Trials show good bluetongue vaccine carryover into lambs: Lambs born to ewes that had received a booster shot of inactivated bluetongue virus type 8 vaccine in the second year of a vaccination programme were protected against the disease for at least 14 weeks. This excellent news that has emerged from trial work means that breeding sheep that are in a bluetongue vaccination programme will be passing a level of immunity over that in some cases will see the lamb through until slaughter.

 

Breeding sheep that have only been vaccinated for one year and have not had the booster in the second year do pass on some immunity to their offspring, but not to the level of those sheep which have received a booster vaccination. In addition to that the sheep in the trial were vaccinated with their booster at the same time as they received their booster vaccination for clostridia disease, about 4 weeks ahead of lambing - with no negative side effects as a result

 

Even though the experiments were undertaken through the Institute of Animal Health, the datasheets that arrive with the vaccine packaging with the recommendations for use will not be reflecting this very good news as these experiments were not undertaken by the vaccine manufacturer.

 

NSA is recommending to sheep farmers to vaccinate this year and this news gives extra credence to doing this as a safety measure and insurance policy should the disease return in 2010. It is worth bearing in mind that the sheep are probably worth nearly twice as much as when this disease first emerged so, in terms of insurance, vaccination offers very good value. Please talk to your vet about these experimental results in relation to the information on the datasheets and ask how a vaccination programme can protect your sheep from this terrible midge borne illness.

Zone change Debate Gathers Momentum: As previously mentioned, there is a growing debate about the pros and cons of moving parts or all of the UK to a lower risk in terms of zoning for bluetongue. With the prospect that the UK may be in a position to apply for bluetongue free status in 2011, the feeling is that to take a step in that direction at this time will give positive signals to farmers. However the counter argument to that is that it might act as a disincentive in decisions over vaccinating and a risk of confusing messages.

As this is a devolved issue there might be differing decisions in different parts of GB. Hopefully this won’t be the case. NSA has been lobbying for the retention of 100% single post import testing even if there is a lowering of the zone status to a so called ‘blue zone’. There has been a massive  improvement in terms of vaccination and reduction in disease risk in mainland Europe which is great news for all concerned. However if there is a  lowering of risk status in the UK even though that would raise the bar for imports in terms of compliance with new vaccination requirements, NSA still believes that confidence amongst sheep farmers will be enhanced through the retention of post import tests.

Spain goes for vaccine bank: The Spanish government has confirmed that 12 million euros will be allocated to maintain a Bluetongue vaccine bank. Spain has problems with serotypes 1 & 8 circulating around the border with Portugal and there are concerns about BTV1 circulating in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia on its southern border. Evidence, if it was needed, that the threat still exists.

Meetings and Events at which NSA has represented your interests this week:

•    Defra meeting on mapping exotic disease risks

•    National Livestock Management Board meeting

•    Meetings on Climate Change in Edinburgh and Exeter

•    NSA Northern Area AGM

•    Livestock Auctioneers Dinner in London

•    Wool Project meeting

•    Welsh Commons Forum Conference in Aberystwyth

•    LFA meeting in Edinburgh

•    2 interviews on Farming today

•    Meeting with Marks and Spencer representatives

The Lleyn Sheep Society have asked that we alert our members to the following opportunity -

Lleyn Sheep Society Promotions & Development Consultant: Over recent years there has been a huge demand for the Lleyn within the UK and Ireland and the breed traits enable it to satisfy the future challenges being placed before the sheep industry.  As a result, we are now offering the opportunity to become involved in the next stage of the breed’s exciting future. The successful applicant will carry out the:

Design and production of all promotional material: Organisation of the Society Stand and attendance at summer Shows and Events: Attendance at Society Sales and production of reports: Administration and research work for the Promotions and Breed Development committees Enthusiasm and excellent IT/communication skills are essential together with a good working knowledge of the sheep industry. If you consider yourself as having all, or some, of the relevant skills and would like further information please contact the Chairman: Christine Thompson, Reagarth Farm, Helmsley, York YO62 5HX Tel: (01439) 770284 or 07703 361580. A CV, together with a handwritten letter and the names of two referees, should be sent to the above to arrive by 19th February.