Footbathing and Foot Trimming, and No Quarantine: Risks for High Prevalence of Lameness in a Random Sample of 269 Sheep Flocks in England, 2022

Lewis, Katharine Eleanor; Green, Martin; Clifton, Rachel; Monaghan, Emma; Prosser, Naomi; Nabb, Elizabeth; Green, Laura

Abstract

Since 2004, the prevalence of lameness in sheep flocks in England has reduced as farmers have adopted evidence-based management practices to control lameness. In 2011, the Farm Animal Welfare Council proposed a target prevalence of <2% lameness in sheep by 2021. This study investigated whether that target had been achieved and determined which practices were associated with prevalence of lameness. A postal questionnaire was sent to 1000 randomly selected farmers to investigate the prevalence of lameness and management practices in 2022. The geometric mean prevalence of lameness was <2% in ewes and lambs, but the median was 3%; approximately 26% flocks had <2% lameness. Data were analysed using robust variable selection with multivariable linear models. Farmers that quarantined ewes for ≥3 weeks and did not use foot bathing or foot trimming to prevent lameness had 40–50% lower prevalence of lameness than those not using these practices. Fewer farmers (19.0%) were always using parenteral antimicrobials to treat footrot, an effective practice, than in previous research (49.7%). We conclude that the target of <2% lameness in England has been achieved by 26% of farmers, and further work is required for more farmers to follow the evidence-based management practices to minimise lameness.

Citation

Lewis, K. E., Green, M., Clifton, R., Monaghan, E., Prosser, N., Nabb, E., & Green, L. (2024). Footbathing and Foot Trimming, and No Quarantine: Risks for High Prevalence of Lameness in a Random Sample of 269 Sheep Flocks in England, 2022. Animals, 14(14), Article 2066. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142066

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 8, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 14, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-07
• Deposit Date: Jul 17, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 17, 2024
• Journal: Animals
• Electronic ISSN: 2076-2615
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 14
• Article Number: 2066
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142066
• Keywords: ewes; lambs; lameness; quarantine; footbathing; foot trimming; exploratory variable selection
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/37309281
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/14/2066