Sheep farming management notes

Health issues: Farmers and advisers are reporting an increase in cases of orf in young lambs. Reported cases include characteristic symptoms of lesions on the mouth and nose of lambs, but there has also been a rise in cases reported where lesions are located primarily on the inside of an animal’s mouth. The latter is more serious, as in most cases a lamb’s normal suckling behaviour will be greatly limited.

While most sheep will combat and overcome the virus in a few weeks, problems occur where secondary bacterial infections take hold, with the greatest issues being where nutritional intake is also greatly limited. Where severe lesions are present, it is important to prevent secondary infections by administering an antibiotic treatment.

While there is no veterinary recommendation, some farmers also administer an avermectin-type injection, reporting that it helps to clear the infection. There is no evidence to suggest if this has an impact or if it is the lamb, aided by antibiotic treatment in preventing secondary infection, that has overcome the virus.

Lambs should be isolated from the remainder of the flock and receive artificial feeding if required. Where the virus affects the teats and udders of ewes, special attention is also required to ensure it does not have an associated effect of causing mastitis. Again, antibiotic treatment of severe cases will help.

The vaccine Scabivax can be used to help protect the flock and reduce clinical signs and/or lesions of the virus. Immunity develops within two weeks and provides protection for up to six months. It should not be used where there is no history of orf on the farm.

As the vaccine is live, it should be carefully handled and stored in a refrigerator. It contains a blue dye and any alterations in colour to a clear liquid should signal that the vaccine is no longer fit for use.

Grazing management: This week’s sheep and beef feature on pages 52 and 53 covers advice on grazing management. Grass growth has lifted on most farms, but there is still a high percentage of farms with a grass deficit. Grouping ewes and lambs into larger batches, as grass growth increases, and grazing rotationally will help to better manage grass supplies and allow them to build quicker on rested paddocks by preventing early grazing of regrowth.

Eligible areas: 2015 is a critical year to ensure land entered in your Basic Payment Scheme application is deemed eligible for payment. The area of land declared as eligible in 2015 will set the number of entitlements for the period 2015-2019. It is important to carefully assess your maps and ensure all ineligible areas are clearly marked and omitted.

Registering on the Department’s Agfood facility will allow areas to be measured and ensure deductions calculated are accurate. Registration to the facility will prompt approval of a PAC number (sent by post).

This is a unique seven-digit number that will be required for logging in to the facility. If in doubt, you should contact your agricultural adviser.

Regarding the disadvantaged area scheme, or what is now termed Areas of Natural Constraint, a stocking rate of 0.15LU/ha is required over the calendar year, with a seven-month retention period of 0.15LU/ha.