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Over 2000 farm animals feared dead in flooding
Sheep
Thousands of livestock are feared to have died in the floods caused by Storm Desmond earlier this month.
Charity calls for donations of fodder and feed

Thousands of livestock are feared to have died in the floods caused by Storm Desmond earlier this month.

Farmers Weekly say that latest estimates from the Fallen Stock Company show that around 2000 sheep and 100 cattle perished in the flood water.

The news comes as Forage Aid, a charity which supplied emergency livestock feed and bedding to farmers hit by the storm, repeated its call for fodder and feed.

Speaking to Farmers Weekly, Forage Aid founder Andrew Ward said: “It is very bad in places – there are many more animal fatalities than many people envisaged.

“Thousands of sheep have died or are missing – a lot of people I have spoken to believe they have been washed out into the Irish Sea.”

The charity say that they have received 200 pledges from farmers wanting donate forage, with nine livestock markets in Cumbria signed up as distribution depots for supplies.

However, they add that farmers wanting to donate supplied should do so through the Forage Aid website, and not turn up at the depots unannounced.  

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.