With anecdotal evidence of an increase in joint-ill, a disease affecting the joints of young lambs, investigators from Scotland's Rural College are offering free post mortem tests to sheep farmers and their vets who suspect their lambs are infected.
SAC Consulting Veterinary Services has decided to collect up-to-date information from across the country about which pathogens are responsible for outbreaks and the most appropriate antibiotic to treat them with.
As an easily recognised disease farmers or their vets do not normally submit cases to any of the eight Veterinary Disease Surveillance Centres run by SAC Consulting . However, the offer of free tests should help the vets gather enough evidence for a proper scientific survey and analysis during the 2017 lambing season.
Many different bacteria may be associated with the disease, with Streptococcus dysgalactiae the most common. Normal practice is to use preventative antibiotics, but increasing concerns about anti-microbial resistance to them means that approach is no longer acceptable and treatments need to be more targeted. Hopefully the research will help in the development of Health Plans with new prevention and control strategies.
Market round-up
United Auctions sold 295 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 280.3p per kg and an average of 219.1p (+7.3p on the week), while 626 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 283.5p and levelled at 223.4p (+7.4p). One-hundred-and-thirty-four store, B&W bullocks sold to 165.8p and averaged 134.8p (+2.8p).
In the rough ring 172 beef cows sold to £1430 per head and 196.4p per kg to average 130.2p (+12.8p), while 20 dairy cows peaked at £895 and 108.9p to level at 95.3p (-15.3p).
C&D Auction Marts Ltd had 10 prime cattle forward in Dumfries on Wednesday when heifers sold to 216.5p and averaged 199.1p, while bullocks peaked at 220p and levelled at 189.5p.
There were 46 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows sold to £1003.20 and 147p to average 117.4p, while dairy cows peaked at £939.60 and 136p to level at 113.1p.
The firm also sold 199 prime hoggs to a top of £80 per head and 190p per kg to average 162.3p (+1.5p).
A nice show of 345 cast sheep saw heavy ewes sell to £104.50 for Suffolks and average £62.40 (+£1.03), while light ewes peaked at £68.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £43.16 (+£7.30).
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1368 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £84 and 210p to average £70.60 and 160.6p (no change).
A small show of 141 cast sheep saw ewes sell to £95 for Suffolks and £67 for Mules.
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