The National Sheep Association (NSA) is urging the farming community to look out for their farming peers this January, as it can be a challenging time of year on farm.
Farmers are currently dealing with harsh weather conditions such as frost and snow, and more concerningly, disease outbreaks.
Concerns surrounding bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV) are still relevant in England. There are currently 52 cases of BTV on 29 premises in the country.
BTV serotype 3 (BTV-3) has been found in Kent and Norfolk.
To minimise the spread of disease, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is placing 10km temporary control zones (TCZs) around premises with infected animals.
The TCZ may be extended if further cases are identified.
SBV was first confirmed to be in the UK in 2012. It’s mainly found in sheep, and it’s symptoms include: fever; drop in milk yield; diarrhoea; inappetence and loss of body composition.
NSA
NSA chief executive, Phil Stocker said: “NSA recognises that in particular ongoing concerns regarding two impactful and devastating diseases are cause for worry amongst sheep farmers in several parts of the country.
“Bluetongue was grabbing most of the headlines at the end of 2023, being seen as a big risk for the future, but seemingly out of nowhere came SBV – affecting an increasing number of sheep farms across many English regions.
“NSA has heard from technicians involved in taking semen and embryos for export, scanners, early lambers, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), that SBV cases are quite serious with scanners reporting numbers of dead lambs and early lambers, saying they are losing between 10 – 25% of lambs in some cases.”
To somewhat alleviate the stress of concerns surrounding disease, farmers should be offering each other support and advice.
NSA communications manager, Katie James, said: “There has been few times in recent years where the sector has faced such a worrying time concerning animal disease, and so it is especially important to check in with those close to you who may be potentially affected.
“The farming community is also in a fortunate position to be supported so well by a number of fantastic charities who can offer specialised help with both personal issues, and those on farm if needed.
“NSA would encourage anyone struggling at this time to reach out to one of these and not to suffer alone.”
