This free, veterinary-led, webinar will take a practical, balanced look at bluetongue and the different approaches farmers can consider when developing a farm-specific plan.
Our three priorities are simple:
Reduce the risk of disease developing
Minimise suffering and livestock losses
Protect the viability of the farm business
Bluetongue is a complex disease involving both the Culicoides biting midge, which acts as the vector, and the bluetongue virus itself. The health, nutrition, environment and general resilience of the animals may also influence how well a flock or herd copes with disease challenges.
Rather than concentrating solely on treating animals once they become ill, the webinar will explore a whole-farm approach, with prevention and early action at its heart.
Understanding bluetongue
How the disease is transmitted, how it develops and the factors that may influence risk.
Veterinary and regulatory options
Current veterinary approaches, including vaccination, recognising clinical signs, the requirements surrounding this notifiable disease, and when veterinary or statutory action is needed.
Husbandry and resilience
Practical management considerations that can support livestock health, together with measures specifically relevant to reducing bluetongue and midge-related risks.
Complementary approaches
We will also discuss the use of complementary approaches within Whole Health Agriculture, including homeopathy and herbs. This will include the rationale behind approaches aimed at prevention, early intervention and supporting clinically affected animals.
We will distinguish between established veterinary measures and complementary approaches where evidence is limited or still developing, enabling farmers to make informed decisions with their veterinary advisers.
Learning together
Finally, we will explore the possibility of creating a farmer learning network. By recording outcomes and sharing experiences, farmers can help build a clearer picture of what happens when a whole-health management approach is used in real farm situations.
This webinar isn't about presenting a single answer to bluetongue.
It is about helping farmers to:
understand the disease
understand and evaluate all available options
make the best informed decisions for their own livestock and farming system.
Chris Aukland is Whole Health Agriculture's veterinary surgeon and Head of Livestock Health Programmes, helping farmers and livestock keepers explore practical whole health approaches that support vitality, resilience and wellbeing in animals. Chris advises and teaches globally on integrated health management and disease prevention.