By vet Jacob Whitaker
Buying new breeding stock is an excellent opportunity to improve the genetics and productivity of your flock. However, every animal brought onto the farm also carries the potential risk of introducing disease, which can have long-term consequences for flock health and profitability.
As tup sales approach, taking time to plan your purchase can help protect the investment you are making. Before buying, in my mind there are three key areas to consider: where you buy from, what you buy, and how you manage the animal once it arrives.
Where?
The first consideration is the source of the animal. Whenever possible, find out as much as you can about the health status of the flock it has come from. Purchasing from accredited or monitored flocks can significantly reduce the risk of introducing important chronic diseases such as Maedi Visna (MV).
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find out what diseases the flock has experienced, what vaccination programme they follow, and how they manage parasites. A reputable breeder should be happy to discuss their flock health plan.
It’s also important to think about the diseases present on your own farm. Will the tup need vaccinating to match your flock’s program? Are there parasite treatments or quarantine procedures that should be carried out on arrival? Planning these in advance makes the transition much smoother.
What?
Take time to thoroughly examine any potential purchase. Assess the animal’s body condition score and ensure it is fit without being over-fat. Check the teeth, eyes, legs and feet for any abnormalities or signs of disease.
For breeding males, particular attention should be paid to the reproductive organs. Both testicles should be firm, even in size and free from pain, heat or swellings. If possible, inspect the penis for injuries, abnormalities or evidence of infection.
A breeding soundness examination performed by your vet before the breeding season can be a worthwhile investment. Purchasing a tup is expensive, and identifying any fertility issues before he goes in with the ewes can prevent disappointing scanning results and or losing time on getting ewes in lamb.
Quarantine
Once the new tup arrives on the farm, quarantine is one of the most important disease prevention measures you can take.
Ideally, newly purchased animals should be isolated for at least four weeks. This provides time for diseases to become apparent and allows you to monitor the animal closely for any signs of illness before it joins the main flock.
Quarantine also provides the opportunity to administer any vaccinations needed to match your flock’s health plan and carry out appropriate parasite treatments. Work with your vet to develop a quarantine protocol that suits your farm.
For many pedigree breeds, the timing of tup sales can make a four-week quarantine difficult before tupping begins. Where possible, consider buying earlier or purchasing privately to allow sufficient time for isolation and health checks.
Finally, remember that disease isn’t only spread by animals. Trailers, handling equipment, dosing guns, hurdles and even clothing and footwear can all transfer infectious disease between farms. Cleaning and disinfecting equipment thoroughly before it comes into contact with your own flock is an often-overlooked but essential part of biosecurity.
Buying a tup is an important investment in the future of your flock. With careful planning, good biosecurity and advice from your veterinary practice, you can minimise the risk of introducing disease while giving your new purchase the best chance to perform. A little preparation before breeding season can protect flock health, improve productivity and ultimately benefit the profitability of your business.