SHEEP farmers on Exmoor are being offered grants toward the cost of having their rams checked to discover if their fertility has been affected by the current epidemic of bluetongue disease.

More than half the country’s known outbreaks have occurred on Somerset and Devon farms with nearly 1,000 confirmed cases and 2,500 more under investigation.

Attention is now turning to the longer-term effects of the outbreak, including the potential impact on fertility, flock productivity, and farm businesses.

A spokesperson for the Exmoor Hill Farming Network said: “Infertility is one of the potential impacts of bluetongue infection in livestock.

“In sheep, this can include rams being unable to produce viable sperm, potentially resulting in poor conception rates and fewer lambs.

“With the autumn tupping season approaching, checking ram fertility is an important part of preparing for the season ahead and identifying any potential problems before rams are put out with ewes.”

The network has now secured funding through Exmoor’s Farming in Protected Landscapes programme to support ram fertility testing across the moors.

The project will provide 50 farming businesses with £100 vouchers toward the cost of ram fertility testing, with the vouchers available until November 30.

To qualify, farmers must be within the Exmoor National Park boundary, arrange fertility testing through their vet, have fertility testing carried out on at least three rams, and be in the first 50 to apply.

Priority will be given to farmers who were attending a ram MoT and pre-tupping event on October 1 at Hill Farm, Hawkridge.

The event was billed as providing an opportunity for farmers to learn more about ram fertility, what to look for when assessing rams, and the benefits of fertility testing.

More information is available by emailing to [email protected] or calling 01643 841455.