The team from Digital Dairy Chain and SRUC are hosting an event in Dumfries and Galloway showcasing their work in cow welfare.

Using technology and observations across farms in the region has helped them understand more about animal welfare in an automated way, allowing a better understanding of herd health and dynamics. Information on the behaviour and welfare of a farmer’s herd will help them to make better informed management decisions for their cows. Cows with improved welfare tend to have improved health, saving on costs associated with disease and injury, as well as supporting higher milk production, making a farm more financially resilient.

The event will be in a walk and talk format, and you will hear about:

• Cow welfare, Happy Cows, research
• Calf shed project and how improving the environment can improve calf health
• Cow preference for bedding types and its impact
• Heat stress research project and ways to improve shed ventilation and its importance

Lunch will be provided.

• Friday 15th May: 10.30am – 1.30pm – Inchparks, Stranraer, DG9 8QN

Sign up: Digital Dairy Chain Events or email info@digitaldairychain.co.uk

European Re-emergence Highlights High Risk for Scottish Pig Sector

A new assessment (APHA Report #40) has confirmed that African Swine Fever (ASF) remains an evolving threat to the Scottish pig industry. With the virus re-emerging in previously "clean" areas of Germany and ongoing outbreaks in Spain, Scottish keepers are urged to review their biosecurity and contingency plans immediately.

Key Developments in Europe

• Germany Re-emergence: Saxony, which was declared ASF-free in February 2026, lost its status on April 1 after a new case was detected in wild boar. Cases also continue in Western Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia).
• Spanish Outbreaks: Authorities in Catalonia are still managing multiple outbreaks in wild boar, implementing intensive population control and fencing to prevent spread into domestic herds.
• Transmission Insights: A recent study in Romania reveals that 60% of farm infections originate from other farms, while 27% come from wild boar. The study also proposed that around 40% of infections to wild boars originated on farms which underscores the importance of preventing contact between farms and between farms and wild boar (via people, vehicles, or equipment), with good biosecurity including fencing.

What This Means for Scotland

The Scottish Government updated its biosecurity guidance on March 27, 2026, emphasizing that "human-mediated" spread is the single biggest threat to our national herd.

Scottish Government have now closed the Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory for 2025; no further amendments or submissions are being accepted.

The inventory was open from 1 December 2025 until midnight on 30 January 2026.

From 1st February 2026 - Mandatory BVD testing for all calves born to dams that were moved onto the holding during pregnancy.

If an in-calf heifer or cow moves onto your holding, its calf must be BVD antigen/virus tested and the result uploaded before it is 40 days old, or before it is moved off the holding – whichever occurs first.  This requirement applies to calves born on or after 1st February 2026. These calves cannot leave the herd without an individual antigen/virus BVD negative status.

Failure to test these calves within the required timescale, will result in the holding status being downgraded to Not Negative (or Positive if a Persistently Infected animal is on the holding).

The most cost-effective way of BVD testing young calves is by tissue tagging.  

•    Order BVD management tags in advance
•    Send samples to the lab promptly
•    Max three tags advised per animal
  
Please note the above is in addition to your routine testing requirements. 

 
From 1st February 2026 - Further restrictions for breeding herds that have not completed the Compulsory BVD Investigation (CBI) within the required 13 months of entering:

•    Cattle movement/s onto the holding will be restricted
•    The CPH will be publicly listed on ScotEID

For the official guidance on the BVD eradication scheme - https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-bvd-eradication-scheme
 

Please note that the ScotEID website will be down for some minor system updates on Friday 23 January. The system will be unavailable between 23:50 – 01:30.

Scotland along with England, and Wales were recently recognised as BSE Negligible Risk (NR) status by the WOAH and the EU.  Northern Ireland and Jersey achieved BSE NR status in 2017 and 2020 respectively.  However, the Isle of Man and Guernsey do not currently have BSE NR status but are intending to apply for it.

There are currently 460 Isle of Man cattle in Scotland on 59 farms.  There are also a number of cattle from the Isle of Man and Guernsey on English, and Welsh farms.  These animals and their carcases require a different dressing procedure to NR cattle. 

The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) have confirmed that none of their members have said they will not accept cattle from the Isle of Man.  What they have pointed out is that these cattle will require to be dealt with separately from NR cattle.  This adds complication and potential costs for the abattoir in handling these cattle.  Keepers that have Isle of Man cattle should speak to their chosen abattoir first before consigning animals.

For more detailed information please refer to the information note that was sent out by Defra:
11/12/2025 BSE Risk status: Cattle from Guernsey and Isle of Man - Industry briefing

The ScotEID Office is open with a limited number of staff due to disruption caused by the weather.  Please be patient if you are trying to call the office and if we are unable to answer your call please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you.  Alternatively, please email help@scoteid.com.

The Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory for 2025 is now open and available for completion at www.scoteid.com/survey

Sheep and Goat keepers have been sent an email from the Animal Health and Welfare Disease Prevention Team within Scottish Government.

The SGAI is available to complete via the online survey only. More information is available in the guidance. The survey closes on the 30th January 2026, please ensure your Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory is completed by then.

Should you have any queries relating to the survey that are not connected to completing it, please email sheepandgoatinventory@gov.scot

Click here to read the Scottish Government official notice to complete the annual inventory.

Scottish Government have announced their intention to remove the calving interval conditionality for some small herd producers.

“The 410-day interval will remain the same in 2026. But we intend to establish a derogation for the calving interval condition to any businesses claiming 10 calves or fewer in a scheme year.

This will mean that those claiming support for 10 calves or fewer in 2026 will not need to meet the calving interval requirement. This change, which is subject to legislation, will also apply in future years.”

If you have any questions around these requirements you should refer to the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) quick guide, the Agricultural Reform Route Map (ruralpayments.org) or contact your local RPID office.