Larnygeal chondritis showing abscessation of both arytenoid cartilages. \ Department of Agriculture Regional Veterinary Laboratories
Recent years’ Teagasc sheep conferences have tackled diseases which are relatively unknown among farmers, but growing in importance, and other ailments of great significance including ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA/Jaagsiekte) and anthelmintic resistance.
Last week’s conference also highlighted a disease which many farmers may know little about called laryngeal chondritis.
The condition was discussed by Ben Strugnall, a UK vet who runs Farm Post Mortems Ltd in Durham, northeast England.
The practice was set up in response to a lack of post-mortem facilities in the region and Ben says it handles mainly sheep and cattle.
5-star: 1,525.
To put these numbers above into context, if we take 100 5-star ewes scanning 169% versus 100 1-star ewes scanning 142%, we end up with a difference of 27 more lambs for the 5-star ewes.
To summarise, 5-star replacement ewes are more prolific and will produce more lambs on average, according to Sheep Ireland.
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The fact that 5-star ewes will produce more lambs on average than 1-star ewes will play a central role in achieving the latest target set out in the Teagasc 2027 sectoral road map for sheep, to increase the number of lambs reared per ewe from the current level of 1.39 to 1.55 by 2027, through the use of available genetics and management practices.