Islay WIA: Making the Most of your Animal Health Decisions

A game changer for sheep on the West Coast? Join us at the Oyster Shed, Islay on 27th January to hear more.

It’s very tricky to castrate and tail lambs within 7 days unless lambs are born inbye. Could two new techniques, that allow castration and tailing up to 3 months of age, not only reduce pain levels in lambs, but allow better and easier management?

The all-important intake of colostrum and bonding of ewe and lamb can be disrupted by tailing and castrating. Changing timings, so that one or other is carried out when the lamb is older, perhaps alongside other treatments such as vaccination or worming, reduces mismothering, and could be more efficient.

In recent years new equipment that can reduce the pain associated with tailing and castrating have been developed. Numnuts and Clipfitter are now more widely available and have been shown to have welfare benefits when used for tailing and castrating.

Come along to have a go on Baary the demo lamb and discuss techniques, benefits and drawbacks, costs and practicalities.

In addition, supported by Species on the Edge, Islay vets will discuss their rapid Faecal Egg Testing service and how it can be used to improve flock health, reduce unnecessary treatment and anthelmintic resistance and save time and money.

Lunch is provided so booking is essential.