Sheep News

Robert Tucker, from Beera Farm near Tavistock, describes fodder beet as a staple in his armoury of home-grown forages. He has grown 4–6ha of the crop each year since 2019, and before that bought in supplies.

Recent data by Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) shows that clostridial diseases consistently rank among the most frequent sheep submission diagnoses, prompting vets to remind farmers of the importance of timely vaccination to avoid such losses.

Johne’s disease is often missed in sheep, but can cause serious production losses. Sarah Kidby spoke to experts about cost-effective control.

Farmers Guide speaks to Elanco’s ruminant technical consultant, Matt Colston, about the key parasites of concern for lambs in the early spring.

The EAE vaccine, Cevac Chlamydia, is now back in stock after supply challenges last year, with vets encouraging farmers to vaccinate their ewe lambs and shearlings for EAE (enzootic abortion of ewes).

The discovery of a strain of avian influenza in a sheep for the first time should be a reminder to sheep keepers of the importance of biosecurity on holdings with poultry, said the National Sheep Association.

The UK’s chief veterinary officer has confirmed a case of influenza of avian origin (H5N1) in a single sheep in Yorkshire following repeat positive milk testing.   

A livestock vet, John Hemingway from Shropshire Farm Vets, is urging farmers to mark and test any ewes that abort this year or to submit abortion material immediately for analysis to identify the cause and prevent further catastrophic losses. 

Derbyshire Rural Crime Team is a part of a pioneering project that analyses canine DNA from livestock and can be used following dog attacks. 

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has expressed concerns following the release of UK trade figures, which revealed a significant increase in sheep meat imported to the UK in 2024. 

Defra’s latest Farm Business Income report predicts which sectors will see a rise or fall in income over 2024/25.

Elanco’s free Blowfly Watch service has re-launched to keep farmers informed of the risk of blowfly strike in their local area.