The Spectre of Blue Tongue

[SheepyJames]

Well - it was bound to happen sooner or later. We are now officially part of the 90 mile protection zone as a result of the latest outbreak in Poole.

I just hope they get on with producing the vaccine which they have promised us. Blue Tongue is potentially far more damaging than Foot and Mouth because of the way the disease is transmitted and the impossibilty of controlling the spread of the mosquitos who carry it.

Fingers crossed!!

[SummerSkye]

Hi Sheepy, not good news at all. You will have to have in place some effective mosquito control to help stop them breeding. It seems an odd time over winter for this to raise its head or was the outbreak earlier? Sorry I am not up to date on UK news.

[Oola]

It does seem odd - and worrying - that it should rear its head at this time of year. Maybe it has been because of the recent mild spell? Hopefully we'll get a cold spell that'll keep the blighters at bay.

What do you have to do when you become part of the restricted zone, apart from limit the movement of your animals? Are there any practices that can help to keep blue tongue at bay?

[fife]

I think it is definitely because of the mild spell! hopefully it will get colder.

[SheepyJames]

I think it was the recent spell of mild weather that has encouraged the mossies. As far as I can gather (because I haven't yet mustered the energy to do battle with the DEFRA website!) animals can be traded within the extended zone - which now covers most of the south of the England.

There is absolutely nothing anyone can do to protect their animals until a vaccine is available. For most animals BT involves general illness and loss of condition. Sadly for sheep it is often fatal and can wipe out entire flocks.

Being a hobby sheep farmer is becoming less and less enjoyable and some days I wonder why I still keep sheep. Foot and Mouth, Blue Tongue, EU regulations, tagging and now double tagging plus all the raft of form filling rather takes the edge off the enjoyment of it. Then I go out to have a chat with my woollies and remember why I love them so! What a daft old bat I am!!

[sunflower]

You probably told us before(sorry) but what breed of sheep have you and how many? I do so love sheep and can understand why, amidst all the complexities of keeping livestock you continue to have them.

[SheepyJames]

They're heinz 57, Sunflower! To be in with a chance of staying ewe have to have a good fleece, be a good mother with plenty of milk and be friendly and co-operative! I have one line which is Jacob/Dorset based originally, and another which is Shetland/Dorset/Suffolk. It upsets OH who would like to see a uniform flock of Suffolks outside the window rather than my motley crew!! I am working on getting pics on here, but am a bit confused about my URL - if you see what I mean!!

[sunflower]

We would love to see some pics when you have worked it out.

[Oola]

Sheepyjames, if you go to the "Go Advance" button here in the Quick Reply, you'll be taken to a new window. Scroll down a little and there is a button called Manage Attachments and you can attach pics that are on your computer from there.

[SheepyJames]

OK I know this isn't a sheep - I'm just practising!

Meet Jesse the ace hunter and acrobat - er - resting!

[SheepyJames]

YES!! Got to wash up but will be back later to upload sheep.

Thanks Oola!!

[SheepyJames]

Some sheep and my little Molly Dog!

[Pippa]

Suitably impressed with Jesse and resting, isn't that what cats do, well mine do a lot of it. Have not heard about the Blue Tongue down here, didn't realise there were many pigs in Poole (take that remark any way you want). What with Avian flu in Abbotsbury, Dorset is becoming a dangerous place to be but sincerely hope it does not spread and your lovely sounding sheep continue to thrive.

[sunflower]

Thanks so much SheepyJames for the pics of your sheep. They look adorable. Um....dare I ask, are you very professional and do'nt have names for them, or have you named your sheep?

[sheddie]

Lovely pics sheepy, you've done it at last eh? X

[Healing Hands]

We had blue tongue here last summer, I was hearing on the news tonight that they may not have the injections ready in time to give to the cattle when the midge's arrive at the end of next month, so it looks like we could be having blue tongue back in the area again.

I love the photo by the way sheepy of your dog, your dog reminds me of my dog that I had as a child, we called him "Griff"

[SheepyJames]

Vaccine not going to be ready in time, Healing Hands? Why does that not surprise me?

Some of my "old faithfuls" have names, Sunflower, but I try not to give names to any I know have to go! My avatar is called Winnie. She is 16 years old and I don't think she will lamb this year. She deserves a happy retirement now, although she seems to be running a sort of unofficial creche for the lambs, babysitting them when their mothers get fed up with them!!