Standing Together Against Bluetongue

At Torch Farm Vets, we know how deeply bluetongue is affecting farming communities across the South West. Behind every case is a farmer, a family and a business facing difficult decisions and worry.

Our team is working alongside livestock keepers to help them recognise the signs, protect their animals and plan for the months ahead. Farmers are not facing this alone—we are here to offer veterinary advice, reassurance and ongoing support.

Bluetongue is a notifiable viral disease affecting sheep, cattle, goats, deer and camelids. It does not affect people or food safety, but can affect animal health, welfare, fertility and productivity.

The virus is spread by biting midges. It is not caused by poor husbandry and can affect farms of every size and system.

Signs in sheep include fever, lethargy, lameness, drooling, nasal discharge, mouth ulcers and swelling around the face, lips, tongue or jaw. Cattle may show fever, reduced milk yield, nasal discharge, mouth lesions, swollen teats or lameness. In both species, bluetongue can cause abortions, stillbirths, dummy lambs or calves, and unexplained weakness or wobbliness in newborns.

Check livestock every day and contact your vet if anything does not look right. Early treatment and supportive care is key.

Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect livestock and reduce the severity and spread of disease. Speak to your vet about the right vaccination plan, as vaccines take time to produce an immune response.

Alongside vaccination, consider other conditions that could compromise stock, such as worm burdens or iceberg diseases such as Maedi Visna or Johnes. Review animal movements, maintain good hygiene and biosecurity, and do not share needles between unvaccinated animals.

Looking ahead is important. For suckler herds, identify pregnant cows, maintain nutrition and body condition, and report abortions, stillbirths or weak calves. In sheep flocks, ewe and ram fertility should be reviewed before tupping. Pre-breeding examinations, ram fertility testing, nutrition and parasite control can identify problems early and maximise the chance of healthy lambs next season.

The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway (AHWP) is a funded opportunity to review herd or flock health with your vet and develop a proactive plan for the year ahead.

Torch is committed to standing alongside our clients through the immediate outbreak and its longer-term impact. Please contact your farm vet if you have concerns, need vaccination advice or want to discuss your next steps. By remaining vigilant and supporting one another, our farming community can face this challenge together.