Shelly hoof higher on the hill

Shelly hoof (White line degeneration) incidence in sheep could be significantly higher than expected, according to research scientist Marijntje Speijers of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute.

“The common view is that foot rot is more of a problem, but both Scottish data and our own research has found Shelly hoof to have a higher prevalence – the issue may be that Shelly hoof can be easily diagnosed as foot rot.”

The study is in its second year, looking at hill and lowland flocks of similar genetic stock (Blackface, and Blackface cross Swaledale, Cheviot, Lleyn or Texel and a range of lowland breeds including Texel crosses and Charollais crosses.)

“Shelly hoof incidence was much higher on hill farming systems compared with lowland farms, with 80% of ewes on hill units affected at mating time and 55% on lowland systems. Incidence was also higher before and after lambing.

“I didn’t expect levels to be this high – I thought prevalence would be higher after lambing because Shelly hoof is said to be linked to nutrition,” said Dr Speijers.

“The fact incidence was almost double on the hills could suggest animals are under added stress, such as not being able to meet their nutritional requirements.”

The trial also looked at the incidence in lambs to assess the ewe effect on offspring lameness.

“Some 34% of lambs at weaning showed signs of Shelly hoof on hill systems compared to just 16% on lowland farms.” However, at the same time, hill lambs also had lower levels of scald and Footrot (9%) than those kept on lowland systems (25%).

The impact of the breed was also investigated, with the pure Blackface animals having a lower incidence of Shelly hoof compared to Blackface cross sheep on the hill system.