Bluetongue disease causes calf prices to collapse
Date: 09.06.2026, 12:00
By: Bea Ricken
The bluetongue disease has broken out in Fulda. This also makes the district of Kassel a restricted zone. The photo shows an infected cow. © Lars Penning/dpa
Since the detection of the bluetongue virus near Fulda, the district of Kassel is considered a restricted zone. Before each sale, costly and time-consuming blood samples must now be taken.
District of Kassel – Since the outbreak of the Iran war, farmers have been suffering from drastically increased production costs and a massive fertilizer crisis. Energy and operating costs have risen sharply, while producer prices stagnate. Now further trouble threatens from the bluetongue virus, which affects cattle, sheep and goats, but also llamas and alpacas. For humans, consumption of meat and dairy products from sick animals is harmless, but further price increases may occur as additional costs arise for farmers due to the virus.
Since last week, the district of Kassel has been part of the restricted zone because type 8 was detected in a cattle farm near Fulda. After the confirmed BTV-8 detection, a trade restriction zone now also applies in the district of Kassel. Calf transports are particularly affected. Ann-Kathrin Reiße from the district farmers' association Kassel states: "Costly and time-consuming blood samples must now be taken before the sale of individual animals. Many calf fatteners are now based in the Netherlands and other countries. Therefore, the interest of fatteners in buying calves from BTV trade restriction zones and thus also from the district of Kassel will decrease. Prices will collapse accordingly," says Reiße.
The blood tests require time
Dairy farmer Tim Straßberger from Dörnberg has experienced the effects of the restricted zone immediately: "The cattle dealer already picked up the bull calves on Sunday because he needs time to process the blood tests." Straßberger expects the dealer to deduct the laboratory and veterinary costs from the sales proceeds. He himself is also obliged to have the blood test done if he wants to market his breeding animals outside Hesse.
For sheep, it can be fatal
Bluetongue disease affects only ruminants; meat and milk can be consumed without concern. The virus is not transmitted from animal to animal, but through the bites of infected midges (genus Culicoides). Sheep usually suffer the most and can die, but cattle, goats and alpacas also become ill. Main symptoms are high fever, swelling and inflammation in the mouth, increased salivation, and painful hoof inflammations that lead to lameness. There is no direct therapy against the virus; timely vaccination provides the best protection.
Since a restricted zone last applied in Hesse in 2024, Straßberger had his herd vaccinated in 2025 and this year. "Given the recent outbreak, that was apparently the right decision." However, this also involves significant costs for 190 animals. Straßberger calculates: The vaccination cost around five euros per animal in 2025. At that time, the animal disease fund still covered three euros per vaccination. Now a new virus type (BTV 8) has emerged, increasing the vaccination cost to 5.50 euros per animal.
District farmer Jörg Kramm describes the situation for farmers as very difficult. Since bluetongue disease is transmitted via insects, one cannot protect animals except through vaccination. And that costs money, and availability is not always guaranteed. Many of his colleagues are frustrated by all the animal diseases such as swine flu, avian influenza, foulbrood, Newcastle disease, or bluetongue, combined with the price situation and excessive bureaucracy. "Some who then experience an outbreak give up their farm altogether."
