Bluetongue virus: The news of the first confirmed case of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in a ram which died in Wexford is generating more discussions on vaccination.
There are three vaccines licensed for use in Ireland and Britain: Bluevac-3, Bultavo 3 and Syvazul BTV-3.
Bluevac-3 requires two vaccine shots of 2ml three weeks apart while Bultavo 3 and Syvazul BTV-3 are a single-administration programme of 1ml and 2ml, respectively. Immunity to Syvazul builds after 28 days following administering the vaccine in sheep while full immunity builds after three weeks following vaccination in the other two vaccines.
Vaccination does not prevent infection and transmission of the virus, but greatly helps to curtail the severity of clinical symptoms.
The vaccine can only be sourced through your vet and it is wise to order in advance of when it will be required as many vets do not carry a supply of the vaccine. See page 39 for some reader questions and answers. If you have further questions WhatsApp or text 086 8366465 or email farmtechtalk@farmersjournal.ie and we will endeavour to get you an answer to your query.
Temporary grazing: The positive grass growth rates and low appetite among some farmers to purchase sheep is bringing temporary grazing agreements back on the agenda. The requirement to inform the Department of Agriculture’s regional veterinary offices (RVO) depends on circumstances on the farm to which sheep are moving.
If sheep are moving to tillage lands to graze green cover crops, for example, or to a holding possessing no livestock, then sheep can be moved to and from the temporary grazing without notifying the RVO of the movement.
If there are stock present on the land parcels to which sheep are moving to then National Sheep Identification System (NSIS) rules state that the RVO must be notified but as there is no change in ownership the onus lies with the owner of the sheep.
This can be completed by completing a dispatch document as normal and sending the pink copy to the local RVO. Where sheep are returning to the farm of ownership, then this can be notified by sending the white copy to the RVO clearly marked ‘return from temporary grazing’.
A caveat to the above rule is where sheep are moving to a separate land parcel with no stock. In this case sheep can be moved without notifying the RVO. Note that if credit is required for organic nitrogen produced while grazing on the temporary grazing farm then a record 4 must be sent to the Department’s Nitrates section in Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford.
SWS action deadlines: The general deadline for completion of actions in the sheep welfare scheme is 13 October 2026. Farmers who opted for the later completion date at the time of applying have until 24 November 2026 to complete actions.
There are also dates in the Sheep Improvement Scheme to be mindful to for the different actions. The final of five lameness assessments under this action must be completed before mating commences.
The parasite control (faecal egg count) action requires two faecal egg counts to be tested in a suitable laboratory before 30 September. The date of 30 September is also the deadline to complete the flystrike action.