Went to a mart on the borders of the dales for the first time in a good few years to a mule shearling sale a few weeks ago there was a pen of 10 mule shearlings that looked as good as anything else there (most made 130 ish ) but stuggled to make £70 a head , there was buyers from all over the place there so I was scratching my head abit as to why this pen was not bidded higher , I over heard someone say its down to known disease on this farm ? if that is the case then why are these people allowed to sell breeding stock through the mart ?
Bad name at the mart....
- Thread starter Plopper
- Start date
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
I don’t suppose they can be stopped unless it’s a notifiable disease. In reality, many more flocks selling breeding sheep will also be carrying diseases like Mv, cla, OPA or Johnnes, but unless testing has been done, nobody would know.
You would hope anybody knowingly battling one of those diseases would not be passing it on, but if that’s your only income stream for the year, what do you do? Say you have a flock of Swales, with a crop of mule ewe lambs, and you discover you have Mv or OPA?we all know what the right thing to do would be, but it would be a hell of a hit financially.
You would hope anybody knowingly battling one of those diseases would not be passing it on, but if that’s your only income stream for the year, what do you do? Say you have a flock of Swales, with a crop of mule ewe lambs, and you discover you have Mv or OPA?we all know what the right thing to do would be, but it would be a hell of a hit financially.
from what I heard it was discovered a while back and they have carried on breeding mules regardless.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
What disease was it?
MV
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
Sadly, they’re not alone then. Several terminal sire flocks that have had an Mv breakdown have just chosen to drop the testing and carry on. One that did that was thought to be responsible (2/3 of the rams tested positive iirc) for widespread Mv in a 2000 ewe mule flock that I know had a breakdown. That flock culled out their old ewes, but also sold the younger mules in batches for breeding!?
There have been quite a few Mv breakdowns in pedigree flocks, traced back to non-Mv (usually mule) ewes bought in to use as ET recipients. That fella in your market certainly isn’t alone in selling infected sheep, knowingly or not.
There have been quite a few Mv breakdowns in pedigree flocks, traced back to non-Mv (usually mule) ewes bought in to use as ET recipients. That fella in your market certainly isn’t alone in selling infected sheep, knowingly or not.
We really are our own worst enemy at times....Sadly, they’re not alone then. Several terminal sire flocks that have had an Mv breakdown have just chosen to drop the testing and carry on. One that did that was thought to be responsible (2/3 of the rams tested positive iirc) for widespread Mv in a 2000 ewe mule flock that I know had a breakdown. That flock culled out their old ewes, but also sold the younger mules in batches for breeding!?
There have been quite a few Mv breakdowns in pedigree flocks, traced back to non-Mv (usually mule) ewes bought in to use as ET recipients. That fella in your market certainly isn’t alone in selling infected sheep, knowingly or not.
That's the great thing about live marts ---you can buy and sell anything you want as long as it looks ok on the day
Of course it's not just limited to marts , i have bought sheep that tested +tive from MV from society sales, i've also bought sheep that tested +tive for CLA from individual breeders (re-tested +tive 3 times ) but they refuse to accept they may have a problem and continue to sell breeding rams
These days i either test bought in stock before i buy them or test them whilst in quarantine (twice, 6 months apart----long quarantine)
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
There can also be malicious rumours, but we hope there aren't. (Nothing to do with the opening post, btw).
Seen that almost destroy one business and I know it was malicious because I talked to the vets. Yes, there is client confidentiality, but there are ways to ask questions.
Seen that almost destroy one business and I know it was malicious because I talked to the vets. Yes, there is client confidentiality, but there are ways to ask questions.
pgk
Member
- Location
- south warwickshire
Know of a farmer whose daughter, a vet, established mules were carrying mv so sold the whole lot privately. Imagine being on the receiving end of that.
dogandstick
Member
- Location
- on the horizon
These people are no better than cheapskate car sales folk that would palm you off with a dodgy cut and shut motor. Amazing how underhanded folk can be when there’s a buck to me made.
- Location
- somerset
friend was told, by his vet, he should sell any johnes +ve cows, as they calve. Unbelievable, but I think it is a common occurrence. Single 12 month hol hfr in local market last year, big red tag in its ear, sold as +ve BVD, started low, and ended up decent money -around £500. Some people just don't help themselves.
dogandstick
Member
- Location
- on the horizon
Until greed takes over, then it’s a case of do unto others before they do unto you.
CharcoalWally
Member
- Location
- West of Scotland
Didn't the vet mean cull them though?
- Location
- somerset
I don't think so !
Rather, treat others as you would prefer to be treated yourself! Not always the same thing.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
Why? If a flock has mv diagnosed, then the sheep cannot be sold as mv accredited. The problem (as far as mv is concerned) comes from buying non-mv stock, or from flocks that have just 'dropped out' of it.
Buying Mv accredited stock is about your only way to reduce the risk of bringing it in.
yea it were tim that mentioned he'd bought mv infected from society sales in the past. i suppose there are rogues in every walk of life, so farming will have its share as well, all though a low minority