FMD Symposium 2026: A Landmark Event for Knowledge, Collaboration and Biosecurity
The 2026 FMD Symposium brought together the livestock industry for a memorable day of education, engagement, collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Livestock
SHEEP FEEDLOTS | DR JARRED MORRIS BVSc MSc (Agric)
Introduction Sheep feedlots represent a specialized and efficient system of raising weaner lambs for meat production in an intensive environment. Lambs are placed into feedlot pens, where they are fed a carefully formulated ration to optimize feedlot performance. Average daily gain, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and carcass parameters should be measured. Due to a rapidly growing global population, this agricultural practice has gained popularity as a result of an increased demand for lamb and mutton. The adoption of sheep feedlots is not without its challenges. These animals are entering a high stress, pathogen-filled environment often directly after weaning. Striking a balance between efficient production and responsible farming, with focus on good animal welfare and husbandry, is crucial. There are vital steps in the sheep feedlotting process that need to be considered. Lamb selection Lamb selection is extremely important when purchasing lambs for a feedlot. There are many factors needing careful consideration when selecting a lamb for the feedlot such as weaning weight, age, and breed. These factors need to be thoroughly thought out and planned. For example, light weight lambs are automatically higher risk and are more predisposed to respiratory problems after arrival at the feedlot compared to heavier lambs. Lamb arrival and vaccination The 3R system is a practice that should be upheld before processing occurs. The newly arrived lambs need to have one hours rest for every hour they spent truck prior to processing. They need to rehydrate themselves with fresh cool water and […]
Ringworm
Do your calves have these strange hairless circular spots? It is a ringworm.Are you saying you get worms found in the skin? No, not to worry because ringworm is a fungal infection of the hair and surface layers of the skin. So, is it of much importance? Ringworm causes economic losses by affecting growth rates, especially during the early stage of infection, and permanent hide damage.Ringworm is transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal or indirectly by fomites (such as equipment, fencing, and feed troughs). Many factors play a role in the risk of spreading ring worm such as younger calves being more susceptible, high-density areas/camps, poor nutrition, lowered immunity, hot humid climates, and access to direct sunlight.Ringworm is characterized by grey, white circular scabs (3-5cm). Ringworm lesions are generally found on the head and neck of animals but can be found all over the body. This is why the feeding and water trough play such a key role in the spread of disease as this is where the direct contact occurs. Ringworms get their distinct circular shape from the infection starting in the center and moving outwards. Scabs can fall off leaving a hairless area with a crusty edge.Ringworm can be and is treated by using topical medications. Although these medications cannot penetrate the scab, therefore the scab needs to be scraped or brushed off first. Lesions need to be treated at least twice three to five days apart. The following products can be used F10 spray or ointment, […]
Lumpy Jaw in Cattle
Lumpy jaw is a disease of the jawbone caused by a bacterial infection called Actinomyces bovis. These bacteria form part of the normal flora in the mouth of ruminants. So then how does it cause disease? The bacteria enter the soft tissue of the mouth through open wounds. These wounds can be caused by foreign objects such as sticks, wire, thorns, or grass awns. Very coarse feed has also been known to cause injury to the soft tissue of the mouth.True to its common name, this bacterium produces permanent hard swellings on the bones of the jaw. The bottom jawbone, the mandible, is more commonly affected. The swellings are multiple pus-filled abscesses attached to the bone. The by-products produced by this bacterium start to break down the bone of the jaw – forming little pits in the bone. The body tries to compensate for this loss by laying down new bone. This is how these swellings become permanent. The bone affected by this bacterium has a very characteristic honeycomb appearance. These swellings cause facial distortion, loss of teeth, and difficulty breathing as they obstruct the airway.Animals do not die from the bacterium directly but rather the consequences of it. Animals affected by this bacterium are unable to eat or drink properly resulting in poor condition.Lumpy jaw is not a highly contagious disease, often only one to two are affected. Animals can be treated but unfortunately, any bony changes to the jaw cannot be reversed. The bacterium is killed by treating […]
Lumpy Skin Disease Virus
Lumpy skin disease is an infectious, highly contagious occasionally fatal disease of cattle characterized by nodules on the skin and other parts of the body, both internally and externally. Lumpy skin disease is most often found in southern and eastern Africa, but in the 1970s it extended northwest through into middle and northern Africa as well as the middle east.Lumpy skin disease appears epidemically or sporadically its incidence is highest in wet summer weather, but it may occur in winter because of global warming. Temperatures are not dropping low enough to remove the responsible vector population Since it is largely a vector-borne disease, environmental conditions need to be right for the disease to occur. There are many mechanisms of transmission in this diseaseTicks- R.appendiculatusBiting flies -Tabanid species and stomoxys calcitransSemenSalivaClinical signs:The incubation period is 4–14 days. Infected cattle develop primary viremia which presents with a fever. Lethargy, inappetence, and malaise are also common clinical signs seen at this stage of infection. The nodules are well-circumscribed, round, slightly raised, and full thickness through the skin. Nodules may develop in the respiratory tract as well as along the digestive system on any of the epithelial surfaces. Distal limb swelling is also a common occurrence because of the impedance of lymphatic drainage from the distal limbs.In time, the nodules either regress or necrosis of the skin results in hard, raised areas known as sit-fasts. These areas slough to leave ulcers, which heal and scar.Diagnosis:A diagnosis of LSDV is often made on clinical signs. However, histopathology, […]