Lameness is estimated to cost £89.80 per affected ewe, now's the time to stamp out the disease. 

Lameness costs you money by causing health and welfare problems.

Firstly, in ewes, lameness leads to reduced grazing and suboptimal nutrition, which can cause twin lamb disease, reduced fertility and poor milk production. In lambs, lameness delays finishing and even if they do finish, lame lambs are unfit to travel, which presents a significant challenge when trying to comply with UK animal welfare legislation. ADAS has calculated the cost of lameness per affected ewe to be £89.80. This means that if the incidence in any given flock is 10%, the cost of lameness is £8.98 for every ewe in the flock. Another recent study has shown that flocks could save £3.86 per ewe per year by stopping routine foot trimming and minimising foot bathing to control footrot – two management practices that have been associated with a higher prevalence of lameness. It may not be possible to eradicate lameness entirely, but significant steps can be made to reduce levels to the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) targets of <2% and minimise the financial costs producers currently incur. Lameness will not be cured by one ‘magic bullet’. However, farmers should develop a strategy to reduce lameness in their flock.

Footrot is the main cause of lameness on UK sheep farms.

Vaccination with FOOTVAX® is an aid to preventing lameness in a flock by stimulating immunity to (and reducing lesions caused by) Dichelobacter nodosus, the bacteria causing footrot. Computer modelling has shown a cost-benefit for whole flock vaccination if lameness incidence due to footrot is more than 2% of sheep affected. To minimise footrot incidence, vaccinate sheep on a whole flock basis, to coincide with high-risk periods such as winter housing. A flock health planner, such as one from StowAg, makes it easy to maintain a regular vaccination routine by offering a free consultation service, personalising your plan and recommend health solutions to meet your flock’s requirements throughout the year. Whilst backing British farming for 50 years StowAg’s knowledgeable and friendly team make it easily the natural choice for Farms, Estates and Contractors. Why not speak to one of StowAg’s SQP’s on 01451 830 400 to discuss your flock's health planner or any other requirements.   The content for this blog has kindly been supplied by animal health specialists MSD. MSD Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, and pet owners the widest range of pharmaceuticals and vaccines, available in more than 50 countries. Offering one of the industry’s most innovative portfolios, not only of products but also of services and technologies, to prevent, treat and control diseases across all major farm and companion animal species.