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Latest RH&W newsletter

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Latest updates from Ruminant Health & Welfare

 

Welcome to the latest RH&W newsletter 

Following the launch of the GB Dairy Cow Lameness Manifesto and the progress report for the GB Dairy Calf Strategy in January, this month we have also seen the launch of the ‘Battle Bluetongue’ vaccination campaign. This is another example of collaboration at its best, led by AHDB and RH&W with engagement right across the vet and farming industry, the aim is to support vets and farmers across the four nations. See below for more information on this industry initiative.

Huge thanks to all in the RH&W BTV-3 working group who shared experience and expertise to create the campaign and content for the communications toolkit to make sure this campaign offers useful information to support farm vets in having constructive conversations with farmers about vaccinating against BTV-3.

The RH&W Steering Group met on January 29th to discuss the industry Medicine Hub, hosted by AHDB. Ray Keatinge, who runs the hub with his team, shared data figures for beef, dairy and sheep for 2024. The target, set by the sectors, for 2024 was 4,000 datasets for each sector – Ray pointed out that beef was the only sector to achieve its target but both sheep and dairy failed to reach their target.

This has been particularly disappointing for dairy, as the data are there on farm. In the UK, 95% of dairy farms are members of Red Tractor, but the failure to pass the data on to the hub by processors and data holders has let the sector down quite badly. The focus for 2025 will be very much on dairy, so the dairy farmers who have done a great job over the past few years in capturing vital data are not let down again.

Sheep data for Medicine Hub are more challenging, but as sheep vet Fiona Lovatt, speaking at our December meeting explained, we are in the early phase of capturing these data. She is confident things will improve as vets get used to uploading data. It should be mentioned that Wales is well ahead with its hub and is passing data on to the industry hub at AHDB – for which we are grateful. It is always good to see people with vision recognising the bigger picture.

The Steering Group showed solid support for the Medicine Hub, and it is now for everyone to pull together to get it populated. With the EU now legislating for data collection, this could become a trade issue in the UK.

Given that the UK has led the world in the responsible use of antibiotics and the subsequent reduction in use of around 60% since the campaign to reduce antibiotics began, why would we not want to tell that story? We can only talk about it meaningfully if we have data to back up the rhetoric – we all need to think on that.

Gwyn Jones
Chair
RH&W

 

Battle Bluetongue campaign launched

The recently launched ‘Battle Bluetongue’ is a proactive campaign developed by AHDB and RH&W in collaboration with key veterinary and industry associations.

The first part of this important industry-led campaign has recently been launched to vets to supply them with a vaccine communications toolkit to use in conversations with farmers about vaccinating their herds and flocks against BTV-3.

The launch webinar which took place on 26 February was been organised to help give vets a current BTV-3 situation update and hear more about the #BattleBluetongue toolkit, which includes a vaccination decision maker tool, and farmer-meeting toolkit.

Please get in touch if you would like to hear more about how the toolkit can be used by vets and industry in a webinar recording.

The farmer facing campaign which encourages them to speak to their vets about vaccinations rolls out in earnest now, with Farmers Weekly already highlighting the campaign in their news pages.

  • View the campaign information for vets here.
  • Find campaign information for farmers here.

 

Welsh Government approves Bluetongue vaccines licence for voluntary use 

Welsh Government has worked closely with farming industry representatives who have requested all three BTV-3 vaccines be licenced for use in Wales. An online general licence will be available for vaccine use in Wales from 1st March.

The vaccines will be available on prescription and sold from veterinary practices and can be administered by livestock keepers themselves, following appropriate guidance.

This decision follows the continued spread of Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) cases in England since August 2024. On 4 September 2024, three unauthorised BTV-3 vaccines received Defra Secretary of State permission for emergency use in the UK.  The vaccines were licenced for use in England last year and Welsh Ministers’ decision to grant a licence means they can now be used in Wales.

Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Dr Richard Irvine, said: “This decision to licence these vaccines was informed by our recent risk assessment indicating that Wales is now at high risk of experiencing an incursion of Bluetongue this year. Our primary aim is to keep Bluetongue out of Wales through biosecurity, vigilance and safe sourcing of livestock. 

“Wales remains free of BTV-3, but it is important to be prepared. Vaccines give Welsh farmers an important tool to reduce any impact of this disease in their herds and flocks.

“I would encourage farmers considering vaccination to consult their veterinary surgeon to discuss whether vaccination is appropriate for their livestock.”

Key information for farmers:

  • vaccines must be prescribed by a veterinary surgeon
  • costs must be covered by livestock owners
  • spring vaccination is recommended for optimal protection, ensuring animals are protected before peak midge activity in summer and autumn
  • detailed vaccination records must be maintained for 5 years
  • individual animal vaccination details must be reported within 48 hours: Animal keeper reports of BTV-3 vaccination activity (on gov.uk)

Read more: Welsh Government approves Bluetongue vaccines licence for voluntary use | GOV.WALES

 

RCV call for sheep farmer help to assess Orf prevalence

Are you a UK sheep farmer who could help the Royal Veterinary College with current research? The RVC are looking for sheep farmers and keepers across the UK to help find out more about current prevalence and treatment practices for orf. 

The survey takes 5-10 minutes – just follow this link:  
Orf Insights: Establishing current practices and opinions of UK Sheep farmer


Methane report 

The ‘Acting on methane’ report is a great source of information for having conversations about reducing emissions from ruminants. It outlines how the carbon intensity of production can be reduced which in turn reduces emissions.  Greatest impact is achieved by focussing on conditions which improve food conversion efficiency, growth rates and the involuntary or premature culling of breeding stock.

You can find the full report here.


Lambing survey 2025

Livestock keepers are being invited to complete this year’s lambing survey from the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Science and Medicine.

This is a repeat survey of a previous version which was carried out during the initial outbreak of Schmallenberg virus in Europe in 2012/13 and again during the outbreaks in 2017 and 2023.

Find out more information on previous results and complete the current survey here: https://forms.office.com/e/Wa4fdRaHrw 


Emerging disease threats increase in Scotland  

To date, Scotland has remained largely free of Schmallenberg but concern is growing after Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) confirmed five new cases so far this year.

Ayrshire farmer Michael Goldie has already lost over half his newborn lambs, having realised there was a problem early on during January lambing.

Scotland’s chief vet Sheila Voas also suggests it is “probably inevitable” that bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV3) will also reach Scotland.

Farmers are being urged to be extra vigilant for the signs of BTV-3, Schmallenberg and other diseases that may be coming.

Read more:  Farmers fear being ‘wiped out’ if any more diseases strike – BBC News


SCOPS and COWS urge use of FECs to manage ongoing liver fluke threat


Within the range of tools available to producers to monitor liver fluke, experts in the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Worms Sustainably (COWS) groups are promoting faecal egg counts (FECs) at this point in the risk period.

Nerys Wright, an independent consultant speaking on behalf of SCOPS, says: “FECs are a great tool at this point in the liver fluke risk period, as the parasite’s lifecycle is at the point where adult flukes may be laying eggs. Earlier in the season, the risk is posed by immature fluke that cause significant damage migrating to the liver but are too young to lay eggs that show up on a FEC.

“We’re lucky to have a range of diagnostic tools available for liver fluke, but it can be complicated to know which to use and when. For many farms, now is the time to use regular FECs to monitor infection. If treatment is necessary, ensure you use an appropriate product. Speak to your vet and/or adviser to make good treatment choices that protect cattle and sheep from disease while also delaying the development of resistance to those products for as long as possible.”

Find the SCOPS-COWS Guide to Test-Based Liver Fluke Control at www.scops.org.uk/internal-parasites/liver-fluke/diagnosis-and-detection and www.cattleparasites.org.uk/liver-fluke-and-rumen-fluke.

 

 

Sheep farmers urged to report abnormalities this lambing season

With Schmallenberg and BTV-3 an ever present threat, farmers are encouraged to observe and investigate the cause of low scans, abortions and deformities in their flocks this lambing season and report them to their vet immediately.
Timely reporting of abnormalities ensures swift action against potential threats to your flock.
 Vet info vets: Vets: testing sheep for endemic disease follow-up – GOV.UK

 

 

Investigate all abortions and stillbirths at calving time


As with sheep, cattle farmers are advised to observe herds closely for abortions this spring calving season and be sure to investigate the cause.

Find out more about the common causes for abortion and stillbirths in cattle and what to do next here: https://bit.ly/4dETyYy

Download or print this farm office poster to help find out about sampling, reporting and legislation wherever you are in the devolved nations.

Other news from industry

General

Upcoming events

 

UK Dairy Expo – Borderway Mart, Carlisle
14th & 15th March 2025
Borderway UK Dairy Expo

NSA Welsh Sheep – Tregoed Farm Brecon, LD3 0SP
21 May 2025
NSA Welsh Sheep | National Sheep Association
 
Goat Vet Society – Summer conference – The Village Hotel, Swindon
Wednesday 4th & Thursday 5th June 2025
Goat Veterinary Society – Dedicated to goat care
 
AHDB events 2025
See all AHDB events: Farm events and agricultural shows | AHDB

We are an independent, industry-based body tasked with helping farmers and stock managers tackle sheep and cattle disease, and build the health and welfare status, resilience and production efficiency of our national flock and herd.

See more about our aims here.