With the recent bluetongue (BTV-3) outbreak having a significant effect on flocks and herds across the UK, and drought conditions adding further pressure, there are a wide variety of resources available to support you and to help you to prepare and take preventative measures.
- Bluetongue virus latest news | AHDB – The AHDB is providing regular updates and information about the disease. They are also running a variety of webinars. The AHDB bluetongue hotline is available on – 024 7771 0386.
- Bluetongue: latest situation – GOV.UK – APHA are also providing updates and you can access these via their website.
- Addington Fund may be able to provide emergency grants to farmers dealing with the effects of drought and bluetongue: 2026 Drought and Bluetongue Emergency Grants — Addington Fund. You can download the form directly here, which can be circulated to farmers: https://bit.ly/4xh1E3X
- RABI has launched a £2M Emergency Drought Fund to provide £2,000 grants towards personal and household expenditure for eligible farm owners and tenant farmers experiencing significant financial pressure as a result of the impact of drought across England and Wales. Read more and check eligibility here: RABI Emergency Drought Fund 2026 – RABI
FCN is on-hand to listen, to support and to help in any way we can. We can be contacted on 03000 111 999 or help@fcn.org.uk.
The below recommendations are informed by AHDB, APHA and veterinary specialists:
Preparing for bluetongue
It is never too late to vaccinate
Contact your local vet and get on the waiting list for the vaccine now. Have your stock numbers, species and previous BTV vaccination records ready. Don’t forget your needle supplies. Booster vaccinations are important, keep up to date with them to ensure your flock is protected. If you already have bluetongue on your farm you can still vaccinate. NFU guidance on vaccination is available here: NFU advice on vaccinating against bluetongue to protect fertility, stock and farm businesses – NFUonline
Prioritise
Vaccinate rams, bulls and breeding stock first, then focus on the rest of your stock. Adjust breeding times if necessary to protect future prospects of your stock – semen can carry bluetongue.
Change environment
Moving stock away from natural or stagnant water sources helps reduce the impact of the midges – they act as vectors so altering the environment can help. Moving to higher ground is one option.
Husbandry
Checking your stock more frequently can help to identify any signs or symptoms faster. Remove any stock that raises concerns to nursing pens or fields, report and contact your vets. Ensure your records are up to date, make notes of dates, symptoms and losses etc.
Report any clinical signs
Report any clinical signs – lameness, crusting around the nose/muzzle, lethargy, hanging their heads, mouth ulcers.
See the AHDB guide on identifying clinical signs: Clinical signs of bluetongue | AHDB
It might not be the hot weather causing symptoms.
Remember – bluetongue is a notifiable disease.
The reporting numbers are:
- England 03000 200 301
- Wales 03003 038 268
- Scotland 03000 600 704
Suggestions for flocks and herds impacted by bluetongue
- If you have already vaccinated and you think an animal is symptomatic get it tested.
- Checking your stock more regularly can help catch symptoms earlier, and means treatment can be administered sooner.
- Symptoms can vary – changes in behaviour, less flighty, hollow, lameness, head down, and crusting the around muzzle.
- Once notified and your vet has been contacted it is important to treat the symptomatic animal from your flock or herd and bring them in where possible. Even if you are unsure it is important to treat each animal and get them as comfortable as possible.
- Create a Nursing Shed/Field where it is easy to handle the stock.
- Offer fresh water. For down animals make sure there are buckets in front of them – some are finding relief in holding their mouths in cool water.
- If you don’t think the animal is hydrated – drench them or tube them if necessary. Failure to maintain hydration can result in kidney damage.
- Offer soft foods, soaked sugar beet, ivy, lamb creep, haylage etc.
- Treating with anti-inflammatories is important. However using NSAIDs with decreased liver function is not advisable. Discuss options with your vet.
- Do not use anti-histamines.
- Consider euthanasia to prevent prolonged suffering in some cases.
- Consider changing your breeding plans, bluetongue can be carried within semen. Changing the timings can help protect breeding stock and the impacts on lambing and calving season. It is also worth noting leaving the ram or bull in for longer can help. Scan cows early, leave the bulls in for longer. Late born calves are better than none.
In the video below our Regional Support Officer (Eastern Counties) Natalie highlights how FCN is here to help and support farmers impacted by bluetongue: