The administration of bluetongue vaccines around the country has ramped up as farmers move to protect their herds ahead of the high-risk period.

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a disease spread by biting midges, which are most active and capable of spreading the virus in Ireland between April and November. Farmers can administer the vaccine, which comes in 50-dose bottles, themselves.

For cattle, 1ml of the vaccine should be administered into the muscle with a repeat dose in three weeks time. Vaccination in sheep requires a single subcutaneous injection.

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Farmers have reported paying between €4 and €4.30 per animal per 1ml dose.

Dairy farmer Declan Murphy from Rathcormac in Co Cork plans to vaccinate his cows and heifers next week, ahead of breeding.

Murphy told the Irish Farmers Journal that it’s going to cost in the region of €1,400 to vaccinate his herd but said if it’s going to become a regular thing, he might as well start this year.

Reports from farmers are that it is taking in the region of seven days for the vaccine to arrive once ordered.

Waterford vet Ger Cusack estimated that 50% of farmers around him are vaccinating.

“Not everybody is rushing into get the vaccine but we’re in Waterford here, we’re not far from Wexford so it makes sense to mitigate the risk. It’s costly, but if you prevented a couple of abortions or deaths there’s your vaccine paid for.

“I certainly would be advising farmers to vaccinate. Lads need to go about it as soon as possible. If they don’t start soon it’ll be a disaster trying to do it during breeding.”

After taking advice, Teagasc confirmed it is planning to vaccinate breeding stock.

“This is in order to reduce risk as well ensure that studies are not affected if there was to be an outbreak.”

All herds vaccinating for bluetongue need to be registered with the Department of Agriculture by the vet who supplied the vaccine and farmers need to keep a record of all animals vaccinated for five years.

The number of doses administered, as well as the vaccine name and batch number, need to be recorded.