Nematodirus risk: The time frame for the release of the Department of Agriculture’s nematodirus forecast has generally been the first week to 10 days of April in recent years. It is unlikely that there will be too much variation this year and as such flockowners should be mindful of an increased risk of infection in lambs in the coming weeks.

The disease generally hits in the east and southeast coastal areas first and then spreads countrywide. Lambs start to exhibit clinical signs of infection two to three weeks after peak hatching dates, with treatment recommended thereafter. Guidelines from the Department forecast will be highlighted on our website once released but in the meantime farmers should keep an eye out for any signs of disease and treat lambs accordingly. Typical signs of infection are profuse diarrhoea, dehydration and weight loss. The infection is not to be confused with coccidiosis, with the difference being lambs exhibiting a blood-stained dark grey scour. In severe cases of nematodirus lambs can be seen congregating around water troughs due to a greater thirst developing.

The highest risk is in multiple litters or lambs suckling ewes with a poor milk yield and being active grazers at a younger age. There is also a greater risk on highly stocked farms due to a higher grazing intensity and much lower opportunity of having clean grazing available. Lambs generally develop an immunity as they reach 10 to 12 weeks or age.

The recommended treatment is a white drench or benzimidazoles. It is also worth noting that there is no treatment that offers residual cover to nematodirus and that retreatment may be required where there is a significant risk or age gap between lambs in the one grazing group. Faecal egg counts are not a reliable method of detection.

Creep grazing: This week’s sheep feature on page 35 discusses grassland management but there was not enough room to discuss the merits of creep grazing. The practice is often not a runner on sheep farms due to poor infrastructure/fencing or fragmented lands. Where possible, creep grazing has the potential to increase weaning weights by 2kg and achieve a similar lift in performance to restricted creep feeding. It can be easily achieved via a creep gate (spacing at 225mm or 9in) being placed beside a field gate and will facilitate lambs being offered a restricted level of concentrates in troughs as they get older and intake significantly increase.

Liver fluke and ewes on their back: The advice for flocks outwintered on lands prone to liver fluke infestation is treatment in January and again in April. More regular treatment is advised depending on the year. Chronic liver fluke is the issue at this time of the year and product selection should focus on an active ingredient that covers mature and immature fluke. Where ewes have been housed for a number of weeks then there is a good opportunity to alternate between active ingredients and utilise products which are not appropriate earlier in the season.

With an upturn in weather, there is also a much greater risk of ewes going on their backs. High-risk ewes such as those yet to lamb should be checked regularly. Placing an implement in the field for ewes to scratch against may help.