SHEEP farmers have attended a flock lameness reduction workshop.

Those attending the seminar, which was organised by Countrywide Farmers in association with Belmont Vets at Home Farm, Allensmore, heard how sticking by an industry-accepted five-point plan, helping reduce disease to less than one per cent within three years.

Those attending took part in a range of practical break-out sessions designed to give them the skills to tackle the challenge of reducing the number of lame sheep on their farm.

"The five-point plan gives sheep producers a clear lameness management strategy for the future and a practical protocol for reducing the incidence of this costly problem," said sheep vet Phillipa Page, who ran the workshop.

"Implemented correctly, the five-point plan builds a flock's resilience to disease through culling persistently lame animals, reduces the infection challenge on the farm and establishes immunity through vaccination.

"Many flocks around the country are seeing the benefits of implementing this plan and sheep lameness nationally would be dramatically reduced if more farmers adopted it."

A 2015 report in the Veterinary Record highlighted one flock of 1,200 ewes which managed to reduce lameness levels from an average annual prevalence of 7.4 per cent to 2.6 per cent within a year of implementing the plan.

"Lameness should not be accepted as part and parcel of sheep farming and the summer/early autumn is a good time to get started," added Ms Page.

"Any ewes that have had persistent or chronic lameness problems should be culled before tupping."

She also stressed that the early treatment of any lame sheep is a crucial part of the five-point plan.

"The feet of affected sheep should be examined closely to identify the cause of the lameness," she said.

"If in doubt, seek veterinary diagnostic advice and then treat the infectious conditions appropriately with antibiotics, even if it is only a mild case."

Farmers interested in implementing the five-point plan on their own farm should call their vet or Colin Warne from Countrywide Farmers on 07768 823653.