VIEW MEDIA CENTRE MENU
VIEW MEDIA CENTRE MENU
Agriculture Media Centre
Sign up to Newsletter

Please sign up to our digital newsletter to keep up to date with pest control and Lodi UK.

Area of Interest

Please choose one or more:




Your information will be securely stored with us. To learn more about how we handle your personal data, please read our Privacy Policy.


HIDE MEDIA CENTRE MENU

Bluetongue is back in the UK: What Farmers Need to Know!

Bluetongue, a virus that primarily affects sheep and cattle, has reared its head once again in the UK. While the virus doesn’t impact humans, it’s a different story for livestock, with the disease spreading through bites from infected midges.

What is Bluetongue? Bluetongue is caused by the Bluetongue Virus (BTV). It can lead to a range of symptoms in livestock, from mild discomfort to severe disease, including swelling of the head, eyes, and mouth, fever, and lameness. In sheep, it can be particularly serious, though cattle often show milder symptoms. The virus can't be passed directly between animals – instead, midges act as little winged delivery agents, passing it on with a bite.

How Does it Spread? While midges may sound like your average nuisance pest, they play a huge role in spreading this disease. Bluetongue outbreaks usually happen when biting midges of the Culicoides species carry the virus over from Europe, where cases have been more common. Given the rise in cases recently, it's clear our tiny flying friends have made the leap across the channel. 

Looking for Symptoms: 

Bluetongue does not always show signs or symptoms within livestock however there is still a chance it can. Symptoms report differently within sheep and cattle so check below the different symptoms to be aware: 

Sheep Cattle
  • High rectal temperature
  • Eye and nasal discharge
  • Drooling as a result of ulcerations in the mouth
  • Swelling of the mouth, head and neck
  • Lameness with inflammation at the junction of the skin and the coronary band
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fever up to (40.0ºC)
  • Nasal discharge
  • Swelling of the head and neck
  • Conjunctivitis (runny eyes)
  • Swelling and ulceration of the mouth
  • Swollen teats
  • Saliva drooling out of the mouth

 

What Should Farmers Do? First off, don’t panic! Prevention and protection are key here. For starters, farmers should:

  • Stay Informed: Keeping up with updates is essential. The National Farmers Union (NFU) and other agricultural bodies have regular updates and advice. Make sure you’re checking in frequently to get the latest scoop.
  • Vaccinate: Vaccines are available and are your first line of defence. If your livestock hasn’t already been vaccinated, now is the time to have that conversation with your vet. The vaccine is great to help reduce the level of severity and mortality of your sheep and cattle. For more information on the vaccine check our Farmer’s Weekly’s blog here
  • Monitor Your Livestock: Keep a close eye on your sheep and cattle. If you notice any unusual symptoms, such as swelling, fever, or changes in behaviour, it’s better to be safe and get them checked out by a vet.

Can It Be Controlled? Bluetongue is a tricky one, as it's not about stopping the animals from spreading it but rather the midges. However, thanks to vaccination campaigns and vigilant monitoring, we’ve got plenty of tools to keep this in check. Still, with cases on the rise, it’s a good time to refresh your farm's biosecurity practices.

How Lodi UK Can Help: 

We know how frustrating it can be trying to keep those pesky midges away from your livestock. Here at Lodi, we offer a range of on-farm insect control products to help reduce the chance of infection. Our concentrates and ready-to-use products combine an effective residual with excellent knock-down performance, as keeping the livestock’s living space clean and tidy will lower the chance of the virus spreading.

Looking Ahead: While bluetongue cases are concerning, the situation is being closely monitored by UK authorities. By staying on top of the news, getting the jab for your livestock, and keeping a close eye on any symptoms, you can protect your herd and reduce the risk of further outbreaks.

It’s not all doom and gloom – midges might be a headache, but with the right steps, bluetongue can be kept at bay. Let’s keep those cows mooing and sheep baaing, healthy and happy!

RELATED PRODUCTS

$relatedPrCategory = $db1->getval("SELECT clCtId FROM categoryLinks WHERE clLinkTable='Products' AND clLinkId='$relatedPrId' ORDER BY clOrder DESC","clCtId"); if ($relatedPrCategory) { $ctUrl = categoryUrl($relatedPrCategory); } if ($ctUrl == "/") { $ctUrl = ""; } ?>

BUGSTEREC1L

Digrain Bugster EC

All-purpose Flying & Crawling Insecticide

$relatedPrCategory = $db1->getval("SELECT clCtId FROM categoryLinks WHERE clLinkTable='Products' AND clLinkId='$relatedPrId' ORDER BY clOrder DESC","clCtId"); if ($relatedPrCategory) { $ctUrl = categoryUrl($relatedPrCategory); } if ($ctUrl == "/") { $ctUrl = ""; } ?>

Digrain C40WP

Wettable powder insecticide, 40% Cypermethrin

$relatedPrCategory = $db1->getval("SELECT clCtId FROM categoryLinks WHERE clLinkTable='Products' AND clLinkId='$relatedPrId' ORDER BY clOrder DESC","clCtId"); if ($relatedPrCategory) { $ctUrl = categoryUrl($relatedPrCategory); } if ($ctUrl == "/") { $ctUrl = ""; } ?>

I8059

Digrain Control 600ml

Giant 600ml aerosol, 0.25% Permethrin and 0.24% Tetramethrin

$relatedPrCategory = $db1->getval("SELECT clCtId FROM categoryLinks WHERE clLinkTable='Products' AND clLinkId='$relatedPrId' ORDER BY clOrder DESC","clCtId"); if ($relatedPrCategory) { $ctUrl = categoryUrl($relatedPrCategory); } if ($ctUrl == "/") { $ctUrl = ""; } ?>

IFGR10

Digrain Fly Reel Glue Roll 10m

IFGR10

$relatedPrCategory = $db1->getval("SELECT clCtId FROM categoryLinks WHERE clLinkTable='Products' AND clLinkId='$relatedPrId' ORDER BY clOrder DESC","clCtId"); if ($relatedPrCategory) { $ctUrl = categoryUrl($relatedPrCategory); } if ($ctUrl == "/") { $ctUrl = ""; } ?>

IFRK

Digrain Fly Reel Kit

IFRK

$relatedPrCategory = $db1->getval("SELECT clCtId FROM categoryLinks WHERE clLinkTable='Products' AND clLinkId='$relatedPrId' ORDER BY clOrder DESC","clCtId"); if ($relatedPrCategory) { $ctUrl = categoryUrl($relatedPrCategory); } if ($ctUrl == "/") { $ctUrl = ""; } ?>

I5235

Insectaclear Strong+ (5 Litre)

RTU dual active insecticide, 0.04% Imiprothrin and 0.06% Cyphenothrin

$relatedPrCategory = $db1->getval("SELECT clCtId FROM categoryLinks WHERE clLinkTable='Products' AND clLinkId='$relatedPrId' ORDER BY clOrder DESC","clCtId"); if ($relatedPrCategory) { $ctUrl = categoryUrl($relatedPrCategory); } if ($ctUrl == "/") { $ctUrl = ""; } ?>

K-OBIOLULV15

K-Obiol ULV 15L

Liquid grain protectant - treats 357 T

$relatedPrCategory = $db1->getval("SELECT clCtId FROM categoryLinks WHERE clLinkTable='Products' AND clLinkId='$relatedPrId' ORDER BY clOrder DESC","clCtId"); if ($relatedPrCategory) { $ctUrl = categoryUrl($relatedPrCategory); } if ($ctUrl == "/") { $ctUrl = ""; } ?>

K-Obiol ULV6 Spray Application Equipment

Portable Digital Pump


RELATED DOWNLOADS


Digrain Bugster EC Label
PDF
Digrain Bugster EC MSDS
PDF
Digrain C40 WP Agri Label
PDF
Digrain Control 600ml Label
PDF
Digrain Control 600ml MSDS
PDF
Digrain C40 WP MSDS
PDF
Digrain Fly Reel Glue Label
PDF
Insectaclear Strong + (5 Litre) Label
PDF
Insectaclear Strong + (5 Litre) MSDS
PDF
K-Obiol ULV 15L Label
PDF
K-Obiol ULV 15L MSDS
PDF
© 2024 Lodi UK. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Cookie Policy