Scanning pregnant ewes is ‘crucial’ says SRUC

By Andrew Arbuckle
Published on 05/02/2013 02:24

Sheep experts at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) have advised farmers with pregnant ewes to get them scanned to tell which ewes are carrying single lambs, twins or triplets.

Sheep experts at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) have advised farmers with pregnant ewes to get them scanned to tell which ewes are carrying single lambs, twins or triplets.

Dr John Vipond said that scanning this year could help save costs and reduce lamb losses. His comments come after one of the wettest years on record, when many ewes are approaching spring lambing in poor condition.

One risk factor he identified is the Schmallenberg virus which has already caused problems south of the Border.

“Scotland seems to have escaped so far but the industry remains on the alert. Presently there is more concern about the effects of parasites which flourish in wet conditions and put additional strain on sheep already in poor condition.”

It is because of these factors that Vipond believed farmers would see an increase in the number of scanned ewes either showing no lambs or smaller lambs.