Farmer Focus: Sheep scab is affecting us for the third year in a row

At the beginning of September a truckload of our finished cattle traveled to Yorkshire for slaughter. These were 28-month-old heifers that were fattened a little later than usual.

Disappointed with the winter weight gain, we kept her over the summer to gain weight and condition on grass. We were very happy with the result.

See also: Video – Island rallies to kill 28,500 sheep and fight scab

We had our annual tuberculosis test and were happy to learn again this year that the cattle tested negative for the disease.

Another animal health problem that has resurfaced this year is sheep scab. We are dismayed that we have to deal with this for the third year in a row.

The source is the same every year and I can’t imagine the problem getting better. We need to start a major double fencing project – or consider giving up sheep farming.

It’s frustrating as we farm the ewes organically all year round, but when we finish the lambs we lose organic status due to dipping (for 98 days on these particular lambs), doubling the normal waiting time.

We could sell them conventionally in November or wait until January to recapture the organic market – but that will be in the middle of winter and not ideal.

We had some scab-free lambs, finished them up and sent them to the local slaughterhouse.

After a few months of slow finishing of the lambs, we were finally able to achieve satisfactory results in terms of good condition and weights.

A good lambing result has a very positive effect on morale and increases your confidence in your ability to get the job done.

We weighed the steers back in mid-September to estimate summer weight gain on grass and determine plans.

Given the unsettled weather, we expect to have the cattle ready in eight out of ten years.

Normally they fatten up on red clover and very little feed for about 20 months, but this year they averaged 460kg, far less than our target of 520kg or more.

I booked them for a market sale at the store this morning.

We took stool samples to the vet to check for any worm infestations or other health issues, but everything seemed fine. We just have to accept that it’s that kind of year.