ABSTRACT
A method for the control of ovine footrot is described which utilises the most appropriate measures to suit the circumstances for individual properties. This approach was used to eradicate the disease from three Central Otago fine-wool properties wintering in excess of 35,000 sheep on widely differing classes of land. This programme incorporates the use of proven.techniques and suitable planning together with input from the rural veterinarian, who plays an important role in demonstration and advising on control measures.
ABSTRACT
An improved facility for the treatment of footrot is described. It consists of a continuous flow system designed for the inspection and treatment of large numbers of stock. It is considered that such a system is an essential prerequisite before embarking on a treatment programme.
ABSTRACT
The results of a postal survey which yielded a 43% response on the prevalence, treatment and control of footrot in Central Otago flocks is presented. Analysis of data showed that footrot is an important and emerging disease, particularly of fine-wool flocks, and that most farmers have a poor knowledge and understanding of the epidemiology, treatment and control of the disease.
ABSTRACT
Field trials were set up on five properties to determine the cure and protection rates of a killed, nine-strain, oil adjuvanted Bacteriodes nodosus footrot vaccine, under natural conditions. Foot infections were scored at the time of the first vaccination and at approximately four weeks and ten weeks later. Cure rates were 34-47% for vaccinated sheep, and 18-47% for untreated sheep. Using the Australian Licensing Authorities calculation, the cure rates for the vaccine ranged from -40% to 44%. A lack of suitable conditions for spread of footrot meant that protection rates could not be determined.
ABSTRACT
The results of a postal survey which yielded a 57% response and which examined the incidence and cause of abortions in central Hawkes Bay flocks, is presented. Data were provided from a total of 3,952,000 ewes from 1975-80. Overall, highly significant differences in the incidence of abortion were recorded between properties (range 0-16%); years (1975-0.86%, 1976-0.75%, 1977-0.86%, 1978-2.42%, 1979-2.78%, 1980-2.04%); ewe age (maiden 2-year -5.3%, mixed age -1.6%);flock size (higher incidence in smaller flocks); and winter management systems (of the flocks which were experiencing greater than a 2% abortion rate, 73.2% were being rotationally mob stocked during the winter compared with only 23.8% being set stocked). Bacteriological examination of aborted lambs during 1979 revealed that Campylobacter spp. were involved exclusively. In the 1980 survey, only half of the lambs examined showed Campylobacter infection, the other half yielding Toxoplasma either as pure or mixed infections. The results of a trial which utilised 10,592 2-year ewes demonstrated significant differences between animals vaccinated with a killed Campylobacter vaccine and non-vaccinated controls in the following reproductive parameters: ewes aborting, dry dry ewes, total lambs born and lambs marked.
