Every year we test the 5 year old sheep for CL (Caseous lymphadenitis), OPP (Ovine Progressive Pneumonia), and Johnnes Disease. This year it was Iris (commercial Katahdin ewe) and Dazzle (Registered St Croix ewe)
Iris in the back, Dazzle in the front.
Many years ago we had several problems in the flock and began testing. First for OPP, as it was cheaper, and culled all positives. Then the remaining sheep were tested for CL, also culling all positives. We continued testing until we came up with 3 all clear tests in a row. Now we test roughly 10-20% of the flock every year (and added Johnnes Disease testing) to keep ourselves on a clean status. Also tested are newcomers and any sheep having troubles (like abscesses, not keeping weight, etc).
Wonderful! Are sheep also susceptible to CAE? We raise registered Nubian goats and have been considering adding St. Croix sheep to our farm. Biosecurity is a huge deal for us. Good to hear that there are some sheep breeders who are doing testing!
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I have read that people who raise goats with sheep will need to test the sheep for CAE as well. It isn’t a problem though for people who don’t have goats. I take it very seriously as well!!
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Wonderful! Are sheep also susceptible to CAE? We raise registered Nubian goats and have been considering adding St. Croix sheep to our farm. Biosecurity is a huge deal for us. Good to hear that there are some sheep breeders who are doing testing!
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