Farmers urged to scan ewes as pregnancy losses rise
Sheep farmers are being urged to scan ewes, after initial reports indicate a higher than normal rate of lambing losses and barren ewes in early-lambing flocks.
The revelations, by pregnancy scanners in the Midlands and the north of England, have raised concerns that problems could be associated with the Schmallenberg virus.
But experts say it is important for producers not to panic, as the issue could be related to poor nutrition or other diseases. One of the most common causes of early embryonic losses in ewes is toxoplasmosis.
Matt Colston, a vet from Frame, Swift and Partners in Penrith, says he expects to see an increase in the number of sub-fertile or infertile ewes following extreme wet weather.
“If ewes are thin, they don’t ovulate as many eggs, and they have a higher chance of re-absorbing and producing smaller lambs if the nutrition isn’t there to build placenta attachment.”
Liz Genever from EBLEX says the situation illustrates the importance of scanning ewes 75-85 days after tupping, which will allow producers to “act early” on results.
She advises farmers with abnormal scanning results to contact their vet.”If barren rates are above 4-5%, red warning lights should be flashing.
“It is very important to understand what is causing the problem. You can do blood tests to find out if ewes have been exposed to an abortion agent.”
She says those with a high number of empties still have time to tup again, but she warns the clock is ticking.
“Fertility is driven by day length and it is very unlikely sheep will get back into lamb post-Christmas.
“But there is a window in the next four weeks up to mid-December,” she explains.
Meanwhile, she says problem ewes – those with twins that have re-absorbed one lamb or are carrying small lambs – should be marked and observed closely in the run-up to lambing.
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