LivestockAHDB expects beef output of 904,000 tonnes in 2026 and 896,000 in 2027, with prices above the five-year average, while muted demand, imports and bluetongue are the risks.
LivestockThe agriculture department reports 36 cattle and 3 sheep cases; mild winters may keep the biting midges that spread the virus active beyond the usual April to November risk period.
LivestockThe Rare Breeds Survival Trust says 60% of breed societies report members struggling to obtain bluetongue vaccine, with coverage below 20% in some rare breeds, and has asked Defra for smaller packs and vaccine-sharing guidance.
LivestockThe Veterinary Medicines Directorate warns that BTV-3 vaccines are prescription-only and cannot be passed between keepers, after reports of sales on social media, as confirmed bluetongue cases in Great Britain reach 3,338.
LivestockIreland's agriculture department has confirmed further bluetongue cases, bringing the total to 28 herds in 11 counties, 26 of them cattle and two sheep, with Wexford hardest hit; farmers and vets are urged to report suspect cases.
LivestockWith 2,878 bluetongue cases this season against 348 in all of last season, a Devon practice finds around 50% of some 800 tested rams infertile and urges fertility tests before tupping, while a sheep association survey points to strong vaccine demand for 2027.
LivestockMartin Heydon urged cattle and sheep farmers to vaccinate as new bluetongue cases appeared in Dublin, Meath, Roscommon, Longford and Waterford, and advised boosters and vaccination of calves born after herds were jabbed.
LivestockFrom 3 October cattle and sheep can move without licences across Scotland ahead of autumn sales; the disease has been found on 40 premises since 10 September, and leaders urge vaccination.
LivestockNational Fallen Stock Company data show Devon up 310% and Somerset 228% in August, as BTV-3 is confirmed on 2,124 premises in Great Britain this season.
LivestockSeafield Veterinary Group has confirmed bluetongue in Aberdeenshire, one of 38 cases in Scotland this season, and urges farmers not to wait until spring to vaccinate sheep, cattle and other ruminants.
LivestockWith midges still active and BTV-3 expected to overwinter, the UK's chief vet and farm vets urge dairy farmers to vaccinate, including youngstock, as vaccine supplies improve.
LivestockWith more than 1,600 BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season and eight in the Republic of Ireland, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir says clinical cases are likely to emerge in Northern Ireland and urges vaccination.
LivestockDAFM confirmed the first ovine BTV-3 detection on 21 September; more than 11,000 animals have been antibody-tested this year, 5.7 million vaccine doses licensed for import, and Britain has passed 1,500 cases this season.
