Subsidised blood test now available for sheep farmers 

The FlockCheck diagnostic scheme allows sheep farmers in England, Scotland and Wales to ask their vet to blood test their flock for diseases that cause early lamb losses.

The opportunity to test GB flocks for exposure to toxoplasmosis opens on 1^st February 2025, and the EAE diagnostic phase starts on 1^st April 2025.

This popular subsidised service, which helps farmers identify possible reasons for early lamb losses, closes at the end of June 2025.

Sheep farmers cite ewe reproductive failure, neonatal lamb disease and mortality as the three biggest factors limiting better flock productivity.

Toxoplasmosis and enzootic abortion continue to be significant causes of these unwanted flock heath issues. 

If more than 2% of the flock is barren or aborting this lambing, farmers are advised to contact their vet to take advantage of FlockCheck. 

“From our own 2024 flock health survey of 966 sheep units, we know that more than 30% of GB sheep flocks don’t know their barren ewe rate or are reporting a figure greater than 5% after lambing. This is particularly concerning,” said MSD Animal Health veterinary adviser Dr Kat Baxter-Smith.

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Common diagnoses of sheep abortion

Under FlockCheck, GB sheep farmers can ask their vet to take blood samples from six to eight aborted, unvaccinated ewes, or from barren ewes or ones that have produced weakly lambs. 

The results help vets and their farmer clients to make more informed decisions about appropriate flock health measures.

Annual FlockCheck blood test results consistently demonstrate that a significant proportion of aborted ewes tested have been exposed to either toxoplasmosis or EAE – and sometimes both. 

For example, 2024 results showed 80% of 382 sheep flocks had been exposed to toxoplasmosis and 26% to EAE. 74 flocks (19.4%) had been exposed to both pathogens. 

This is consistent with a recent APHA analysis showing that between 2002 and 2019, toxoplasmosis and EAE were the two most common diagnoses of sheep abortion.

According to Dr Baxter-Smith, both these causes of abortion can be responsible for reducing the number of lambs per ewes mated, which can increase workload and stress during lambing.

“For example, toxoplasmosis, caused by infection with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, does not just cause abortion. 

“It is also the main infectious cause of early embryo loss in sheep and a very common cause of barren ewes or weak, sickly live lambs. 

“It is likely that almost all flocks in Great Britain have been in contact with this endemic parasite, which means all breeding sheep should be considered at risk.”

Easy infection

Dr Baxter-Smith also explained that one of the main reasons for such high levels of toxoplasmosis is that sheep can become infected very easily.

“Sheep pick up the toxoplasma parasite from the environment and so normal biosecurity measures are not enough to control the disease. 

“Infected cats shed toxoplasma eggs in their faeces and sheep become infected when they ingest these eggs from contaminated pasture, feed and water.

“The eggs are tough and can survive in the environment for over a year, which means farmers need to take steps to protect their sheep.” 

Vaccination

The disease can be controlled effectively by a simple vaccination regime. 

Additionally, Ms Baxter-Smith said the costs of a vaccination programme can be easily covered by a reduction in future flock barren and abortion rates.

In reality, every ewe should ideally be vaccinated before she breeds because of the widespread disease threat and the significant financial losses,” she said.

Sheep farmers interested in taking advantage of this industry support from MSD Animal Health to help reduce the risk of lower productivity and profitability, should contact their local practice as soon as possible.  

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