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

NSAIDs can play a pivotal role in pain relief, reducing inflammation and bringing down high temperatures. However, they are not widely used for sick calves due to concerns around their efficacy and managing antimicrobial use on-farm.

Industry experts are encouraging farmers to treat the use of the drugs as more of a standard in treating sick calves.

Disease surveillance pilot explores use of AI to control livestock infection

The Arwain DGC Responsible Antimicrobial Use programme is exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a complimentary method of disease surveillance in livestock in Wales, as part of its Practice Syndromic Surveillance Project (PSSP).

The information could be used to indicate to vets, farmers, and other stakeholders of the health status of livestock in near real-time, which could alert of new and emerging disease to support early decision-making against disease spread and timely treatment.

Find out more about the research here.

RUMA launch series of webinars

RUMA will run a series of four free webinars through November 2025 to cover a range of industry topics. See below for details and booking links.

Opportunities and challenges influencing the responsible use of medicines – panel session: Wednesday 5^th November 11.00am–12.30pm. Book here.
The future for vaccine availability for the UK animal health market: Wednesday 12^th November 11.00am–12.30pm. Book here.
RUMA Agriculture targets task force report and VARSS report launch: Wednesday 19^th November 11.00am–12.30pm. Book here.
Targets Task Force 3 launch: Wednesday 26^th November 11.00am–12.30pm. Book here.

Wales Sustainable Farming Scheme welcomed by BVA

NThe recent announcement of the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in Wales has been welcomed by the British Veterinary Association (BVA)

Due to launch 1st January 2026, the SFS will encourage farmers to work with thier vets to take a ‘prevention is better than cure’ approach to the health and productivity of their animals.

Elizabeth Mullineaux, BVA president, said: “We all have a responsibility to tackle climate change and sustainable farming, and food production plays a crucial role.

“The SFS bring much needed clarity to farmers and vet teams in Wales looking to play their part.

“We are especially pleased to see the ethical imperative of animal health and welfare recognised as part of the scheme, as this is fundamental to farming sustainably.

SCOPS urge sheep farmers to be extra vigilant following recent rainfall

Nerys Wright, technical adviser for SCOPS, warns that the combination of recent rainfall and earlier dry conditions could create a perfect storm for increased worm challenges on pasture.

“We’re encouraging farmers to carry out regular faecal egg counts (FECs) to monitor parasite burden and make informed treatment decisions,” she says.

FECs should however, be interpreted alongside lamb condition and performance as the effects of rainfall following a prolonged dry period, could cause clinical disease before a high FEC is detected. There are also concerns about the nutritional stress and therefore immunity of lambs caused by the lack of grass available due to early dry weather.

Read more about SCOPS recommendations here.

SCOPS is also encouraging farmers in England to make use of the DEFRA-funded Worming Treatment Check (WTC) scheme, offered through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway Review.

Vets – for more information on testing sheep, click here.

Sheep health project successfully reduces lameness in sheep flocks

A three-year sheep health project between Sainsbury’s, Dunbia and MSD Animal Health, involving just under 6,000 ewes across ten farms in Wales launched with the aim of reducing flock lameness towards the 2% Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC) target, while lowering antimicrobial use.

By using a five-point action plan: “treat, cull, avoid, quarantine, and vaccinate”, average flock lameness fell from 6.3% to 2.7%, and is said to have initiated significant cost savings.

Sonja van Dijk, from MSD Animal Health, said: “The plan provides a clear framework for tackling lameness and, when implemented properly, builds resilience, reduces infection pressure and improves immunity,

“All ten farms improved their lameness control scores by 94%, rising from 12 to 23 out of 25 — and that translated directly into healthier sheep and financial gains.”

UK beef and dairy farmers encouraged to remain vigilant against signs of lumpy skin disease

Recent outbreaks of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in France and Italy have raised concerns among vets and producers in the UK.

LSD is primarily spread by biting insects such as mosquitoes, horseflies, midges and ticks, meaning it can be spread quickly – particularly during warmer weather – and through direct contact with infected saliva, nasal or eye secretions, milk or semen.

Infected cattle can develop a high fever and large, round nodules under the skin which can lead to swelling of limbs, drooling and signs of discomfort. The disease can also have significant implications for milk yields and reproduction.

For more information and how to report any suspected cases, read here.