CASE STUDIES: Sheep farmers cut antibiotic use through boosting hygiene and immunity

An extensive survey of the sheep sector has indicated that antibiotic use in sheep is mainly to treat watery mouth and joint ill in lambs, and enzootic abortion and lameness in adults, according to the National Sheep Association. Farmers Weekly features two case studies  where sheep farmers Peter Baber and David Raine have significantly cut  antibiotic use through a raft of measures.

These measures include:

• improved the hygiene in lambing pens
• ensuring adequate colostrum intake
• a follow-up navel treatment with iodine for lambs staying inside for a prolonged period
• introducing a break within the lambing period
• culling of ewes with persistent lameness issues
• improved vaccination programme
• changing  breeding to allow more outdoor lambing.

Read the full case studies here.