Webinars help to spread message on sheep health

Farmers still have chance to register for NSA online event this month – while FAS will host session on livestock nutrition

Scottish farmers may be missing out on face-to-face sessions with the experts on animal health and diseases this spring, but producers in other countries have already started sitting in on informative webinars.

Before Covid-19 restrictions were imposed, the National Sheep Association (NSA) was about to roll out a programme of events alongside the Moredun Research Institute and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), to advise farmers on the “iceberg” infectious diseases – so-called because despite their increasing significance, many farmers remain unaware of the real impact they can have on flocks.

The diseases include Border disease, Caseous Lymphadentis, Johne’s disease and Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma.

The first two sessions are fully subscribed – and the first included producers taking part from the United States and Canada – but registration is still open for the last event on May 20.

To register and confirm attendance, visit the NSA website.

At the first webinar, Alison Braddock from SAC Focus presented about SRUC’s Premium Sheep and Goat Health Schemes (PSGHS) and explored how the principles of biosecurity, health planning and disease testing can be applied to commercial flocks.

“I explained that PSGHS is not just a certification scheme but a whole flock disease management approach to reduce disease risk,” she said.

Dr Beth Wells, knowledge exchange specialist at the Moredun, said the institute had active research teams working in both OPA and Johne’s.

She said: “This is a great opportunity for the scientists involved to discuss their recent findings and how to best control these diseases in your flocks, or even better, how to keep them out!”

Meanwhile, the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) is running a sheep and cattle nutrition webinar session on May 19.

SAC senior beef and sheep consultant Kirsten Williams and livestock nutritionist Mary Young will explain the basics of nutrition, including how the rumen works, what effects different feeds have, crude protein and energy – how much and why – and evaluating different feeds and value for money.

Mary Young said: “Women farmers and crofters in the Inverness and Ross-shire areas requested this course after a recent lambing course.