The Farming Network has embarked on various initiatives, including an upcoming information night, aimed at tackling the prevalence of sheep scab across the agriculture sector.
Sheep scab is an acute form of atopic dermatitis caused by an allergic reaction to the faeces of mites which preside on the surface of sheep hides, causing intense irritation and eventually leading to the breakdown of the animal’s skin.
The independent, non-profit, farmer-led organisation, which provides help to farmers located in the areas of Cumbria, Yorkshire and Northumberland, has announced it will host a sheep scab information evening on Friday, Novemebr 13 at 7:00p.m in the Buck Inn, Reeth, North Yorkshire.
Local Swale Veterinary Practice will be attendance to give an overview of the disease, the means of treatment, and to discuss how to overcome the resistance to macrocyclic lactone injections, which is one of the two sheep scab treatment options available to farmers.
The information evening follows the undertaking of the organisation’s two-year long research project, entitled ‘For Flocks Sake!’, which explored how farmers could work together to address the spread of sheep scab infection.
This was undertaken in collaboration with the Moredon Institute, an Animal Health and Welfare research and education charity, which helped arrange 100 farmers into cluster groups, while providing them with free sheep blood testing, veterinary visits and practical guidance on treatment and prevention measures.
The cluster groups were dotted across the north of England, coming together on a frequent basis to share their results and insights from the project, to help fellow members mitigate the risk.
As a result, fewer cases of sheep scab were apparent among the participating flocks following the launch of ‘For Flocks Sake!’.
Sheep scab
Sheep Scab was removed from the Notifiable Diseases list in 1992, but farmers have continued to suffer outbreaks, with some estimates indicating that the disease affects 10 – 15% of sheep flocks across the UK, costing the industry between £78 and £200 million annually.
Traditionally, farmers have attempted to control the spread of the disease by washing sheep in rivers and streams, and between the years 1928 to 1992, farmers were required by law to immerse their herds in a chemical dip to control the parasitic scourge.
Nowadays, treatment is offered via injectable endectocides, but there is growing concern surrounding sheep’s increasing resistance to the treatment’s benefits following regular usage.
Research and new best practices for shepherds are continually evolving.
Farmer Network coordinator, Carol Moffat, said: “Animal Health is a stated policy priority and as an industry we constantly need to review and combat sheep diseases, for the welfare of the sheep and our businesses.
“We hope this meeting will be really useful to our shepherds as we work together towards a successful future.”
Farmer Network Managing director, Adam Day added:
“It is also vital we maintain the confidence of the shepherds from across the country who visit the northern counties each year to buy replacement sheep from the hills, bringing millions of pounds into farming communities and the local economy.”
