Schmallenberg

Nigel Bennet, livestock area manager, Northern Europe, Roam Technology, reflects on the growing risk to UK agriculture due to inadequate biosecurity, weak border controls and a shrinking veterinary workforce

Farmers are urged to stay vigilant this lambing and calving season after cases of Schmallenberg have been identified in southern Scotland

Ian farms in partnership with his family near Knutsford, Cheshire. They manage 700 commercial pedigree Holstein/Friesians on 445 hectares (1,100 acres). Replacements are homereared and cows are on a composite system. Ian is a representative for Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group and sits on the AHDB Genetics Advisory Forum

In this week’s Farmers Guardian podcast, head of livestock, Katie Jones, talks to Wiltshire vet, Mel McPherson about the threat posed by Schmallenberg and bluetongue this year

That was the message from new livestock board chair and Gloucestershire beef suckler farmer David Barton, who added the ‘unpredictability' of this strain of bluetongue was worrying

Over 100 cases of the virus have been detected on farms in Kent, Suffolk and Norfolk since November 2023

Livestock farmers are being urged to remain vigilant for signs of Schmallenberg virus in their flocks and herds by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC)