Home / Environment / Okehampton Show Cancels Cattle, Sheep Sections Due to Bluetongue
Okehampton Show Cancels Cattle, Sheep Sections Due to Bluetongue
13 Aug
Summary
- Okehampton Show cancelled its cattle, sheep, and goat sections this year.
- 190 bluetongue cases confirmed in Devon, 72 in Cornwall.
- The virus spreads via insects and is deadly to sheep, affecting cattle fertility.
The Okehampton Show has made the difficult decision to exclude cattle, sheep, and goats from this year's event, beginning on 2026-08-13. This measure is in response to a surge in bluetongue virus cases across the region.
DEFRA figures show 190 cases of bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV3) in Devon and 72 in Cornwall as of the 2026/27 season. The virus, transmitted by insects, poses a severe threat to livestock, causing high mortality in sheep and fertility problems in cattle. It does not impact humans or food safety.
Organisers stated that cases are increasing exponentially, making it untenable to proceed with the livestock sections. Similar concerns led the Launceston Agricultural Show to take the same action in July, cancelling its cattle and sheep displays.
