Check your rams for brucellosis
Every season, we have to deal with several outbreaks of brucellosis in several regions of our practice.
Some outbreaks result in entire ram flocks being culled because of a very high infection rate. Others take longer to get under control because of a lower level of infection within the ram flock and a slower rate of spread. Such cases often require multiple blood tests several weeks apart before the disease can be eradicated from the ram flock.
Over the last few seasons, the number of you contacting us about checking rams has increased, which is very encouraging. Traditionally rams have always been checked prior to mating. The problem with this is that if a problem is identified, there is often insufficient time to test and cull rams and ensure a Brucella ovis-free flock prior to mating. The disease can then spread like wildfire during tupping, which can have dramatic effects on scanning percentages.
Your rams can be checked at any time and any infection that spreads during the previous mating season should by then be detectable. Outside the breeding season, when rams are sexually inactive, it can be much easier to eradicate the disease with minimal blood tests.
The important things to remember are:
- Always purchase rams from a Brucella ovis-free source (rams purchased should at least have been palpated)
- Avoid sharing or borrowing rams
- A community approach works best for preventing spread of disease within an area - talk to your neighbours and have a plan
- The disease is not carried from season to season in the ewe flock
- There is no treatment
If you would like your rams palpated in good time, please ring Hayley at the Feilding branch on 06 323 6161 and she will arrange a visit that suits you, even if it's in the New Year. If your dogs are also due for their vaccinations, Hayley can book this out at the same time.
