Caroline Jacobson

Lamb mortality is an important economic and welfare problem for the Australian sheep industry with 20 – 30% of lambs dying before weaning, 74% within three days of birth. A significant proportion of these lamb deaths and an unknown number of ewe deaths are related to dystocia (difficult birth). This review aims to describe the nutritional and non-nutritional pathways that may affect parturition and dystocia; quantify impacts on the Australian sheep industry, and; identify both opportunities to improve lamb and ewe survival and knowledge gaps requiring research and development…

Scouring (diarrhoea) is a common and frustrating reality on Australian sheep properties, and a significant impost due to direct costs and the increased risk of blowfly strike. Scouring due to nematode (worm) infections in a proportion of lambs is common for the majority of flocks especially in higher rainfall areas (Sweeny et al., 2012b). Anthelmintic treatment is commonly needed for remediation and prevention of scouring in lambs. There are a number of causes that may lead to scouring in young sheep, but in most cases the underlying cause is relatively easily diagnosed and effective treatments are available…