Useful Contacts

CHAIRMAN
Mike Hodgins, Lincs

SECRETARY
 Anne Lane - Tel. 01772 613928

TREASURER & MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES
Rita Peace - Tel. 01438 832964

HEMLIN EDITOR
Cathy Cassie - Tel. 01455 553097

PUBLICITY OFFICER
John Lane - Tel. 01772 613928

WEBSITE
Edward Lambert - 01785 282901

MINI DOT GETS GLOBAL FOLLOWING...

SHOW SEASON UPON US

SCHMALLENBERG - How's it affecting you?

Darren and Cathy Cassie's Knightley flock saw the birth of triplets over the Easter Weekend. Just one lamb survived, 'Dot' and her story reached the UK national press in the form of the Daily Mail and other local media covered the story too. Cathy has started Dot's Facebook page - CLICK HERE FOR DOT'S FACEBOOK PAGE.

With the show season fast approaching, don't forget to get your entries in! Specific breed classes exist at a number of shows including Cheshire County Show on 19 June.

Schmallenberg Virus is a new emerging livestock disease that has been detected in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.

It is similar to some other animal disease pathogens, such as Akabane and Shamonda viruses, which are transmitted by vectors, such as midges, mosquitoes and ticks.

The virus has been associated with brief mild/moderate disease (milk drop, pyrexia, diarrhoea) in adult cattle and late abortion or birth defects in newborn cattle, sheep and goats.

All the evidence currently suggests that the disease was brought into the UK from infected midges blown across the Channel. We have seen no evidence to suggest that it was from imported livestock. We are closely tracking the disease and will continue to work with partners across Europe and the UK to develop our knowledge of the disease.

Schmallenberg Virus is not a notifiable disease but farmers are asked to contact their veterinary surgeon if they encounter cases of ruminant neonates or fetuses which are stillborn, show malformations or are showing nervous disease.