North Park Veterinary Farm

16/10/2025

Unfortunately we have had our first case of Bluetongue (BTV-3) confirmed within the practice in an unvaccinated cow near Okehampton. We are still well within the midge vector transmission season and the risk of new infections remains very high.

Whilst the reported number of cases in the UK is only 117 this vector season, with most of these cases only occurring since early September, it is important to note that the true number will be much higher. This is because APHA will only test up to 3 animals on a holding that has a suspicion of BTV-3, so many more are likely to be infected. In addition, the clinical signs in cattle are very subtle and often missed. Unfortunately, the true impact of BTV-3 may unfortunately not be realised until calving and lambing time, with the birth of non-viable youngstock. The two pictures show the SW case map on 8th September and then today.

Vaccination remains the only effective way to prevent BTV-3 infection.

15/10/2025

12/09/2025

🚨 Chicken Chat – 23rd Sept @ 5.30pm 🚨
Backyard chicken keepers, this one’s for you! 🐓
Join our specialist poultry vet for an evening on chicken health, diseases & Avian Influenza, plus a post-mortem demo.

📍 North Tawton branch
🎟 Free SHC members | £20 non-members
⚠️ Booking essential – limited spaces!

08/09/2025

Bluetongue has now been confirmed within the practice area this week, with two other cases in Cornwall. The risk of infection is currently very high - we continue to strongly recommend vaccination!

Why vaccinate?
High mortality rates in sheep.
Production losses in cattle - both dairy and suckler
Reproduction issues - high barren rates, non-viable calves and lambs

18/08/2025

We have a fantastic opportunity for a dedicated and experienced farm vet to join our team here at North Park Vets!

16/07/2025

On 11th July two new cases of Bluetongue 3 were confirmed in Herefordshire, testing positive at a premovement test. There has also been a sheep case in Oxfordshire. This marks the beginning of the new Bluetongue season, and with no movement restrictions now in place within England, recent (and continued) hot weather will almost certainly see the spread of the virus into the area. Vaccinate now if you’re still holding off - don’t wait! Speak to any of the vets today for more information.

29/05/2025

From today farmers can apply for grants worth up to £25,000 each to invest in machinery that boosts farm productivity.

Applications for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) opened on 29 May and will close in 6 weeks at midday on 10 July. Grants are available for boosting productivity, managing slurry or improving animal health and welfare.

DEFRA say: "From seed-planting robots that reduce labour costs, to slurry separator systems that bring down reliance on expensive fertilisers, this new round of the popular FETF will make £46.7m available to boost profitability by helping farmers cut costs while increasing efficiency."

Updates from Defra's Farming and Countryside Programme

24/04/2025

The next meeting for the smallholders club is fast approaching! Are you booked in?

10/03/2025

Tick borne disease has become a real problem for many of our clients in the practice, far and wide, over the past 5 years in particular. Can YOU 🫵 help with valuable research into this, and not only improve the situation on your farm, but many others as well?

15/02/2025

🚨🚨 BLUETONGUE - following our timely client meeting this week, further cases as close as East Devon have been found through routine surveillance. The restriction zone is now as close as Honiton 🚨🚨

We are currently in the low vector period, where midge activity is low and Bluetongue virus replication cannot happen due to colder temperatures, HOWEVER, Bluetongue will overwinter and start circulating once temperatures warm up. It is crucial to get ahead of this and start vaccinating. The vaccine has been authorised under general licence in England by the Chief Veterinary Officer, but this licence requires additional paperwork by vets and farmers once dispensed and injected, the details of which we have shared with all our farming clients.

This strain, BTV3, is not the same as BTV8 back in 2008. It is much more virulent. Experiences in the Netherlands and Germany where this started are 30% of sheep infected with 70% mortality. Significant production losses (milk and growth rates), fertility issues, including still births and deformities in cattle. More information can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bluetongue-information-and-guidance-for-livestock-keepers and here https://ruminanthw.org.uk/bluetongue-virus/

Contact us to discuss your specific needs such as vaccine timings depending on when you are lambing, calving etc.

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