Study finds midges survive the cold

New research led by Queen’s University Belfast has found that biting midges are better at surviving cold temperatures than previously thought.

The study into cold tolerance across the midge life cycle was conducted with the Pirbright Institute and the results have been published in the Journal of Medical Entomology.

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It found that eggs survived temperatures as low as -18 degrees Celsius, which was the lowest temperature available in the experiment, so they could potentially tolerate even colder conditions.

Biting midges are responsible for transmitting various livestock diseases including Bluetongue and Schallenberg.

“This research provides critical biological evidence needed to improve vector-borne disease forecasting models and to refine assumptions used in climate-disease risk modelling,” said Dr Ross Cuthbert from Queen’s.

New BVD restrictions on breeding age females

Movement restrictions are to be introduced on female cattle over 12 months of age in herds where BVD positive animals are identified.

The new measures, which come into effect from 1 March 2026, aim to address the risk posed by “trojan” animals.

This is where females are exposed to the BVD virus during pregnancy and their calves are born as persistently infected (PI) animals.

Since 1 February 2026, herds face immediate movement restrictions on all cattle if BVD positive or inconclusive animals are detected.

The new additional measures will see breeding age females prohibited from moving for up to 41 weeks following removal of the last BVD positive animal.

In effect, the restrictions will remain in place for individual females until they calve and their calf has tested negative for BVD.

DAERA has said the rules do not prohibit movements to abattoirs for slaughter and the restrictions can be lifted earlier if certain blood tests are carried out.

Speakers confirmed for AFBI grass webinars

The Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) has confirmed the line-up of speakers for its upcoming three-part grassland webinar series.

The first event on 11 March will be about animal performance and will be chaired by AFBI’s David Patterson. Guest speakers include Andrew Clarke from the Foyle Food Group and Eileen McCloskey from CAFRE.

On 18 March, Suzanne Higgins from AFBI will lead a session on soil health with Cookstown farmer Bronagh O’Kane and a panel of other farmers and CAFRE advisers.

The last session on 25 March will be about fertiliser efficiency and will hear from AFBI’s Paul Cottney, UFU environment vice chair Andrew Wright and Jason Rankin from AgriSearch.

Each one-hour long webinar will begin at 8pm. Registration is available on the AFBI website.

Rural Support aims to raise funds

Cookstown based charity Rural Support has called on individuals, community groups and businesses across NI to sign-up to its one-day fundraising challenge, ‘Spring Forward Give Back’, which is taking place on Saturday 7 March.

The campaign target is for 100 people or businesses to raise £1,000 each on the day.

A number of groups and communities have already signed up to the campaign.

To get involved, contact the Rural Support Fundraising Team on 028 8676 0040 or email info@ruralsupport.org.uk to receive a free fundraising toolkit.

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Red hot trade at Ballymena Lim sale

A blistering trade for pedigree Limousin cattle saw prices soar at Ballymena Livestock Mart last Saturday.

Thirty bulls averaged £6,503, with supreme champion Ballyrobin Volvo leading the day at 15,000gns. Reserve champion Mossbrook Vector followed at 12,000gns, while Eniver Vance made 10,000gns. Four further bulls hit 7,500gns.

A small entry of four heifers sold to average £3,163 each.

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Legislation coming on CCTV in abattoirs

New legislation which will make it compulsory for all abattoirs in NI to have CCTV in place is due to come into operation on 5 May 2026.

The new regulations are currently going through Stormont and require business operators to have CCTV that is capable of providing a “complete and clear image of killing and related operations in all areas of the slaughterhouse where live animals are present”.

Similar legislation is already in place across Britain and was introduced on the back of a 2015 report by an independent advisory body established by government, known as the Farm Animal Welfare Committee. It suggested that CCTV would serve as a deterrent to any animal mistreatment and provide opportunities to study animal movement and behaviour at all stages of the slaughter process.

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Investigate cattle and sheep abortions, say AFBI

All abortions and stillbirths in cattle and sheep should be investigated in case there is more than one trigger, an AFBI scientist has said.

Dr Lauren McFarland from AFBI said abortions can have a range of causes, such as infectious diseases, mineral deficiencies, and trauma.

“Determining the cause of abortions and stillbirths is vital so that management steps can be taken on farm as soon as possible,” she said.

If abortions occur on your farm, the advice is to speak to your private vet and arrange to have aborted fetuses and placenta sent to AFBI laboratories at Stormont or Omagh for analysis.

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