Fears in Devon over bluetongue's effect on livestock fertility
Farmers in Devon, UK, are reporting concerns over the impact of the bluetongue virus on livestock fertility, specifically regarding ram breeding success. Veterinary testing indicates that animals infected with the virus or vaccinated during the outbreak show significantly lower fertility rates.
Why it matters
The outbreak threatens the agricultural economy and food supply chain by disrupting the breeding cycles of sheep and cattle.
Image source, Jerry Sanders-Carr Image caption, Jerry Sanders-Carr is waiting to find out the full extent of the impact of bluetongue on his livestock's fertility
Farmers with livestock affected by bluetongue face an anxious wait to measure the impact the virus has had on their animals' fertility.
Bluetongue is an insect-borne viral disease affecting sheep and cattle among other animals.
Jerry Sanders-Carr who runs livestock farm Exe Valley Lamb said the fertility of his flock had been affected with several of his rams failing initial tests, although passing them when retested weeks later.
He said "I've never had a ram fertility-tested in the past" and added "nobody really knows how rams will recover, as we are finding out".
Image caption, Farmers have sought fertility testing for their rams to measure the impact of the virus on breeding
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