Completed bluetongue vaccinations will encourage more Scottish store cattle buyers

Store cattle breeders selling at North of England auction markets can widen the range of competition for their stock, and hopefully earn more money, if they inject them, pre-sale, against bluetongue virus eight (BTV8).

This advice comes from the National Beef Association after confirmed reports that many Scottish buyers have not been present at some of the most important store cattle venues in the Northern England this spring because too few English animals have been vaccinated.

"Scotland finished a compulsory bluetongue vaccination programme at the end of April and Scottish feeders are looking for cattle they can turn out immediately to grass – instead of holding them in yards for an additional month until they complete the vaccination course themselves, " explained NBA director, Kim Haywood.

"Scottish feeders are important price setters at the North of England’s store sales and if local breeders want to take advantage of the additional competition their presence creates, they should make sure their stock have been vaccinated for BTV8 and then declare that they have done this when their animals come under the hammer."

"Similar problems are anticipated at the North of England’s breeding sales if Scottish buyers also decide to stay away from these because too few cattle have completed their bluetongue protection programme," Ms Haywood added.