New lambing checklist helps Cornish South West Farmers maintain hygiene guard

1 February 2007

First class hygiene at lambing is one of the simplest, best and most economic ways CornishSouth West farmers can reduce the losses of life and vigour the major disease challenges facing newborn lambs so frequently cause. But it only takes a momentary slip amid the intense pressures of lambing management to let a range of serious infections take hold. Especially so where large numbers of ewes are lambing indoors within a short time.

This is the timely warning from Cornwall Farmers at the launch of a special Lambing Hygiene Checklist to help farmers throughout the county maintain the best possible hygiene guard throughout their 20072006 lambing.

“With one third of all lamb losses in lowland flocks occurring during the neonatal period and a good proportion of these resulting from disease, the best possible protection against infections is vital at this critical time,” stresses the company’s Paul ThomasCornwall Farmers’ animal health specialist, John Brewer.

“The particular vulnerability of lambs to infection is compounded by the substantial build-up of bacteria in housing and lambing sheds. Under these circumstances it doesn’t take much of a hygiene slip for infections like watery mouth, joint and navel ill, clostridial disease and various types of enteritis to cause serious damage. And, of course, for every lamb that dies there will be many more whose early performance is compromised.

“Modern disinfectants like Sorgene 5 that are proven 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 just the sort of protection required at lambing,” he stresses. “But they must be used diligently as part of a well-established routine if they are to provide consistent and reliable protection. That’s what our checklist is designed to ensure.”

The Sorgene 5 Lambing Hygiene Checklist identifies the key essentials of environmental hygiene
at lambing that could make all the difference in combating losses this season:

1. 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.

2. Isolate sick ewes and lambs in specially-prepared pens well away from the healthy flock and
tend them last to minimise cross-infection dangers.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

“Good hygiene isn’t difficult,” Paul ThomasJohn Brewer insists. “But it’s all too easy to let your guard down when the pressure is on. So, use a proven disinfectant you can be sure of and follow our five simple rules throughout your lambing if you really want to minimise your losses this season.”

For specialist advice or to place an order please contact Cornwall Farmers on 0845 2255 922.