Sheep

Roundworms, liver fluke and lungworm are costing UK livestock producers £270 million in lost production and treatment expenditure every year, according to a new study to be published in the journal Preventive Veterinary Medicine. The study examined the economic burden of major parasitic worm infections on livestock across 18 European countries.

Traditionally marking the start of the annual autumn breeding sales season, with the first substantial breeding sale in the country, the 18th Shearwell Thame Summer Sheep Sale did not disappoint despite Covid-19 restrictions, with dearer trade reported in all sections.

UK sheep producers are being encouraged to implement all the proven measures to control sheep lameness, following publication of new research into practical management routines on farm.

A summer of celebration was planned for the National Sheep Association (NSA) in 2020 to celebrate 40 years at its home on the Three Counties Showground, near Malvern, Worcestershire. However, due to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak, the event has been postponed until larger gatherings are permitted.

A Cumbrian company is supporting the British wool industry by sourcing around 22 tonnes of Herdwick wool from Cumbrian farmers this August, to use in its best-selling chimney draught excluder.

A new campaign is calling for the use of British Wool products to be mandatory for the government’s new home insulation scheme, and for insulation and carpeting in any public-financed building projects.

The Pasture-Fed Livestock Association has published its latest set of Certification Standards, listing what cattle and sheep producers must do to apply the ‘Pasture for Life’ marketing symbol on their produce. 

The Eastern Region sales will take place at Rugby on Friday 28th August 2020, and the sale at Melton Mowbray will take place on the revised date of Friday 18th September 2020. Meanwhile, NSA South West Region’s sale is continuing to make pace at Exeter and will be held on Wednesday 19th August.

It is with regret that the National Sheep Association (NSA) is today announcing the unfortunate cancellation of this years NSA Sheep Event 2020.

With the use of webinars increasing amongst all sectors of the agricultural industry significantly during the Covid-19 lockdown, the National Sheep Association (NSA) has added to its diary of virtual events with further online delivery sessions set to help sheep farmers in a variety of areas over the coming months.

With over 20 different species affecting livestock in the UK, flies are one of the biggest ectoparasite problems faced by farmers across the country. From loss of productivity due to reduced grazing time, through to acting as a vector for diseases, the impact of flies can be significant and, if not appropriately controlled, can even result in livestock fatalities.

The National Sheep Association is once again reminding Government to consider the broader potential ramifications of new trade deals, as talks with New Zealand and Australia begin.