29th March 2016
The first case of Nematodirosis causing deaths and scouring in lambs was been confirmed in the Hereford area two weeks ago. The lambs were about 4 weeks of age and grazing high risk pasture with south facing slopes. Since then, colder weather has helped keep a lid on nematodirus hatching, which means we need to be all the more vigilant when it warms up! Many weather stations are now yellow - watch out for when the one you are using turns orange and think about south facing areas where even limited sunshine can create a warm microclimate.
SCOPS urges sheep farmers to watch the forecast for their nearest weather station regularly and assess the risk to groups of lambs. 'This season we expect to see huge variation in timing across the country due to the unusual weather patterns' says Lesley Stubbings 'This is not the year to rely on routine timing for treatments' she adds.
