Sheep

Practical Pointers When Investigating Abortions in Cattle and Sheep

Abortion investigations in cattle and sheep can be frustrating, time-pressured, and often unrewarding if the wrong samples are collected — or none at all. When whole foetuses and placentas cannot be submitted, targeted sampling can still provide strong diagnostic value. Here is a practical guide to help maximise diagnostic yield while managing client expectations and lab workflow.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
30/01/2026

Low Energy Silage in 2025: What It Means for Herd and Flock Performance

Results from over 1,000 new-season silage samples across Scotland are highlighting a significant nutritional challenge for the year ahead. Data compiled by SAC Consulting from 1,022 silage submissions in 2025 shows a widespread reduction in metabolisable energy (ME), with important implications for both cattle and sheep enterprises.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
30/01/2026

Look Out for Rickets in 2026

As we move into the early months of the year, it’s important to keep an eye out for rickets in lambs and hoggs. This condition, while not new, can catch flocks off guard—especially under certain management and nutritional circumstances.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
07/01/2026

Protecting Flocks and Profits: The Vital Role of HISHA in EAE Prevention

When it comes to sheep farming in the Highlands and Islands, flock health is important. That’s why the Highlands and Islands Sheep Health Association (HISHA) plays such a vital role—providing farmers with EAE-accredited sheep to ensure they can buy top-quality, disease-free replacements with confidence.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
05/08/2025

Nematodirus Warning: PGE Risk in Lambs Is Rising

Our Veterinary Investigation Officers are seeing an unseasonably high number of PGE (parasitic gastroenteritis) and Nematodirus cases in recent weeks. Read on to learn about what has casued the increased worm challenege and how you can reduce the risk to your stock.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
25/07/2025

On the Hoof - In the run up to lambing

Now is the time to arrange visits to check the energy and protein status of ewes lambing in March. …

SRUC Veterinary Services
18/02/2025

Schmallenberg virus and abortion sampling

We have recently confirmed abortion and or the birth of deformed lambs in several early lambing flocks due to Schmallenberg virus (SBV). SBV infection has been confirmed in flocks across the southern half of Scotland, including Dumfries & Galloway and Stirlingshire.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
31/01/2025

Parasite control survey launch

Scottish farmers are being invited to take part in a new research survey to investigate the impact of resistance to wormers.…

Veterinary services
12/04/2021

Abomasal Bloat in Pet Lambs

One of the banes of artificially rearing lambs is abomasal bloat.…

Veterinary services
12/04/2021

Investigating Neonatal Losses: On-farm Postmortem

Lamb losses in the neonatal period can have a profound impact upon that year’s reproduction figures, as well as farmer wellbeing.…

Veterinary services
12/04/2021

Schmallenberg Update

With the peak of the spring calving and lambing season approaching, we wanted to give a further update on Schmallenberg virus.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
09/03/2021

Investigating Poor Scanning Rates in Sheep Flocks

Lots of flocks will already have scanned for this year, although some are yet to do so. The barren rate within a flock should be <2%. Greater than that, (and certainly >4%) warrants investigation.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
15/02/2021