Ark Vet Centre - Farm

21/08/2026

‼𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲‼️ 📣

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟭𝟭.𝟰𝟱𝗽𝗺 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟭 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

There are now three areas:
◾️𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 (𝗥𝗭):England and Wales
◾️𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 (𝗧𝗖𝗭): the designated area of south-west Scotland
◾️𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲: the rest of Scotland outside the TCZ

𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲
𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗭 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀, 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗧𝗖𝗭

🐑Sheep
◾️Must have a negative PCR test
◾️The sample must be taken within seven days before movement

🐂Cattle
Cattle must meet one of the following requirements:
◾️Fully vaccinated with Bultavo-3, with at least 21 days having passed since the final dose – no PCR test required; or
◾️Unvaccinated or vaccinated with another vaccine – a negative PCR test within seven days before movement is required.

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗭 𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗧𝗖𝗭

Scottish cattle and sheep can travel from the Free Zone to a market in either:
◾️The Restricted Zone; or
◾️The Scottish Temporary Control Zone
No pre-movement test is required, provided:
◾️The animals travel to the market and return to the Free Zone on the same day
◾️The visit takes place during daylight hours only
◾️Animals are unloaded after sunrise and loaded before sunset
When the animals return to the Free Zone:
◾️Isolation is strongly advised
◾️A post-movement PCR test is recommended
If the animals remain in the Restricted Zone or Scottish Temporary Control Zone for longer than one day:
◾️A negative PCR test must be completed before they can return to the Free Zone
◾️Cattle fully vaccinated with Bultavo-3 are exempt from the testing requirement
Movement licences

The correct licence must accompany the movement, and all conditions within it must be followed:

🔷𝗘𝗫𝗗𝟲𝟳𝟳(𝗦): 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗧𝗖𝗭 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀
https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/regulation-directive-order/2026/08/bluetongue-general-licence-to-move-animals-from-a-bluetongue-temporary-control-zone-tcz-to-a-restricted-zone-rz/documents/bluetongue-general-licence-to-move-animals-from-a-bluetongue-temporary-control-zone-tcz-to-a-restricted-zone-rz/bluetongue-general-licence-to-move-animals-from-a-bluetongue-temporary-control-zone-tcz-to-a-restricted-zone-rz/govscot%3Adocument/Bluetongue%2BVirus%2B%2528BTV%2529%2B-%2BLicensing%2B-%2BGeneral%2Blicence%2Bto%2Bmove%2Banimals%2Bfrom%2Ba%2Bbluetongue%2Btemporary%2Bcontrol%2Bzone%2Bto%2Ba%2Brestricted%2Bzone%2B210826.pdf
🔷𝗘𝗫𝗗𝟲𝟳𝟱(𝗦): 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗧𝗖𝗭
https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/regulation-directive-order/2026/08/bluetongue-general-licence-for-movements-of-animals-between-premises-inside-a-bluetongue-temporary-control-zone/documents/bluetongue-general-licence-for-movements-of-animals-between-premises-inside-a-bluetongue-temporary-control-zone/bluetongue-general-licence-for-movements-of-animals-between-premises-inside-a-bluetongue-temporary-control-zone/govscot%3Adocument/Bluetongue%2BVirus%2B%2528BTV%2529%2B-%2BLicensing%2B-%2BGeneral%2Blicence%2Bto%2Bmove%2Banimals%2Bwithin%2Ba%2Bbluetongue%2Btemporary%2Bcontrol%2Bzone%2B.pdf
🔷𝗘𝗫𝗗𝟲𝟰𝟱: 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0c4c8afcae986635db91c3/Bluetongue__BTV__-_Licensing_-_2026_controls_-_EXD645__EW__Scotland.pdf

Customers should check the location of both the departure holding and the destination before arranging any movement.

The latest information is available on the Scottish Government Bluetongue movement restrictions page.

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀.

𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗽𝘀 🌎➡https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/4867f4e1f680415898482df7aabb703d/page/Page?fbclid=IwY2xjawT1VSJwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMW5kcGVqbXhVYzhhZ3V4cXRzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEenrj4juAU2KVnos-YOnXY35fJN3N_mUOACy33cQ1E5hX8TMtFjyv2Poy8iGU_aem_VtWdtyh1z4iEcJNt2iBByw

20/08/2026

🔴 BLUETONGUE – TEMPORARY CONTROL ZONE IN SCOTLAND

Important notice for all local farmers and clients

The Scottish Government has today, 20 August 2026, declared a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) for Bluetongue following suspicion of Bluetongue virus on premises in Scotland.

If your premises are within the TCZ, the following restrictions apply:

🐑 MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS
“In accordance with article 13(6) of the 2012 Order, a person must not move any animal, embryo, o**m or semen to or from premises in the Temporary Control Zone except as authorised by a licence granted by the Scottish Ministers”

📋 LIVESTOCK INVENTORY
Keepers and occupiers within the zone must maintain an up-to-date inventory of animals on the premises, recording:
• Number of animals alive
• Number dead
• Number alive that are infected or likely to be infected with Bluetongue
• Births and deaths, including dates

The restrictions apply to ruminants and camelids covered by the legislation. Premises partly inside the TCZ and partly outside it are treated as being wholly within the zone.

📍 IMPORTANT: The exact extent of the Temporary Control Zone is defined by the APHA Interactive Bluetongue Virus Map.

We will continue to keep our farming clients updated as further information becomes available.

Please share this post with local farmers and livestock keepers.

19/08/2026

We will be hosting a Milksure training event at Lockerbie on Wednesday 23rd September 2026. 💊

Milksure provides an annual accreditation for dairy farms, and can help by reducing the risk of costly milk residue failures. Farmers can also benefit by seeing medicines used more efficiently, improved staff confidence and a demonstration to customers a clear commitment to producing pure, safe milk! 🥛

To book a place on the course contact the practice on 01576 202552. ☎️

17/08/2026

Stay ahead of TB by joining one of these dairy focussed meetings this August.

AHDB Dairy AHDB Scotland is hosting a series of 5 events to discuss TB with dairy farmers and vets. The sessions will cover important information such as implications of breakdowns, movement restrictions, as well how farmers can reduce risk on their own farms.

The events are taking place at Carrutherstown (18 Aug); Larkhall and Castle Kennedy (19 Aug) and Maybole (20 Aug) – details in the attached flyer and people can book at: https://ahdb.org.uk/events

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

🚨BLUETONGUE UPDATE – DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY🚨

The first confirmed case of Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) in Scotland has been reported here in Dumfries and Galloway.

With midge activity continuing and the risk of further transmission, we are encouraging all farmers across the region to remain vigilant and monitor their livestock closely.

Signs of bluetongue to look out for include:
• Fever
• Swelling of the face, lips or tongue
• Drooling and mouth ulcers
• Lameness
• Nasal discharge
• Reduced milk yield
• Lethargy or weakness

If you notice signs that could be consistent with bluetongue, contact the practice immediately. Early reporting and testing are important in helping to monitor and control the spread of the disease.

Vaccination 💉

Vaccination remains an important tool in reducing the risk and severity of disease in eligible animals.

Ark Vet Centre currently has a limited supply of vaccination options available. If you are considering vaccination for your herd or flock, please speak to one of our vets so we can discuss the most appropriate option for your animals.

📞 Call Ark Vet Centre on 01576 202552 📞

We can also advise you on the latest movement restrictions, vaccination requirements and biosecurity measures relevant to your farm.

Please continue to monitor your animals closely and take extra care with livestock movements.

For the latest official information and live updates, visit the Defra bluetongue guidance:
GOV.UK – Bluetongue: latest situation

05/08/2026

🐄 Invest in the future of your dairy herd with our Youngstock Training Course! 🐄

Healthy calves grow into productive, resilient dairy cows – and it all starts with getting the foundations right.

Join our 5-week “Foundations of Dairy Calf & Youngstock Health” course, designed to give farmers, herd managers and dairy teams the practical knowledge and confidence to improve calf and heifer rearing.

📅 Tuesdays | 22nd September – 20th October 2026
🕙 10:00am – 1:00pm
📍 Ark Vet Centre, Lockerbie & local farms
💷 £500 + VAT (5 sessions)

Over five interactive sessions, our experienced farm vets will cover:
🐮 Newborn calf management & colostrum
🏠 Housing, hygiene & calf comfort
🥛 Feeding strategies & growth monitoring
🩺 Disease prevention, detection & treatment
🌱 Weaning and preparing heifers for breeding

Whether you’re looking to improve calf health, boost performance, or develop your team’s skills, this course is packed with practical, on-farm advice you can put into action immediately.

👨‍⚕️ Delivered by: John Alexander, Mary Holmes & Colin Mason.

📞 To book your place or find out more:
📱 01576 202552
📧 [email protected]
🌐 arkvetcentre.co.uk
☎️ Places are limited to ensure a high-quality learning experience, so book early to avoid disappointment!

30/07/2026

Here at Ark Vet Centre we are proud to support our farming community!

16/07/2026

🐑 Get Ahead of the Breeding Season – Book Your Ram Vasectomies Now! 🐑

Now is the ideal time to book your teaser ram vasectomies and get prepared for the upcoming sheep breeding season.

A vasectomy is a simple surgical procedure where the tubes that carry s***m are cut and sealed. Your ram will still produce testosterone and show normal mating behaviour, but he cannot fertilise ewes. This makes him the perfect teaser ram to help synchronise your flock before introducing fertile rams.

Why use teaser rams?

✅ Stimulates and synchronises ewes into season (“ram effect”)
✅ Creates a tighter lambing block with more ewes lambing over a shorter period
✅ Easier supervision during lambing
✅ More uniform batches of lambs for management and marketing
✅ Better use of labour and facilities
✅ Earlier identification of barren ewes and improved flock productivity

By planning ahead now, your teaser rams will be fully recovered and ready to work well before tupping begins.

A vasectomised ram is not immediately infertile. S***m already present beyond the surgical site can remain viable for a period after the operation. Allow at least 6 weeks after the vasectomy before using the ram as a teaser.

📞 Contact Ark Vet Centre on 01576 202552 to discuss your flock’s breeding plan and secure your vasectomy appointments before the busy season starts.