A5 Q2 Torch Summer Magazine 2024 - Flipbook - Page 12
RAM BAM THANK EWE MA’AM!
By Guto Wynne BVMS MRCVS
The 琀椀me has come around again to think about your rams in plenty of 琀椀me before
tupping.
Up to 30% of rams are sub fer琀椀le. A sub fer琀椀le ram can be hugely costly as he can
a昀昀ect the performance of all the ewes he runs with. Even if mul琀椀ple rams are used
in a group, an infer琀椀le dominant ram can stop the other fer琀椀le rams from working
.
New Tup Tips! (also applies to replacement ewes)
All new rams should have a full MOT before purchase and fer琀椀lity tested prior to
use.
All bought in animals including replacement ewes and lambs should be quaran琀椀ne
treated before mixing with the rest of the 昀氀ock and grazing on your ground.
• Isola琀椀on - any bought in stock should be isolated from any other stock for at
least 3 weeks. Ideally in a hard standing for the 昀椀rst 48 hours
• Worming - bought in animals should be treated with a group 4 or 5 wormer to
guard against bringing resistant worm eggs onto your pasture.
• Fluke - stock should be treated with a 昀氀ukicide product appropriate for the
琀椀me of purchase (closantel/triclabendazole)
• Feet - Check every foot on entry. Then check them again before leaving quaran琀椀ne. Look for any signs of infec琀椀on star琀椀ng in the feet. (CODD lesions
can take weeks to appear) Treat promptly if found and don’t mix with other
stock un琀椀l the lesion is fully resolved. Footvax could be used on all bought in
animals.
• Scab - ideally we would blood test for scab exposure 14 days a昀琀er arrival on
farm. Treatment op琀椀ons include dipping and injectable Moxidec琀椀n - Cau琀椀on!
There is growing resistance to Moxidec琀椀n and Cydec琀椀n 1% should not be
used if there’s a possibility that they have previously been Footvax vaccinated
• General health - monitor animals for any signs of disease. For help with construc琀椀ng a quaran琀椀ne plan for your farm – speak to your designated vet/
branch.
