NSA Members Update Friday 4^th June 2010 

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Nematodirosis in Sheep - to read report click here

NSA will speak Quickly to New Government once it is Place: Following on from last night’s election results NSA will be keeping a close eye on whatever arrangements and deals emerge from the various political discussions. Once the mist clears and it is apparent who is doing what and which political appointments are to be made that are of relevance to the sheep industry and NSA the appropriate approaches will be made.

Following on from the statements made by NSA in advance of the election the aim, when NSA is able to communicate with new Ministers, will be to press home the two issues which were highlighted. Firstly measures to instil confidence in the sheep industry that will demonstrate Government’s understanding of the positive benefits that sheep farming brings to the economy, the environment and society. Secondly a review of the way in which the industry is regulated and the desire of NSA to see a shift towards outcome based decision making as opposed to the process driven ethos that currently exists.

EID and Shows: Concessions have been granted by Defra, WAG and Seerad in respect of the requirement to individually record the identities of sheep as they move to and from shows in 2010. Regulations that are part of the Disease Control Orders require animals to be individually identified and recorded but this is being relaxed at least for 2010. Full details will be available on the Defra and Animal Health websites very shortly. Members in Scotland are advised to look at Scottish Government’s websites shortly.

Fluke Risk Remains High: The risk of liver fluke in sheep remains high with increased snail breeding activity and fluke egg development taking place in wet areas as temperatures hit 10 degrees centigrade. The reports from abattoirs are that very large numbers of livers are being condemned because of the disease and there are many reports of ill thrift in stock which is being attributed to the continuing high levels of fluke. Please take the time to investigate fluke risks in sheep if you are not already doing so as acting early with flukicides is an effective way forward in most situations.

Know your Worms: At the risk of sounding like a broken record, members are reminded once again of the financial consequences of endoparasites problems such as Nematodirus and parasitic gastroenteritis. With the value of lambs remaining high it is vital that performance at grass is maximised in terms of growth and weight gain. Internal parasites – worms – affect this hugely. If problems are to be dealt with as effectively as possible it is vital to know what the worm burden on pasture is and then the appropriate combination of anthelmintics intervention and grazing management techniques introduced. Underpinning all of that is the knowledge of what worms are present in faeces samples so the message is speak to your vet or commercial providers of equipment and get testing. It does make sense!

NSA Executive Board gets to Grips with Sheep Role in Emissions: The NSA Executive Board met in London this week and discussed a whole host of policy related issues. Central to the meeting was a presentation by EBLEX showing the role that sheep play in emissions of greenhouse gases and how that fits into the climate change debate. Members wishing to learn more on what is a fascinating and often misreported matter are advised to seek out the EBLEX website.