The Farmers Mart Feb/Mar 2015 - Issue 38 | Page 39

Sheep LAMBING CHECKLIST TO MAINTAIN VITAL HYGIENE »»First class hygiene at lambing is vitally important to reduce the major disease challenges facing newborn lambs. But a momentary slip, amid the intense pressures of lambing management, can allow serious infections to take hold; especially where large numbers of ewes are lambing indoors within a short time. This timely warning comes from rural hygiene specialists, BASF, whose Lambing Hygiene Checklist will help northern farmers maintain the best possible hygiene guard throughout 2015 lambing. “A third of all lamb losses in lowland flocks occur during the neonatal period, so effective protection against infections is vital at this critical time,” stresses Charlie Ives of BASF. “The risk is compounded by the substantial build-up of bacteria in housing and lambing sheds. A hygiene slip can result in infections such as watery mouth, joint and navel ill, clostridial disease and enteritis to cause serious damage. And for every lamb that dies there will be many more whose early performance is compromised.” “Modern disinfectants like Sorgene 5, proven to be effective against all major disease-causing agents - even in the presence of severe soiling - as well as safe to use around ewes and lambs offer the right protection required at lambing, but they must be used diligently as part of a well-established routine to ensure consistent and reliable protection. That’s what our checklist is designed to ensure.” The lambing shed is also an ideal environment for breeding bacteria. You can protect against unnecessary lambing loss with Sorgene® 5. Key essentials: • Thoroughly disinfect all accommodation before the start of lambing, pressure washing the sides and floors of pens with a good quality detergent before spraying them with a 1:100 solution of Sorgene 5 broad spectrum disinfectant. • Isolate sick ewes and lambs in specially-prepared pens well away from the healthy flock and tend them last to minimise cross-infection dangers. • Wear clean overalls, dip boots in a 1:100 solution of Sorgene 5 before entering the shed and wash hands with bactericidal soap before and after examining ewes and lambs or assisting with lambing. ‘Keep a bucket of 1:100 solution of Sorgene 5 on hand at all times’ • Keep a bucket of 1:100 solution of Sorgene 5 on hand at all times to routinely disinfect all lambing equipment, water bowls, teats and milk dispensers, refreshing it regularly. • Muck out pens frequently, replenish them with fresh bedding generously and disinfect exposed surfaces with a 1:100 solution of Sorgene 5 in a knapsack or a hand-held sprayer at least daily. Use biocides safely. Always read the product label and information before use. Sorgene® 5 contains peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Sorgene® 5 is a registered trademark of BASF. Disinfection is better than infection. 150 years www.farmers-mart.co.uk Feb/Mar 2015 39