Stokesley 2025
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Contacts
Tel: 01322 611767 email:
[email protected]
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The BGS Yearbook for 2027
The editorial team would like to hear from BGS goatkeepers old and new!
We are looking for good quality photos of your goats - from breed champions to shots at home getting up to goaty shenanigans, advertising your herd and most importantly stories from your herd.
Our membership keeps goats for a huge variety of purposes, and we would like to showcase many of them - from show success and tips on how to get started, to successful business activities using all kind of products from our goats - the more unusual the better.
After a difficult summer season, we especially welcome articles - even smaller snippets - on how goatkeepers managed their stock during the heatwaves and drought.
The BGS has kindly agreed again to hugely discount the rates to advertise or place a photo in the Year Book in the hope this will encourage the members to support it.
Articles are very important and very welcome so please contact the editor if you have an idea to discuss further.
Half page advert or photo just £25 / Full page £45
Copy due by 1st of November
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR YEAR BOOK
Please contact the editorial team to discuss your ideas: [email protected]
The editorial team would like to hear from BGS goatkeepers old and new!
We are looking for good quality photos of your goats - from breed champions to shots at home getting up to goaty shenanigans, advertising your herd and most importantly stories from your herd.
Our membership keeps goats for a huge variety of purposes, and we would like to showcase many of them - from show success and tips on how to get started, to successful business activities using all kind of products from our goats - the more unusual the better.
After a difficult summer season, we especially welcome articles - even smaller snippets - on how goatkeepers managed their stock during the heatwaves and drought.
The BGS has kindly agreed again to hugely discount the rates to advertise or place a photo in the Year Book in the hope this will encourage the members to support it.
Articles are very important and very welcome so please contact the editor if you have an idea to discuss further.
Half page advert or photo just £25 / Full page £45
Copy due by 1st of November
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR YEAR BOOK
Please contact the editorial team to discuss your ideas: [email protected]
BTV cases continue to increase, and clinical signs are more severe than previous years.
Don’t miss the next #BattleBluetongue webinar on 19 August (5-6pm). Hear directly from industry experts and vets on the latest disease situation, and key information.
Be informed, stay vigilant and book via the AHDB website.
https://ahdb.org.uk/events/bluetongue-virus-update-19-august
Submit questions in advance: https://forms.office.com/e/dEpjrQE5bS
Don’t miss the next #BattleBluetongue webinar on 19 August (5-6pm). Hear directly from industry experts and vets on the latest disease situation, and key information.
Be informed, stay vigilant and book via the AHDB website.
https://ahdb.org.uk/events/bluetongue-virus-update-19-august
Submit questions in advance: https://forms.office.com/e/dEpjrQE5bS
I'm sure you are aware of the ongoing soaring cases of bluetongue serotype-3 (BTV-3) especially in the South West. The situation is extremely dynamic and so it is imperative to remain vigilant.
Keepers, please familiarise yourselves with the clinical signs of the virus. Sheep are currently more likely to show symptoms of the virus compared with cattle, clinical signs include:
• ulcers/sores in the mouth and nose
• discharge from eyes or nose
• drooling from the mouth
• swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck and coronary bands
• high fevers
• lameness
• milk drop
• inappetence
• abortions, stillbirths & foetal abnormalities
For more information on how to recognise bluetongue, please visit the DEFRA website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue
Please also refer to the Goat Veterinary society website: www.goatvetsociety.co.uk
If you suspect bluetongue, you must report it immediately by calling:
03000 200 301 in England
03003038268 in Wales
your local Field Services Office in Scotland
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. This means if you do not report it, you are breaking the law.
The main prevention of animals contracting bluetongue is vaccination. The current advised vaccination protocol in goats is an initial course of two doses 3 weeks apart with a booster at 12 months (based on sheep/cattle data), please note none of the vaccines in the UK are currently licensed for goats but have been used in Europe. (attached for your information is the bluetongue vaccine comparisons table). Vets please encourage your clients to vaccinate, and share bottles between smaller herds where possible to reduce costs in hope to increase vaccination uptake, by reporting vaccine usage as appropriate.
Jessica Hagain BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS
Keepers, please familiarise yourselves with the clinical signs of the virus. Sheep are currently more likely to show symptoms of the virus compared with cattle, clinical signs include:
• ulcers/sores in the mouth and nose
• discharge from eyes or nose
• drooling from the mouth
• swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck and coronary bands
• high fevers
• lameness
• milk drop
• inappetence
• abortions, stillbirths & foetal abnormalities
For more information on how to recognise bluetongue, please visit the DEFRA website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue
Please also refer to the Goat Veterinary society website: www.goatvetsociety.co.uk
If you suspect bluetongue, you must report it immediately by calling:
03000 200 301 in England
03003038268 in Wales
your local Field Services Office in Scotland
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. This means if you do not report it, you are breaking the law.
The main prevention of animals contracting bluetongue is vaccination. The current advised vaccination protocol in goats is an initial course of two doses 3 weeks apart with a booster at 12 months (based on sheep/cattle data), please note none of the vaccines in the UK are currently licensed for goats but have been used in Europe. (attached for your information is the bluetongue vaccine comparisons table). Vets please encourage your clients to vaccinate, and share bottles between smaller herds where possible to reduce costs in hope to increase vaccination uptake, by reporting vaccine usage as appropriate.
Jessica Hagain BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS
Goat Veterinary Society – Dedicated to goat care
The Society was formed in 1979 to promote interest in and improve knowledge of goats within the veterinary profession. It is a professional society and specialist species division of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), to which veterinary surgeons or associates may turn to for advice.