Farmers encouraged to screen ewes for enzootic abortion
10th April 2025
Sheep farmers in England, Scotland and Wales can now ask their vet to test their flocks for exposure to EAE. This popular subsidised diagnostic service helps farmers identify possible reasons for early lamb losses.
The toxoplasmosis testing phase opened back in February and will last until the end of June 2025.
According to sheep farmers, ewe reproductive failure, neonatal lamb disease and mortality are the three biggest factors limiting better flock productivity – with toxoplasmosis and enzootic abortion continuing to be significant causes of these unwanted flock health issues.
Consequently, GB sheep farmers who find that more than 2% of their flock is barren or aborting this lambing season are being encouraged to contact their vet to take advantage of the FlockCheck diagnostic scheme.
MSD Animal Health veterinary adviser Dr Kat Baxter-Smith explained: “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.”
FlockCheck
GB sheep farmers can take advantage of the FlockCheck diagnostic scheme by asking 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 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 EAE3. 74 flocks (19.4%) had been exposed to both pathogens, MSD Animal Health confirmed.
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.
Sheep farmers interested in taking advantage of this subsidised 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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