Veterinary Services

Dramatic increase in sheep deaths due to pasteurellosis

• Bronchopneumonia in adult dairy cattle
• Downer cows
• Salmonella dublin abortion in cattle
• Systemic and pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep
• Meningitis due to Streptococcus suis in pigs
• Blackhead in turkeys
• Avian pox infection in wild birds

The Scottish Executive announced a ban on bird shows, markets, fairs and other similar gatherings in Scotland. The ban is required by the European Union as part of a suite of measures designed to safeguard against the spread of avian influenza.

Scottish abattoir deadweight prices for steers, heifers and young bulls in September were marginally down on equivalent figures for 2004 while liveweight prices at Scottish auctions for the same classes of stock were ahead of equivalent 2004 values. Both lamb and ewe prices at Scottish auctions were well down compared with 2004 values.

Warm southerly winds dominated the October weather in Scotland and were accompanied by fine weather for much of the time. However, the dry spells were separated by periods of rain which, in relation to average, were most significant in the south and east. Mean temperature was 9.8°C, which is 1.8°C above the 1961-1990 average, in the well above average category. Rainfall was close to average.