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Fund protecting health status, producers need to do the same

Thursday 16 July, 2009

Investment of South Australian sheep industry funds in disease control programs has built an enviable flock health status for SA producers that needs to be protected when bringing in sheep from interstate.

With the season break in many areas of regional SA, the forecast for good future rainfalls, and rising lamb prices, farmers may be thinking of either restocking depleted sheep numbers or purchasing stock to finish.

Ian Pfeiffer, chairman of the SA Sheep Advisory Group, is reminding farmers that producer money has been invested in programs relating to Ovine Johne’s Disease (OJD), footrot and sheep lice to minimise the impact of these conditions on producer returns.

“As a result of South Australia’s OJD program, the incidence of OJD in SA has decreased; in most other states it’s on the rise,” Mr Pfeiffer said.

“We are disappointed to hear of farmers purchasing sheep from interstate without knowing their OJD status because they weren’t accompanied by a completed Sheep Health Statement and then subsequently offering these sheep for sale through SA saleyards. 

“This could spread OJD and other conditions to the unsuspecting purchaser of the stock and subsequently their neighbours.

“If a property receives sheep from lower OJD score areas, other than terminal trade lambs, the property can be downgraded to the score of the introduced sheep and this would restrict access to SA markets which require a minimum score of four.”

“In areas of NSW where OJD has established itself, losses in unvaccinated sheep are commonly 20 – 30%.” 

Mr Pfeiffer also noted the movement of sheep across state borders without a completed Sheep Health Statement and National Vendor Declaration (NVD) is illegal and could expose the stock agent, transporter and producer to hefty fines and prosecution.

MerinoSA president, Francis Andrews supports the investment in disease control and the effort made to maintain a low prevalence of OJD.

“The establishment of diseases such as OJD, footrot and sheep lice will impact on the profitability of farming enterprises,” he said.

“In the future, national and overseas market access for South Australian breeder stock may strengthen because of our low incidence of disease.

“It is up to individual producers to maintain our favourable disease status and make the investment of our industry funds worthwhile,” Mr Andrews concluded.