This IS true - it`s possible to spot more foot problems in lambs by certain tups. Hopefully the pedigree guys watch for this.....HOPEFULLY!
Sheep's feet
- Thread starter buckracker2009
- Start date
- Location
- East Sussex
This IS true - it`s possible to spot more foot problems in lambs by certain tups. Hopefully the pedigree guys watch for this.....HOPEFULLY!
I doubt that very much.
Always try to avoid pedigree tups if possible as nearly all are genetics by mouth!
The better breeders do now use EBV's and hopefully that will be a better indication of all genetic improvement!
That’s why I said each to their own.
To be clear though, we’ve changed our management and have slashed lameness by concentrating on the population of good v bad bacteria. It starts when the ewes come in to the shed pre-lambing. The footbath now is a “re-set” only used if it becomes clear we’ve got the balance wrong.
But, by all means, you chose to make different compromises if you wish. Don’t pretend there aren’t any though.
Exactly, we have mules and run sheep through the footbath every time they come in. Cost bigger all in the scheme of thing and have lambs that buyers don’t wonder off when they come to sell.
Aspiring Peasants
Member
- Location
- North Pennines
Probably considered an old fashioned view, and cited as a reason UK ag has to change, but I agree. Obviously functionality is key but there is a lot of building up problems to be far bigger than they need to be in order to try and sell you the “solution“ i.e. different sheep. Not getting at any body who has posted on this thread, but some of these converts can be like vegans sometimes, in their attitude
The reason I replied to this was because I was having this discussion with somebody yesterday, and she said almost word for word what you’ve said. Old fogey? No, 20 year old very skilled sheep person
- Location
- West Country
Steady on boy! It’s a bit early in the day for that sort of language.
Be interested to know more about your system re the good v bad bacteria if you are able to help in a few words, please.
Profit has to be involved obviously and the sheep kept must do the job on the farm concerned but it is a fact that traditional breeds/systems can work if the management is right - it all hinges on keeping costs down and producing a good product that someone is happy to pay a good price for.....
We all risk getting blinkered and ploughing on in the same way because it`s all we know. I always admire folk that are brave enough to try something different - the most important thing is to try cautiously and not go too far down a blind alley in the beginning.
All im saying is that good feet less susceptible to damage can be bred for (and doesnt matter what their name is)
(having to) treating ie footbathing, trimming footvaxing etc masks the problem /most problematic ones.
Anyway, The topic here is Sheep's Feet so stay on it please.
Because its right up there with the most important problems, costs the industry a packet and doesn't look good to the GP either.
Because its right up there with the most important problems, costs the industry a packet and doesn't look good to the GP either.
I`ve seen many threads go much further off the point than this one has....
Our foot problems have been diminishing year on year over the past three or four years with no particular change in breeding policy and differing weather conditions every year.
The one thing that has changed consistently with the decrease has been management of the sheep themselves with regard to lameness.
Not saying that there isn't a genetic factor but my thoughts at present are that it's very much secondary to management.
The one thing that has changed consistently with the decrease has been management of the sheep themselves with regard to lameness.
Not saying that there isn't a genetic factor but my thoughts at present are that it's very much secondary to management.
farmerm
Member
- Location
- Shropshire
What does footvax actually cover? I don't tend to treat much footrot, probably 80% of feet issues here are scald followed by codd and only a small fraction footrot.
- Location
- North Antrim
Forgot to reply to you, I should have tagged you in the post rather than the third person. I wasn't talking about shedders at all in my initial post rather the mindset and how that might change under different circumstances. I'm too lazy to type long posts that might be clearer.
Yes it can be bred for, but that’s another form of prevention. It’s not the only form of prevention. We had got into a rut where we were using cures as prevention without really understanding what was going on. Effectively we were disinfecting the sheep’s feet then putting them back in exactly the same environment where the problematic bacteria then had free rein. In that regard putting non lame sheep through a footbath is nuts. If we can prevent it, but have the footbath as a tool to help get us back on track if needed, we think that works. Also, problematic ones then tend to stand out, and if they need to be culled it’s Blydi obvious.
Wide cattle size plastic one here - we put a bit of straw in the first time or two and once they`ve been through a time or two it`s a doddle. VERY bad memories of a narrow footbath with lambs, and formalin and REALLY
bad language heavy in the air... Ours are mainly swales though and they do seem good to do with compared to some sheep I`ve come across.
Be hundreds lame tomorrow now.
Thanks for your reply, it's a cattle sized one I'm using here too. I'll try some strawWide cattle size plastic one here - we put a bit of straw in the first time or two and once they`ve been through a time or two it`s a doddle. VERY bad memories of a narrow footbath with lambs, and formalin and REALLY
Aspiring Peasants
Member
- Location
- North Pennines
Sometimes chuck wool in
Expanded and improved Sustainable Farming Incentive offer for farmers published
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From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and The Rt Hon Sir Mark Spencer MP Published21 May 2024
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