A Survey of Farm Management Practices Relating to the Risk Factors, Prevalence, and Causes of Lamb Mortality in Ireland

Abstract

Lamb mortality is a key factor influencing ewe productivity and profitability. The current study investigated risk factors associated with and management practices implemented on sheep farms to reduce lamb mortality. A survey consisting of 13 multiple-part questions (57 separate questions) was administered to all sheep farmers participating in the Teagasc National Farm Survey, representative of the Irish national population of sheep farms. A total of 60% of respondents identify mating or lambing date, and this practice tended to be associated with reduced lamb mortality (1.2%, p = 0.08). Individual lambing pens were used by 88% of farmers, but 26% did not clean or disinfect them. A total of 79% and 9.5% of farmers applied iodine to all lambs’ navels and administered antibiotics to all lambs to treat and/or prevent diseases, respectively. Most farmers vaccinated their ewes (86%) and lambs (79%) against clostridial diseases and/or pasteurellosis; 13% vaccinated against abortion agents. Lamb mortality tended to be lower (Kruskal–Wallis (KW) = 2.749; p = 0.09) on farms that used stomach tubing, heat box, iodine, hospital, and individual pens compared with farms that do not implement all those practices. Predators, lamb birth weight, and diseases were perceived by respondents to be the three main causes of live-born lamb mortality. The gross margin is significantly higher on lowland farms by €37 per ewe compared with hill farms (Kruskal–Wallis (KW) = 4.056; p < 0.001). The combination of full-time farming and the use of hospital and individual pens improved gross margin (€18/ewe, p = 0.028). It is concluded that on-farm management practices affect both lamb mortality and flock gross margin.

A Survey of the Current Farming Practices and Perceptions on Adopting Orphan Lambs in the United Kingdom: How Do “Ewe” Do It?

“…Lamb mortality figures on UK farms have remained relatively constant at around 10-15% [2][3][4][5]; this is consistent with unpublished data collected by Royal Veterinary College students on lambing placements in 2018. A recent survey in Ireland reported a lower than previously published mortality of 7.9% [6]. Litter size impacts this, with multiple births leading to increased mortality [7,8], particularly triplets [2].…”

“…Where farms only used one method of fostering, wet fostering was 29%, with dry fostering being 27% and skinning being rarer (1%) [6]. Respondents from that study thought all three methods had similar success rates [6].…”

“…An Irish study in 2017 found that 76% of respondents adopted lambs; most were wet fostered (61%) (on its own or in combination with another method), followed by dry fostering (60%) and skinning (10%) [6]. Where farms only used one method of fostering, wet fostering was 29%, with dry fostering being 27% and skinning being rarer (1%) [6]. Respondents from that study thought all three methods had similar success rates [6].…”

“…The risk of perinatal mortality is higher in flocks that use wet adoption [2]; this was thought to indicate that farms may have had a high multiple birth rate. An Irish study in 2017 found that 76% of respondents adopted lambs; most were wet fostered (61%) (on its own or in combination with another method), followed by dry fostering (60%) and skinning (10%) [6]. Where farms only used one method of fostering, wet fostering was 29%, with dry fostering being 27% and skinning being rarer (1%) [6].…”

A questionnaire-based survey in Spain provides relevant information to improve the control of ovine coccidiosis

“…Questionnaire-based surveys have been useful in comparatively studying different management systems ( 20 ), identifying risk factors associated with lamb mortality ( 21 ) or investigating farmers’ perceptions of parasitic diseases ( 22 , 23 ), including infection by Eimeria spp. ( 24 ).…”