Latest Ruminant Health & Welfare news
A new Battle Bluetongue tool has been created to help vets and farmers assess the potential economic risk or return for a farm considering vaccinating flocks and herds against bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) this year.
Two BTV-3 vaccination finance calculators have been developed by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) – one is dedicated to sheep and the other to beef cattle.
Commenting on using the calculator to understand the return from investing in BTV-3 vaccination, Mike Gooding – a sheep farmer and farming systems director at AHDB said:
“I used the AHDB calculator looking at my flock of Romney sheep to understand the cost-benefit of vaccinating and this led to an extended discussion with my farm vet to consider both the risks of a bluetongue outbreak and when best to fit vaccination into my flock health plan.
Farming in Oxfordshire and now within the bluetongue zone, this has sharpened my focus, and the calculator and discussion with my vet has helped me properly assess the options and the risks.”
This calculator has been added to the armoury of resources available for vets and farmers to use in the Battle Bluetongue vaccination campaign launched for farmers in England and Wales in February 2025 – developed by AHDB and Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W) in collaboration with key veterinary and industry associations.
With BTV-3 continuing to pose a significant threat to ruminants, all in the ruminant industry are being urged to consider how to help slow disease spread. AHDB Head of Animal Health and Welfare Mandy Nevel explains why the calculator has been developed to help slow infection rates.
“As there is no treatment for this disease which continues to play havoc with trade and animal movements – vaccination and restricted movements in affected areas – remain our best defence,” says Dr Nevel.
“Experienced vets from the RH&W BTV-3 working group have been involved in testing the BTV-3 vaccination finance calculator developed by AHDB. It is hoped that the simple to use tool will help farmers or vets calculate cost of vaccination for sheep and beef cattle against bluetongue virus – and enable them to make the best decision for their farm.
“A bespoke dairy calculator will also be released as soon as possible. We are working hard behind the scenes to make this as robust a tool as possible for all the diverse dairy farming systems we have in the UK,” adds Dr Nevel.
Battle Bluetongue webinar 26 March 2025
A webinar to explain the benefits of using the calculator and a live demonstration on how to use it is taking place on Wednesday 26th March 5-6pm.
A technical update on BTV-3 and recent findings will be provided as well as a practical update from vets Fiona Lovatt and Joe Henry.
Book your place on the webinar – powered by AHDB – via https://ahdb.org.uk/events/bluetongue-virus-calculating-the-cost-of-vaccination
#BattleBluetongue campaign reminder
Through the Battle Bluetongue campaign, farmers are being encouraged to:
ASSESS YOUR RISK
PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS
DEFEND YOUR STOCK
For more information on accessing the #BattleBluetongue campaign assets, which include vaccination FAQs, campaign posters and flyers, please visit the campaign hub page or contact RuminantHW@ahdb.org.uk
Bluetongue updates
For all bluetongue information and regular situation updates, visit our BTV-3 resource hub page.