Veterinary Services

Abortion due to Neospora declines in Scottish cattle

· Chronic fasciolosis continues in cattle and sheep

· Copper poisoning in sheep

· Salmonella indiana in sheep

· Streptococcus dysgalactiae causing polyarthritis in lambs

The Scottish Executive announced that bovine tuberculosis had been confirmed in a herd of cattle in Dumfries and Galloway. Following detection of lesions in a slaughterhouse case, tests on the herd of 95 cattle showed 43 reactors. Disease has now been confirmed by post mortem examination.

All animals in the herd will be compulsorily slaughtered with compensation paid. The origin of the outbreak in a beef herd has not been established. Tracings on and off the farm are being investigated. Movement restrictions have been placed on the affected farm and adjacent premises will be tested if required.

Scottish abattoir values for steers, heifers and young bulls in April were well ahead of equivalent figures for 2004 while sheep prices at Scottish auctions for ewes and new season lamb were well below 2004 values.

A mixture of wet and cyclonic, dry and sunny, and bright and showery spells of weather occurred during April. The mean temperature for the month was 6.7°C, which is 1.2°C above the 1961-1990 average, in the above average category and total rainfall was 113.1 mm, 140% of the 1961-1990 average, also in the above average category.