Many conditions can cause abortions in sheep and goats. The most common are enzootic abortion, brucellosis, Rift Valley fever, Wesselsbron disease, stress and habitual abortion.
ENZOOTIC ABORTION
Enzootic abortion (chlamydiosis) is a contagious disease in sheep and goats. It occurs countrywide in South Africa, and may be found in the intestines of healthy animals.
The disease usually spreads during lambing and kidding. Sheep and goats pick up the organism by mouth when they graze in an area contaminated by infected afterbirth or uterine fluid. The lambs/kids can be infected during birth.
Outbreaks usually occur within a year or two of bringing the infected animals onto the farm. Chlamydial infection can remain dormant in the ewe lamb until she, in turn, aborts during her first pregnancy. The ewe shows no signs of illness.
The more intensive the enterprise, the more likely the disease will spread throughout the flock. Flocks infected for the first time may have an abortion incidence of up to 70%. An abortion can occur as early as three months, but the foetus is then usually re-absorbed. Spots of blood above the udder and on the hocks of the ewe may be the only sign of abortion.
Ewes may abort in the last month of gestation, or give birth to small, weak lambs that die shortly after birth, leading to a poor lambing percentage.
Chlamydiosis can be treated with prolonged, high doses of certain antibiotics, but this is usually neither practical nor economically feasible. Ask your animal health technician or state veterinarian for help.
Denne historien er fra September 03, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 03, 2021-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid
A horse can get a swollen eye from bumping it against a tree, shaking its head to keep flies away, or even snake venom
IPM requires a completely different mindset
You need to investigate any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants, or you can purchase them
Does parrot farming protect wild species?
Those in favour of commercial captive breeding argue that breeding parrots to sell can relieve pressure on wild populations. Researchers Neil D'Cruze and Rowan Martin review the evidence.
Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic
Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it's important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management. Magda du Toit reports.
Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming
The inadequate management of waste water is a challenge that the agriculture sector needs to deal with. Magda du Toit spoke to experts in waste and water management about a cost-effective treatment system.
Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms
Farm attacks, murders, livestock and crop theft, and other rural crimes are a growing concern in South Africa. As a result, more and more farmers are turning to advanced security technology to protect their lives, properties, and livelihoods. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to experts about the security strategies that producers can adopt to combat these threats.
The impact of theft on farms in South Africa
A high number of livestock are being stolen every year in South Africa. Insurance is expensive and farmers are battling to find solutions to the problem, says Dr Lindie von Maltitz, agricultural economics lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State.
Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze
John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the importance of environmental and social sustainability for a prosperous agriculture sector.
Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month
Free State Agriculture (FSA) is very concerned about the extremely poor state of rural paved and gravel roads in the province and has very little, if anything, to celebrate during Transport Month, which takes place every October.
SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'
The Just Transition Agenda for Food System Policymaking in SA webinar, hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) in October, highlighted the role that South Africa’s food system plays in contributing to climate change and how vulnerable it is to the impact thereof.
