Sheep farmers attending an on farm event in Glen Lethnot yesterday will have already realised that this past summer had not been a good one for the health of their animals but they might have been surprised at just how much poor health could be costing their businesses
SAC sheep specialist, John Vipond said the cost of foot rot in a flock where 10 per cent of the sheep were infected could range between £15 and £20 per ewe and because of the bad weather there was more foot rot about this year.
The traditional method of foot rot control had been regular foot paring but he said before doing so, it was best to try and identify those sheep that were lame and why they were before taking any course of action.
Those that were carrying foot rot infections should be treated with antibiotics and only after that had been done should foot paring be considered.
Where there was a persistent ongoing problem with foot rot, he advised it might be best considering a vaccination programme.