‘Five-fold reduction in foot-rot possible’

Proper management of foot-rot could cut national lameness levels from one in 10 to one in 50 sheep, according to researchers at Warwick University.

It is estimated nine million sheep are lame a year, 90% of which is due to foot-rot, and at a cost to the industry of £80m a year, explained Laura Green, who has been leading the research at Warwick University.

“We have found that prompt treatment with an antibiotic means foot-rot can be cured within three to five days. By using this one single treatment we believe it is possible to maintain the prevalence of lameness at below 2%, a reduction from the current average of 10%,” she said.

“This is a significant finding because it can have an immediate impact on the disease with rapid cure, minimising the time sheep are lame as well as increasing productivity for farmers.”

However, while the treatment can help control the disease, it still means there will be about 50 cases for every 100 sheep a year, which is why Prof Green is looking at the bacteria causing foot-rot.

“Within five hours of being born, foot-rot bacteria occupy lambs’ feet but not all of them go on to get foot-rot and lameness. So the next step is to look at how the bacteria colonise the foot, which in turn could improve prevention through managing the host and bacteria.”

Prof Green also emphasised the importance of biosecurity on farm as a method of prevention. “Biosecurity is always important to prevent any disease coming on farm. When foot-rot is a problem, taking out diseased animals can be effective and in terms of management this may be best at housing and after lambing, for example.”

As a result of the research, which was funded by the Biotechnological and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Sheep Veterinary Society is drafting new recommendations on the treatment and control of foot-rot.

• Find out how to improve biosecurity on your farm as well as controlling a whole host of endemic diseases with help from our online Academy Section at www.fwi.co.uk/academy.