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The Mitchell family farm approximately 1050 acres across Whitriggs and Denholm Hill farms. This family run business acted as the Borders Monitor Farm for QMS Scotland from 2016-19. Prior to becoming a monitor farm, the family had little knowledge of iceberg diseases. In 2016, at the start of the project the farm had 1000 Llyen ewes which had been a closed flock since 2001.

Often referred to as “Jaagsiekte” it is caused by a retrovirus. This virus infects the lungs of sheep, causing tumours to develop and fluid to accumulate within the airways.

Johne’s is a condition which affects all ruminants, although not in the same way. OJD is a chronic condition which is responsible for causing a reduction in productivity, immunity and fertility.

MV is caused by a retrovirus and is capable of having devastating effects on a flock, significantly reducing fertility and productivity. MV is a chronic wasting disorder, which is increasing in prevalence across UK flocks (recently doubling from 1.4-2.8%).

Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA) was first detected in UK sheep during 1987 following the importation of infected goats from Germany. Caused by the bacterium “Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis” this is a chronic disease often characterised by the formation of abscesses within the lymph nodes and/or internal organs of infected animals.

Often referred to as “hairy shaker disease”, Border Disease is caused by a pestivirus very similar to the one which causes Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) in cattle.  Border Disease has the ability to increase the proportion of barren ewes within a flock by 2-8% per year, with infected lambs growing on average 20% slower than uninfected lambs throughout the first six weeks of life.  

Johnes – Ovine Johnes Disease (OJD) was first described in 1985. OJD is a condition caused by the bacterium “Mycobacterium avium spp. Paratuberculosis” (MAP). Johne’s is a condition which affects…

MV – Maedi Visna (MV) was first detected in Icelandic sheep flocks during 1954, before being introduced to the UK following the importation of infected sheep. MV is caused by…

Borders Disease – Border Disease (BD) was initially identified in the UK during 1959. Often referred to as “hairy shaker disease”, Border Disease is caused by a pestivirus very similar…

CLA – Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA) was first detected in UK sheep during 1987 following the importation of infected goats from Germany. Caused by the bacterium “Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis” this is a…