2 February 2011
'Talking Sheep' 2011 is being repeated again this year and will be sponsored once again by Intervet/Schering-Plough.
Regional meetings are now under way with the first in this year's series of meetings being held at Scotch Corner on January 17. Recent graduate Davinia Hinde gave a short presentation on an outbreak of cerebrocortical necrosis in a group of lambs also suffering from moderate parasitic gastroenteritis, and suggested a link between the two conditions brought on by gut inflammation and decreased thiamine absorbtion.
VLA – Thirsk was represented by two speakers; Rudolph Reichel reported on findings relating to monitoring comparisons between submissions from organic and non-organic farms, while Ben Strugnell revealed what seems to a be a breed specific problem of nephritis in Zwartbles ewe hoggs.
Fiona Lovatt gave the group a rundown of a computer modelling program relating to the cost of footrot on farms. Initially sceptical, those involved felt that with appropriate veterinary input this program is potentially useful on farms, indicating the current cost of disease (including an estimate of production losses) on any particular farm and allowing the indices to be altered to reflect various treatment and prevention options.
Other meetings are planned, please see below dates. Anyone with an interest in sheep health and welfare is welcome to attend.
| 17th January | A 66 Motel, nr Scotch Corner |
| 2nd February | Cross Keys, Kelso with S.A.C. St Boswells |
| 15th February | South Molton, Devon |
| 7th March | Nottingham University, Nottingham |
| 8th March | Kinmel Manor, Baerbel – North Wales |
| 9th March | Kirkley Hall, Northumbrian Agricultural College, Newcastle |
| 9th March | Carmarthen, South Wales |
| 9th March | Royal Dick Veterinary School, Edinburgh |
| 16th March | Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Penrith |
| 23rd March | Bamber Bridge, Preston |
| 6th April | AFBI Hillsborough, Northern Ireland |
If you would like more details please visit www.sheepvetsoc.org.uk.
