sheep that the majority of aborted ewes tested have been exposed to either toxoplasmosis or EAE – and sometimes both. This is consistent with a recent AHPA analysis showing that over recent years (2002 to 2019), EAE and toxoplasmosis have been the most common diagnoses of sheep abortion2. According to Dr Kat BaxterSmith, both these infectious disease causes of abortion can be responsible for reducing the number of lambs per ewes mated, which can increase workload and stress during lambing. Profit may also be reduced significantly2, she stresses, but using FlockCheck can help in improving a flock’s potential and overall economic performance. Farmers interested in taking advantage of the subsidised FlockCheck diagnostic service and reducing the risk of lower
2022 – a busy time for all
By Grace Reid, NSA Scottish Region Coordinator
productivity should contact their local practice as soon as possible. This year’s FlockCheck scheme commenced on 1st February 2022 and runs until 30th June 2022.
Highly regarded sheep farmer recognised with prestigious award The National Sheep Association (NSA) is delighted to announce Helen Roberts as the 2021 recipient of the NSA George Hedley Memorial Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the sheep industry. In addition to her wide-ranging personal interests in many aspects of the sheep industry Helen is NSA Cymru/Wales Regional Development Officer and Corporate Sales Manager. Helen has long been involved with the industry, working with her father on their ‘Horton’ flock of Suffolk sheep and with her husband Clive on the England/Wales border where they keep 500 Welsh Mules, Texel and Beltex cross ewes in addition to small pedigree flocks of Beltex and Blue Faced Leicesters. Helen has also taken on wide-ranging commitments and activities on several committees, as www.farmingscotlandmagazine.com
We have started 2022 with an animal health and welfare theme and are pleased to announce that NSA Scotland have accepted to Chair the newly established Scottish Government OPA working group in addition to the Scottish Government sheep scab working group. Whilst it seems that OPA is very widely spread, there is no current cure or treatment for sheep farmers once it has been found in their flock. What we do know is that it is a virus which affects the cells in the lungs whereby tumours form and replace normal lung tissue. It can be transmitted predominantly via aerosol routes, via infected colostrum and milk and it has an incubation period from months to years. Unfortunately housing, trough feeding and high stocking densities all help the spread of OPA and diagnosis can be particularly difficult even with regular ultrasound scanning. All ages and breeds are susceptible which means that this is only going to become a much bigger problem if steps are not taken as a priority. But what can be done? The Moredun Research Institute have had dedicated experts working on this disease for quite some time and the hope is to put this research to use with funding to ensure the historical foundations of our flocks can continue into the future.
Members will also be aware of shortages of products used throughout lambing such as Spectam Scour Halt. This oral antibiotic for lambs is the only licenced product for the prevention of watery mouth in neonatal lambs. Whilst, the importance of good ewe nutrition, correct body condition score, hygiene at lambing and in the lambing environment, and colostrum supply to newborn lambs to prevent watery mouth are all key there will inevitably be many who will need to consult their vet to ensure cases are treated appropriately. NSA Scotland wish success to all those lambing in 2022 with the hope that the weather will not be detrimental as that seen in previous years. We look forward to seeing you all at NSA Scotsheep 2022 by kind permission of Robert and Hazel McNee, Over Finlarg Farm on Wednesday 01 June 2022. NSA and Te Pari Prize Draw Enter NSA’s 2022 prize giveaway to WIN a Te Pari Racewell HD3 mobile sheep handling system including EID and scale system worth £20,000! Both NSA members and non-members can enter via the NSA website https:// www.nationalsheep.org.uk/ draw/nsa-and-te-pari/
