EBLEX has published a series of publications as part of an autumn focus on sheep health. ‘The Sheep Diseases Directory’, ‘Controlling external parasites for Better Returns’, and ‘Know your Anthelmintic Groups’, have all been produced as part of the Sheep Better Returns Programme. They are available free of charge to all English sheep producers.
Sheep diseases
The first covers a wide range of conditions commonly seen on UK sheep farms -
including abortion, coccidiosis, liver fluke and internal parasites. The
36-page booklet is packed with useful colour photos, diagrams and drawings,
which identify each of the ailments. It discusses the implications of having
the disease on the farm, before outlining practical steps to prevention and
control.
Ectoparasites
The UK sheep industry loses an estimated £8.3 million to scab and
£2.2 million to blowfly. The new EBLEX manual on ectoparasites will help
farmers identify a range of different pests including lice, keds and ticks. It
also has information on when, and how infestations spread, and how to implement
effective control strategies. A useful chart shows the efficacy of the
currently available chemical treatments, against all the major external sheep
parasites.
Anthelmintics
The third publication, 'Know your Anthelmintic Groups', provides an easy
reference guide to all the products that can be used for internal worm control.
Choosing the right product is crucial - not only in the fight against
anthelmintic resistance, but also to ensure optimum sheep performance and least
cost. The leaflet also describes best drenching practice.
“The impact of having disease in a sheep flock can range from an annoying set back in production, to a devastating infection which leads to widespread losses,” says EBLEX project co-ordinator Katie Brian, who compiled the Sheep Diseases Directory from information supplied by the Moredun Foundation. “As well as providing practical up to date information, these three publications encourage farmers to develop prevention strategies for their flocks, and to devise a plan to deal swiftly with any disease outbreaks if, and when, they occur.
‘The Sheep Diseases Directory’, the ‘Controlling external parasites for Better Returns’ manual, and the ‘Know your Anthelmintic Groups’ leaflet, are available from EBLEX, tel: 0870 241 8829 or email: brp@eblex.org.uk.
Sunday, 12th October, 2008
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VLA Regional Laboratories have continued to see cases of acute liver fluke infection (acute fasciolosis) in grazing sheep in January and February. It is unusual to see large numbers of cases of acute fasciolosis at this time of the year. It is likely to be a consequence of two very wet summers that has caused an increase in prevalence of liver fluke which has already been reported by the VLA in the autumn and early winter.
Many farmers have already treated their sheep for fluke infection in the autumn and early winter, but these findings suggest a continued risk of infection even in sheep that have been turned out after lambing. Acute fasciolosis could cause increased mortality particularly in ewes that are lactating and therefore under greater stress. Where they suspect disease farmers should seek a diagnosis, by post mortem examination, from their vet or at their local VLA Regional Laboratory, and treat with an appropriate flukicide in consultation with their vet. They should also amend their flock health plans accordingly.