Longford farmers warned over bluetongue threat to cattle and sheep

The Bluetongue Virus is set to potentially cause a big risk to our cattle herds and sheep flocks in 2026. 

Upon listening with a degree of concern over the last month or so, to vets within the department of agriculture and vets in private practice outlining how this virus spreads and the impact it could have, it became clear that this disease is potentially a big threat to the Irish agricultural sector.

All cattle and sheep are susceptible to the disease with some of the clinical signs including fever, loss of appetite, drop in milk yield, lesions, sores and ulcerations, swelling of the face, lips and tongues, increased salivation and drooling from the mouth as well as discharge from the eyes and nose and lameness according to the department of agriculture, food and the marine.

Read: "Who's going to save the turf?" Minister shares turf tale at Longford event

Evidence from Britain and Europe would suggest that, currently, these symptoms appear to be more severe in sheep.

One of the main aspects of the disease that I took from the information I received was its threat on the reproductive performance of cattle and sheep which have become infected by the virus.

Infertility is a big risk in both infected cows and heifers and also ewes and hoggets.

When these animals become pregnant, infected animals may abort or give birth to unviable offspring that are unable to function and have to be put down.

The bluetongue virus spreads by midges. If a midge lands on and bites an animal infected with bluetongue, this midge which has become a carrier, can then fly (or be carried by the wind) and land on another animal.

When this midge bites one of these cattle or sheep, then that animal then becomes infected and the cycle continues.

Read: A one-in-a-million chance! Big surprise for Longford farmer

Midge activity is higher in warmer weather so while there is a risk of disease spread at any time of the year, the high-risk period is from May to October.

Given that bluetongue is now in the country and that it would prove very difficult to stop the spread of the disease, it would be advisable for farmers, particularly with breeding enterprises to contact their vet to seek advice on combatting this disease without delay.

Watch: Gone in 30 seconds! Rapid sale of Longford property at auction

Read: Longford farming: 'Looking after yourself is as important as looking after livestock'