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Public opinion could lead to further clampdown on lameness, says SAC geneticist

Future Government legislation could clamp down further on the problem of lameness in sheep, so farmers should act now to tackle the issue, particularly on footrot.

That was the message from SAC at its recent lameness workshops in Argyll and Aberdeenshire.

SAC Geneticist Dr Joanne Conington, who led the workshops with SAC vet Jo Gidlow and Senior Technician Laura Nicoll, said: “Those in farming very often become accustomed to  lameness as a normal part of sheep farming but it is not accepted by the public, which is going to lead to further legislation to tackle the issue.

“Between 17 and 48% of sheep will have some degree of footrot lesions that lead to lameness if left untreated. Measures to  lower these figures are already in place in Scotland to encourage farmers to monitor their lameness and take steps to reduce it through the Pillar II funded Land Management Animal Health Option The purpose of the lameness workshops was to pass on knowledge within SAC to enable farmer to tackle lameness effectively and efficiently.”

The primary focus of workshops was the discussion of breeding and management options to control footrot but advice was also available on other causes of lameness. In addition to ‘hands on’ hoof examinations, Dr Conington and colleagues discussed a variety of topics with participants, including the problems caused by over paring feet, treatment of various foot conditions and vaccination for footrot.

The workshops were made possible by the kind cooperation of the hosts Gordon Hunter of Killean Estates, Tarbert, and Sandy and Stephen Smith, Mill of Culfork, Glenkindie to whom SAC is extremely grateful.

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