New weapon launched in battle against bluetongue

• Cost-benefit vaccine calculator

• Helps to properly assess risks

• Already being used in the field

A new weapon is helping vets and farmers decide whether it is worthwhile vaccinating livestock against bluetongue.

The Battle Bluetongue tool is a vaccination finance calculator to help beef and sheep producers reach an informed decision when it comes to inoculating their herds and flocks this season.

Developed by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, the tool has already been put to good use by sheep farmer and AHDB farming systems director Mike Gooding ahead of warmer spring weather.

Mr Gooding used the calculator to understand the cost-benefit of vaccinating his flock of Romney sheep. He says it led to an extended discussion with his vet to consider the risks of a bluetongue outbreak and when best to vaccinate.

Bluetongue zone

“Farming in Oxfordshire and now within the bluetongue zone, this has sharpened my focus, and the calculator and discussion with my vet has helped me properly assess the options and the risks.”

This calculator has been added to the armoury of resources for vets and farmers to use in the Battle Bluetongue campaign – developed by the AHDB and Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W) with key veterinary and industry associations.

With BTV-3 continuing to pose a significant threat to UK ruminants, the calculator was developed to help slow infection rates and the spread of the disease, says Mandy Nevel,  AHDB head of animal health and welfare.

“There is no treatment for this disease which continues to play havoc with trade and animal movements,” says Dr Nevel. “Vaccination and restricted movements in affected areas – remain our best defence.”

Simple tool

It is hoped that the simple to use tool will help farmers or vets calculate cost of vaccination for sheep and beef cattle against bluetongue virus – and enable them to make the best decision for their farm.

“A bespoke dairy calculator will also be released as soon as possible,” says Dr Nevel. “We are working hard behind the scenes to make this as robust a tool as possible for all the diverse dairy farming systems we have in the UK.”

Ruminant Health & Welfare was established to co-ordinate and focus the ruminant sector’s drive in tackling endemic cattle, sheep and goat diseases across the UK, working with partners in the four nations.

Experienced vets were involved in testing the calculator. Bluetongue is a notifiable animal disease. Suspected cases must be reported immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.

The Battle Bluetongue calculator is available on the AHDB website at www.ahdb.org.uk.

Impact of low starch levels in maize silage

Maize silage continues to be affected by low starch levels – a trend that has been developing over the past three years.

Starch levels have been dropping due to a series of poor summers, says ForFarmers product manager Bruce Forshaw (pictured right). “This is obviously a worrying trend when maize is being grown for its high energy and starch content.

Some 30 maize samples from the 2024 season were sent to laboratory tester EuroFins for wet chemistry analysis. Starch levels averaged 27.6% compared to 29% in 2023 and 30.3% in 2022.

A large portion of the low starch silages also had a low dry matter. This can make traditional fresh near-infrared (NIR) testing more difficult because the light refracts off the moisture in the sample. For dry NIR all moisture is removed.

“This maize starch reduction is down to a number of factors,” says Mr Forshaw. “We’ve seen reduced sunshine hours in the past few summers meaning cobs haven’t ripened as usual.”

ForFarmers spoke to a number of farmers with low maize silage starch levels.

“They reported taking the crop earlier then they might have previously because of the worry of wet ground conditions and forecasted further rain.”

Lower dry matter results in maize silage coupled with lower boron during 2024 also suggest cob sizes have been smaller. The again may be due to early harvesting, says Mr Forshaw.

“Leaving maize crops to mature further is a very difficult decision when faced with the wet conditions we had last autumn.

“But an early maturing variety can give you an earlier harvest date and allows for a follow-on crop to be sown.

“If maize silage is coming back with low starch levels I would suggest supplementing the diet with a consistent product, which won’t detrimentally affect the health of the rumen, such as caustic wheat.”