Warning issued as pregnancy losses rise

Initial reports have indicated a higher than normal rate of lambing losses and barren ewes in early-lambing flocks, and, consequently, farmers are being urged to scan ewes to allow producers to "act early" on results.

Concerns have been raised by pregnancy scanners in the Midlands and the north of England over the risk of Schmallenberg virus being associated with the increase in loss of lambs. However, 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 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 has advised 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.”