Sheep

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.

A daring rescue by five farmers has seen ‘Britain’s loneliest sheep’ moved to Dalscone Farm in Dumfries, having been stranded alone for two years on a remote shore in the Scottish Highlands.

Mild weather at the start of autumn prolonged the parasite breeding season, warned Ben Strugnell of Farm Post Mortem.

The new Roots to Resilience programme, launched by AHDB Beef & Lamb, challenges farmers to ‘stop thinking in black and white and unlock their full potential’.

Farmers urged to beware when buying animals in, especially from Europe, as there is increasing concern about the spread of BTV-3 and its proximity to the UK.

The National Sheep Association has emphasized the need for all four UK nations to adopt a consistent approach to sheep health following recommendations made in the Scottish Government’s recent Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) report.

Sheep farmers are being urged to stay vigilant for worm and fluke risks in their flocks this autumn following reports of high worm egg counts nationwide.

The National Sheep Association has welcomed news that stock levels of EAE vaccines are returning to normal.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is inviting farmers to join a free webinar next month discussing the reason behind ongoing vaccine shortages in the industry, the implications for animal health and what to do if supplies become unavailable.

At a busy time of year for sheep to move between holdings, the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is encouraging producers to think about sheep health as an extremely precious asset worthy of multi-pronged protection.

Following the arrival of new vaccine stocks, sheep farmers tupping late in October are being encouraged to vaccinate their flocks against EAE (enzootic abortion of ewes) to protect the health and welfare of their ewes and prevent abortions during lambing.