Scottish marts’ post-sale dipping service helps fight sheep scab

Farmers buying sheep at some Scottish marts can pay £1.20 a head to have the animals dipped to prevent scab spreading to their existing flocks.

In a novel approach designed to control rising levels of scab in Scottish flocks, Caledonian Marts has introduced a sheep dipping service at its store and breeding sheep sales in Stirling.

See also: Sheep scab – symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Last week 1,100 sheep were treated at its marts.

The dipping is subcontracted by the company on sale dates, with the £1.20 a sheep cost added to the purchase price. 

It has the potential to be rolled out to other UK marts to reduce scab risk to the national flock.

Service

Oliver Shearman, managing director of Caledonian Marts, said he had seen the numbers of farmers using the service increasing since it was launched.

“Sheep scab is becoming a real issue across the country, and this is such a simple solution to help minimise it in the national flock,” said Mr Shearman, who is a council member of Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS).

It gives buyers the confidence that they are taking home clean stock, he added.

“It saves the work when you get home of unloading into the field, then taking them out again to be dipped, and the time and effort that involves,” said Mr Shearman.

“It’s also good for smaller enterprises that don’t have enough sheep to employ a dipper for a day on the farm.” 

Control scab spread

Sheep scab is a fast-spreading, acute form of allergic dermatitis which causes intense irritation and weight loss in affected animals, reduces fertility and, in extreme cases, leads to death.

Dipping eliminates mites that cause it and therefore minimises transmission.

IAAS executive director Neil Wilson urged other marts to follow Caledonian Marts’ lead.

Dipping, he said, was one of the most effective measures to control scab spread.

“If marts and farmers work together on this, it will be a huge benefit to the industry. It also strengthens the reputation of our marts as safe, responsible places for trade,” said Mr Wilson.