Flock Health Update

We are well into tupping now with many flocks or for some early lambing flocks, scanning will be on the horizon. The grass quality is variable across the UK with quality and quality not very consistent. It is very important to keep an eye on ewe body condition and make sure you get your hands on as many ewes as possible when you next gather. Forage analysis is also crucial this year to assess the quality and quantity of feed that you have to work with in your late and early pregnancy diets.

Maintaining condition from tupping to lambing is essential for optimum production and will ensure that the ewes lamb down at target body condition score. This will ensure good lamb birthweights, colostrum quality and quantity, all of which are essential for a successful lambing.

Ewes in good body condition will have a good functioning immune system, be less affected by worm burdens and have a lower FEC output. Fit ewes at lambing will better withstand mobilising their body reserves at peak milk production and their future fertility will benefit from less severe changes to BCS.

It is very important that you factor into your health plan discussions with your vet around ewes that remain thin, despite good nutrition. Useful investigations can help determine any underlying problems such as haemonchus, iceberg diseases and issues like dental disease and cheek teeth abnormalities.

Cases of bluetongue disease virus are slowing down as the vector period reduces. However, there are still lots of infected midges that are alive and can still infect any animal that they bite. Now is the time to talk with your vet and plan vaccination plans for the next season. Planning vaccine orders, cash flow and considering your flock risk will help better manage BTV control for your animals.