News
Keep up-to-date with the latest news.
The Sheep Veterinary Society have issued Guidelines on the examination of rams for breeding – BTV update – issued 27th August 2026 for use in addition to SVS standard advise
The circulating BTV3 variant in South West England has prompted discussion on social media forums leading to comments that the likelihood of midge-biting sheep and therefore BTV3 infection will be reduced in fully fleeced sheep and that farmers should not sheep their sheep to reduce risks*.
The National Sheep Association (NSA) and the Sheep Veterinary Society (SVS) are working together to provide helpful, practical guidance for UK farmers as the number of bluetongue (BTV) cases continue to rise and we approach the time of year when breeding and store sheep sales peak.
Vaccination is the only way to protect herds and flocks against increasing cases of Bluetongue serotype-3 (BTV-3), veterinary and livestock industry leaders have said.
The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Worms Sustainably (COWS) urge livestock farmers to think twice before applying dips, insecticides or repellents to their livestock in the hope of preventing infection with bluetongue virus (BTV) transmitted by midges. These products are not licensed for this purpose, and there is no evidence that they can kill Culicoides midges quickly enough to prevent infection or sustain protection against onward transmission.
Blue tongue virus update – we are seeing significant reports of cases of BTV, with the South West being a hotspot at the moment, with many cases being reported over the weekend!
VMD launches new digital service for reporting problems with animal medicines
New service makes adverse event reporting easier and more efficient than ever.
A practical online short course has been designed to help sustainably manage haemonchosis using the FAMACHA scoring method.
The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) is urging sheep farmers to pause and assess before reaching for a routine Nematodirus treatment this spring. Warm spring weather means many lowland areas have passed the peak Nematodirus hatch before many lambs were old enough to be grazing.
The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) is pleased to announce that from today (Monday 13th April) it will be hosting a Blowfly Emergence Forecast on its website. This decision support tool will help sheep farmers take a proactive approach to flystrike prevention, providing an early warning, prompting close inspection and preventative strategies.
The latest Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) Nematodirus Hatching Forecast shows a mixed picture across the UK. In many parts of England, the midlands and south Wales, hatching is nearing, or at peak and in southern England we are already past peak hatching (as designated by a red triangle), in several areas, which means the main risk period has passed.