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Bluetongue vaccine should be added to more schemes – ICMSA
Hannah Furlong
ICMSA livestock chair, Michael O’Connell has said farmers should be encouraged and supported to vaccinate for bluetongue ahead of the breeding season, by adding the vaccine to more schemes.
25 March 2026 Breeding & health
Bluetongue vaccination added to sheep and beef schemes
The Minister also confirmed that the actions included in the 2026 schemes would be similar to the practical measures contained in the 2025 scheme year
25 March 2026 News
New research claims to back up TB trading controls
One in six herds that had been TB-free for less than a year saw a breakdown in the period assessed, while the equivalent was just one in 20 for herds a decade free of the disease.
Bluetongue vaccination an option in 2026 beef and sheep welfare schemes
Beef farmers in the scheme will have to choose whether to vaccinate for bluetongue or clostridial diseases or calf pneumonia.
24 March 2026 News
Department warning over lead poisoning in cattle
Farmers are urged to carefully check their fields and hedgerows for sources of lead such as old car batteries before turning cattle out to pasture and before making silage this spring.
21 March 2026 News
UFU lobby MLAs at Stormont event
The theme of this year’s NI farm family day at Stormont was about building resilience in farming.
18 March 2026 Northern Ireland
Beef HealthCheck reports – 10 years on
Dr Nataschua Meunier takes a look back at the Beef HealthCheck programme and how it has evolved over the last 10 years.
18 March 2026 Breeding & health
Farmer Writes: the Shared Island TB project
Pilot TB project will operate across a defined study area covering northeast Donegal and northwest Northern Ireland
14 March 2026 Farmer Writes
Farmers advised to vaccinate for blackleg
The Department’s animal health surveillance programme recommends contacting your vet for the best blackleg vaccination procedure for your farm.
14 March 2026 News
Positive signs of lower BVD prevalence
Programme results for the first nine weeks of 2025 show the number of BVD-positive animals reducing from 134 head to 93 head
11 March 2026 News
BVD compensation increases announced by Minister Heydon
Compensation for a dairy-breed animal is increased from €160 to €200 and from €220 to €320 for a beef-breed animal, under the programme changes.
11 March 2026 News
ISA to monitor bluetongue situation closely
The Irish Shows Association has updated exhibitors regarding its position in relation to the bluetongue virus ahead of the 2026 show season.
10 March 2026 Pedigree