Rule Changes for herds that are tested for Johne’s

Our farm vet team want clients, whose herds are tested for Johne’s, as part of their CHECS health scheme, to be aware that there are some rule changes being brought in this Autumn that may affect their herd’s risk level.

From 1st October 2021, if either:

• More than 2% of animals tested, or
• More than 1 animal in herds of less than 50 animals tested

…tests positive for Johne’s disease on the blood test, then the herd will not be allowed to use follow up faecal testing to further confirm the status of these animals.

Why your herd’s risk level may change

Follow up faecal testing has often cleared blood positive animals from being classed as ‘reactors’. As the number of reactors is used to determine the herd’s risk level, then following this change, some herds’ risk levels may change.

Currently animals that test antibody positive for Johne’s (male or female) and their current offspring cannot be sold for breeding. From October 1st, this will extend to any calves the animal has given birth to in the previous 12 months.

These changes will ensure that Risk Level 1 herds are the lowest risk herds to buy from. It will also ensure that buyers can have full confidence in this status.

If you would like to discuss these changes in relation to your herd then please do get in touch on 01327 350239 or drop us an email and one of the farm team will give you a call back.

New scheme promises recognition for TB free herds

A new TB scheme from CHECS called ‘The TB Entry Level membership scheme’ has recently been launched. The new scheme aims to engage participants in biosecurity measures that reduce the risk of a TB breakdown. These measures are recognised by the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA), Defra and the Welsh Government to reduce the risk of TB entering your herd.

Tell us if you’re interested

The new scheme requires farmers to comply with at least one biosecurity option from each of six different biosecurity Risk Factors, after an annual discussion with their vet. Our vets will undertake the approved training as soon as it is released, so all our clients can take part so please do let us know that you are interested.

The biosecurity risk factors that the scheme covers are:

• Risk Factor 1: Minimise TB risk from purchased cattle
• Risk Factor 2: Minimise TB risk from contact with cattle in other herds
• Risk Factor 3: Minimise TB risk from your own animals
• Risk Factor 4: Minimise the spread of TB through muck or slurry
• Risk Factor 5: Reduce TB risk to and from badgers
• Risk Factor 6: Have a TB failure contingency plan

Positive recognition for Bovine TB free herds

Membership of the scheme isn’t compulsory, but it’s very likely that participation will be recognised positively when purchasing as it demonstrates that your farm is engaged in protecting your herd from Bovine TB.

Members of the CHECS TB Accreditation Scheme, who adhere to further strict biosecurity measures, will also have to complete the risk factor review when they renew their status.

We think this is a really positive step that will allow herds to gain recognition for the hard work you have put in to protecting your TB free status. For even more information, please go to the CHECS website and if you’re interested in taking part, don’t forget to call us on 01327 350 239 or drop us an email to register your interest.

Quarantine measures to protect your flock’s productivity

We’re encouraging clients who are looking to buy new stock for the coming breeding season to take a little time to think about protecting the sheep you already have on farm with straightforward sheep biosecurity measures. Quarantining new sheep, as well as any of your own animals that are returning from time away from farm, will minimise the risk of introducing diseases that will negatively impact productivity.

In an ideal world, sourcing stock from accredited or monitored free flocks, listed on www.psghs.co.uk (with known MV, enzootic abortion and Johne’s status) will provide re-assurance that these diseases will not be an added extra with any purchase. However, where accredited stock is not an option, there are a few things you can do to identify issues before the new stock are mixed with existing flocks.

1. A hands-on examination of stock prior to purchase, or at the very least as soon as they arrive on farm, can help identify issues before mixing with your own stock.
2. When purchased sheep arrive on farm, they should spend the first 24 – 48 hrs in quarantine. That basically means in a clean yard with access to plentiful fresh feed and water. This ensures worm eggs already present in the faeces, which will not be targeted by anthelmintic treatment, do not contaminate pasture.
3. A period of quarantine also allows checks to be made for ORF, pink eye, CODD, foot rot, and CLA. If we find anything amiss, then appropriate treatment or further testing can be implemented.
4. Quarantined stock should be treated to remove any resistant gut worms. Using one of the novel wormers, Startect or Zolvix will maximise effectiveness of this treatment.
5. Stock can then be turned out onto previously grazed pasture, diluting any resistant worm eggs that have survived treatment and ensuring these resistant eggs do not become the dominant species on the pasture. New stock should still remain isolated from the main flock at this point.

Protecting flocks against a scab outbreak
Purchased stock are the main source of scab outbreaks in existing flocks. The good news is that we have access to a blood test, which can identify this disease prior to clinical signs emerging. To get the best results from this test we recommend that new stock should have been on your farm for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to testing. At that point 12 of the new arrivals should be tested. If small numbers or individuals have been purchased, then treating for scab may be more economic than testing. If this applies to you, please contact us on 01327 350239 for advice.

Managing fluke risk & vaccinations
Fluke risks will vary hugely depending on where you purchased your stock from and the situation on your farm. There are many different treatments for fluke, but they do need to be used correctly to get maximum effect. Depending upon the individual risk factors both on and outside your farm, isolation may need to last from 3-6 weeks.

Regular flock health checks are the best time to discuss quarantine protocols as this gives time for purchases to be planned and managed to reduce risks.
Finally, don’t forget to make sure all vaccinations are up to date and, if you can, do avoid having animals with different health status mix at breeding and lambing times.

To book a regular flock health check or to get advice and help for new arrivals, please contact us on 01327 350239 or drop us an email and one of the farm team will be in touch directly.

Gareth shares advice on how to give newborn lambs the best start

Keeping newborn lambs alive can be tricky. Statistics show that around 50% of newborn lamb deaths occur within the first 48 hours, and another 11% just 2-14 days later. With stats like these, head vet Gareth Keevill wants you to know how to give your newborn lambs the best chance of survival.

Contact us about lambing

The two main causes of newborn lamb mortality are hypothermia and starvation, followed closely by poor hygiene and disease. Lambs are vulnerable because they’re often born into cold and wet conditions. They have limited energy reserves and a large surface area ratio to body weight, so they need to be dry and feeding quickly.

Lambs also have a very permeable gut lining that allows bacteria and toxins to easily enter the bloodstream. They don’t receive disease immunity through the placenta, instead, lambs rely on colostrum intake shortly after birth for this.

Gareth advises that these 7 things will give your newborn lambs the best chance of a healthy start in life:

1. Always Vaccinate Your Flock – Protect against diseases that could affect both ewes and newborn lambs. Ask us about sheep vaccinations.
2. Practice Good Hygiene – Clean a large pen thoroughly using DEFRA-approved disinfectant. Once dry, use plenty of clean, dry bedding for the new arrivals. Wear disposable, close-fitting protective gloves when lambing ewes that need help.
3. Avoid Hypothermia – Ensure lambs are dried off quickly after birth. Try to intervene as little as possible, but you can towel dry and put the lamb in a warming box with warm air fans set at 35-37°C if needed. Warm it before feeding.
4. Avoid Starvation – Lambs need to be up on their feet and suckling quickly. If the mother isn’t providing enough milk, you can take it from another ewe and tube feed.
5. Prevent Disease – Within 15 minutes of birth, treat the navel cord with iodine solution to prevent naval disease. Also, make sure the lamb is getting enough colostrum (from its mother or taken from another ewe) for passive disease immunity.
6. Bonding & Adoption – Use animal-safe spray paint to identify mothers and lambs and make sure they’re bonded. If the mother has died, or has given birth to triplets or quads, you can try to adopt some lambs to another ewe. Ask our vets about the best adoption techniques for lambs.
7. Spring Feeding – When ready, the new families can be turned out into the field. Ewes can graze on fresh spring grass and be supplemented with sheep feed to aid milk production. Lambs can be given a special food called creep in lamb feeders.

If you have any questions about lambing, get in touch with our friendly team.