Farming Friends

In September bluetongue was detected in British livestock.

The signs of bluetongue in sheep are;

• Eye and nasal discharges.
• Drooling as a result of ulcers in the mouth.
• High body temperature.
• Swelling of the mouth, head and neck.
• Lameness.
• Tiredness.
• Fever.
• Haemorrhages into or under the skin.
• Inflammation at the junction of the skin and the horn of the foot.
• Respiratory problems – difficulty with breathing and nasal discharge.
• A blue tongue is rarely a clinical sign of infection.
• Deaths of sheep in a flock may reach as high as 70 per cent.
• Animals that survive the disease can lose condition with a reduction in meat and wool production.

Source Defra.

For more detailed information visit the Defra website.

In September bluetongue was detected in British livestock.

The signs of bluetongue in cattle are;

• Nasal discharge.
• Swelling of the head and neck.
• Conjunctivitis (runny eyes).
• Swelling in, and ulcers, of the mouth.
• Swollen teats.
• Tiredness.
• Saliva drooling out of the mouth.
• Fever.
• It is possible that cattle will show no signs of illness.

Source: Defra.

For more detailed information visit the Defra website.

“Bluetongue is a disease of animals affecting all ruminants, including sheep, cattle, deer, goats and camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas, guanaco and vicuña). It does not affect horses. Although sheep are most severely affected, cattle are the main mammalian reservoir of the virus…… Bluetongue does not affect humans.” Defra.

How are these animals infected?

Bluetongue is caused by a virus which is carried by midges. The midges transmit the virus from one animal to another.

“Foot and mouth disease is an infectious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, in particular cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and deer.” Defra.

Signs of Foot And Mouth Disease In Sheep

• Sudden, severe lameness.
• Lies down frequently and is very unwilling to rise.
• When made to rise stands in a half-crouching position, with hind legs brought well forward.
• Reluctant to move.
• Blisters may be found on the hoof where the horn joins the skin which may extend all round the coronet and in the cleft of the foot. When they burst the horn is separated from the tissues underneath, and hair round the hoof may appear damp.
• Blisters may appear on the dental pad and sometimes the tongue.
• Fatigue in young lambs.
• Higher rate of lamb mortality and abortions.
• Ewes unwilling to allow lambs to suckle.

Source: Defra.

For more detailed information visit the Defra website.

The Foot And Mouth Disease that plagued the UK back in 2001 is back in the UK and with a number of FMD cases identified in the last few months it is important that everyone knows what signs to look out for.

“Foot and mouth disease is an infectious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, in particular cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and deer.” Defra.

As an owner of pigs, it is very important that I check my pigs regularly for signs of illness.

Signs of Foot And Mouth Disease In Pigs

Source: Defra.

For more detailed information visit the Defra website.

The Foot And Mouth Disease that plagued the UK back in 2001 is back in the UK and with a number of FMD cases identified in the last few months it is important that everyone knows what signs to look out for.

“Foot and mouth disease is an infectious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, in particular cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and deer.” Defra.

As cattle farmer’s it is very important that we check our livestock regularly for signs of illness.

Signs of Foot And Mouth Disease In Cattle

• Slobbering and smacking lips.
• Shivering.
• Tender and sore feet.
• Lameness.
• Reduced milk yield.
• Sores and blisters on feet, mouth or tongue.
• Raised temperature.

Source: Defra.

For more detailed information visit the Defra website.

Today marks the start of the Year Of Food And Farming in the UK. As the Year Of Food And Farming website states, the Year Of Food And Farming is, “An exciting campaign to help children find out more about the countryside and where their food comes from through memorable, first-hand learning experiences!

The Year runs from September 2007 to July 2008 and during that time, there’ll be exciting opportunities for children to:

The Farming Friends website can help to deliver these opportunities to children and schools and this is why Farming Friends has registered it’s support of the campaign and now features on the Year Of Food And Farming Megamap. The Megamap will build up a picture of all the activity that is happening during the Year of Food and Farming. If you are involved in teaching, farming, catering, food production, or horticulture, then you may be able to offer support. So register your support today and help children and schools learn about food and farming.