News.

Farm Cornwall recently hosted two Bluetongue breakfast meetings, bringing together 37 farmers to discuss the ongoing impact of BTV-3 and how to plan ahead for future breeding, lambing and calving seasons.

The first breakfast took place at Griggs Restaurant on Thursday 29th October, welcoming 18 farmers and guest speaker Isla Macmillan from Kenwyn Vets. A second event at The Wilsey Down on Friday 6th November brought together 19 farmers, with veterinary advice provided by Tim Bebbington from Castle Vets.

Funded by The Royal Countryside Fund, the breakfasts provided an opportunity for farmers to ask questions, share experiences and consider the longer-term implications of Bluetongue for their livestock and businesses.

Planning for the Months Ahead

While many farmers have already experienced the effects of Bluetongue, the focus of these events was on what comes next, particularly vaccination, fertility and the potential impact on future breeding seasons.

For dairy herds calving throughout the year, vaccination remains an important consideration, with the risk of Bluetongue still ongoing. Farmers are encouraged to discuss vaccination with their vets.

Bluetongue can also have a significant impact on fertility in bulls and rams. Farmers relying on natural service should consider fertility testing and, where necessary, alternative arrangements such as artificial insemination or a replacement bull whose fertility has been checked.

Research undertaken in Belgium suggests that rams may take approximately 100 days to recover full fertility following infection. However, as the timing of infection is often unknown on farm, predicting when fertility might return can be difficult.

Reduced fertility could lead to prolonged lambing and calving seasons, creating additional pressures on farming businesses. Infection during pregnancy can also cause serious developmental abnormalities in calves and lambs, including brain damage. Beyond the financial implications, the emotional impact of dealing with severely affected animals can be considerable for farmers and their families.

Supporting Cornwall's Farmers

We would like to thank everyone who attended, our veterinary speakers and both venues for their support, along with The Royal Countryside Fund for funding the events.

Farm Cornwall continues to offer free, confidential and practical support to farmers and farming families across Cornwall. Anyone concerned about the impact of Bluetongue on their business is encouraged to get in touch, alongside seeking veterinary advice on livestock health and vaccination.