Sheep News

When lambing losses were identified as a priority area for beef and sheep farmer Richard McCornick, recording losses effectively helped to highlight issues and boost survival. Richard shared his experiences at a recent farmer meeting.

A quarantine dose for all incoming sheep, regular faecal egg count (FEC) testing and monitoring animal growth weights and the weather, are key to managing worms for Perthshire sheep farmer and agricultural consultant, Emily Grant.

A new project launches to further the productivity, sustainability, and resilience of the UK sheep farming and wool industries by exploring opportunities to improve fleece quality.

As we approach this lambing season, maximising ewe health and lamb survival will be crucial – as rising input costs, along with challenging weather conditions throughout 2023, have put further pressure on margins. Rumenco offers some guidance.

Another five cases have been confirmed in cattle within the Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) in Kent.

Farm vet Faye Heath, of Westpoint Farm Vets in Winchester, provides some top tips to ensure a successful lambing season.

Colostrum is critical to the short and long-term health of lambs. Nettex provides a guide on how to supplement both ewe and powdered colostrum.

Farmers in and around the Temporary Control Zone (TCZ), can now access and call a dedicated bluetongue hotline to get advice or ask questions linked to the current situation.

Starvation, hypothermia, and hypoglycaemia are amongst the highest causes of mortality in newborn lambs. Vet and veterinary pharmacologist Dr TB Barragry offers some advice.

Farmers are being urged to purchase livestock from responsible sources and be vigilant for signs of disease, as BTV-3 is confirmed at a farm in Kent.

Two charities, RSABI and the Scottish SPCA have been chosen to benefit from donations after the successful rescue and rehoming rehoming of ‘Britain’s loneliest sheep’.

A bill to ban live exports for slaughter and fattening has been included in the government’s programme for the new parliamentary session.