[Blacksheep]

I think you are right re the denial at government level, chief vet was saying that its not any more of a problem that farmers are faced with on a regular basis, I am not sure that will be the case for those with badly affected flocks at lambing time, guess they are just hoping that the majority of flocks will not be affected.   We are due to start lambing in 2 to 3 weeks time and have just heard from a farmer neighbour of a farmer friend of his who started lambing this month and so far has lost 50% of his lamb crop, about 20 miles from us.  I think a lot of early lambing flocks have to expect problems, for once I am pleased that we have a rather spread out lambing.

[bazzais]

I dont think the goverment or farmers for that matter want too much of it in the news - public panick over british meat supplies could wreck the industry when its just starting to look a little better. 

Alot of the true figures I fear will go unreported - and figures will not be able to be collerated by government agencies.

Locally we'll know the truth and its not looking good.

We havnt tupped this year.  Only a few 'accidentals'.

x to all - horrible situation to be dealing with.

Baz

[feldar]

I think there has been a lot of covering up, especially by the farming press.
We know people from the West Country who only have 1/3 of there lamb crop this year. I know some reports will get blown out of proportion, but we have friends who talk about bags of dead lambs going to the knackers, so i think there's very much an impact.
I think it will die a death once the vaccine comes out, a bit like Bluetongue and we will hope fully see this horrible disease if not dissappear it will lessen and be a thing of the past.

[Marches Farmer]

In-lamb Texels were going for killing prices at market yesterday - no-one wants to take the risk.

[Remy]

I was interested to read today that Defra consider SBV to be a 'low impact' disease .... 

[oaklandspigs]

I was interested to read today that Defra consider SBV to be a 'low impact' disease .... 

Of course - it's low impact for Defra as there's nothing for them to do !

[deepinthewoods]

on the westcountry news tonight, just said the forecast is up to 50% of the crop here has been lost. low impact??

they also said that farmers were reporting but it wasnt getting through to defra, and this meant that there wasnt sufficient pressure to press for the development of the vaccine.

[feldar]

Just finished the first batch for this season got two ewes for late January that went to the sweeper ram then we start again in early March. i thought it was Feb but according to hubby i've got another month's grace!
We've had no more SBVs so i'm hopeful the later batch willl all be ok
Our friend in Somerset had the vet to a huge lamb they coudn't get out of the ewe. The vet gave up as well, it was too big to take out by C section as he said he would have to open her so wide she would be useles afterward, plus the lamb was dead. they shot the ewe and out of interest did a PM. the lamb that came out weighed 15 kgs!!! no i'm not kidding you it was huge and twisted up and had fluid retained under it's skin which added to the size. the next morning when he picked the bag up he had put it in he said he had about 2or 3 pints of fluid in the bottom of it.
I'm glad we haven't had anything as bad as that.

[Hazelwood Flock]

That sounds dreadful Feldar  . My first GFD ewe lambed today and had a normal ram lamb, he's full of colostrum and jumping beans tonight! I'm really hoping my lot have escaped SBV - the main of the flock start on the 18th 

[Buffy the eggs layer]

Hi All,
   I have just put a post up on my blog about my schmallenberg experiences last week. Those of you who have not yet lambed may find it helpful.
www.thechickenwhisperer.co.uk
There is also a link on the Accidental smallholder facebook site.
Good luck everyone and fingers crossed for those of us who lamb late.

[feldar]

Hi Buffy
Just read your blog and it's really informative and exactly what we have been experiencing, though on the positive side our later January lambs have all been ok.
I am really hopeful for the March lambers that they will all be immune or bitten before the ram went in. One thing is sure though i will be vaccinating, if they ever get the bloody vaccine out!

[Bionic]

On the Welsh news last night they were talking to a farmer who has had 30% of his new lambs affected. Lots born dead and only one of the affected has survived. They filmed it and one of its front legs was badly deformed.
He said one of his neighbours has lost 95% of his flock to the disease.
Sally

[Foobar]

Gosh, just watched that on ITV catchup ... that guy is about 5 or so miles from me.  Mine start 1st March so I'm just hoping that I left it late enough.  We were certainly Midge Central around here for most of the summer/autumn.

[Blacksheep]

Hi Foobar, do you have a link for it on ITV catchup, I haven't managed to find it and would be interested to watch it (and probably worry myself as soon to start lambing on the borders).  Thank you

[Raine]

 


I think this is it http://www.itv.com/news/wales/update/2013-01-08/lambing-season-hit-by-virus/


If not, go to http://www.itv.com/news/wales/ and scroll down until you get to it. It's a long way down.


Quite scary as a first timer!