I am trying to get my flock of around 30 ewes tested again. I did test many years ago (all negative) for several years, so closed the ewe flock. As long as the ewe is producing twin or better lambs, she stays on the farm. Got several ewes down in condition lately and checked their teeth. Missing all the front ones but are 13 years old. Only possible sign of MV is udder issues which I put down to cold conditions and aggressive lambs. They are not confined but use shelters at night or bad weather. So problem I have run into is the vets around here NW of Edmonton, don't seem much interested in doing the testing. Of course calving is probably keeping them busy now as well. Do we have testing facilities in Alberta? Do I have to get a vet to do it?
I tried to get some more information for you. There is a detailed document on how to do blood testing on the OPP Society website, seems producers there can do it themselves. I know that a Manitoba producer was sending their samples to the USA as it was more cost-effective. Seems to be a widespread issue of western Canadian vets not being involved in testing. Maybe reach out to OC Flock Management, they're in Alberta and might have more contacts.
Thanks for the article. We are fighting to eliminate MV from our flock. Emotionally and financially it is draining. But I keep hoping for good news on the next blood test.
Thanks for reading! Right there with you, it's awful. I just keep hoping we get to the other side and it's better. That old country song along the lines of if you're going through hell, don't stop.
I am trying to get my flock of around 30 ewes tested again. I did test many years ago (all negative) for several years, so closed the ewe flock. As long as the ewe is producing twin or better lambs, she stays on the farm. Got several ewes down in condition lately and checked their teeth. Missing all the front ones but are 13 years old. Only possible sign of MV is udder issues which I put down to cold conditions and aggressive lambs. They are not confined but use shelters at night or bad weather. So problem I have run into is the vets around here NW of Edmonton, don't seem much interested in doing the testing. Of course calving is probably keeping them busy now as well. Do we have testing facilities in Alberta? Do I have to get a vet to do it?
I tried to get some more information for you. There is a detailed document on how to do blood testing on the OPP Society website, seems producers there can do it themselves. I know that a Manitoba producer was sending their samples to the USA as it was more cost-effective. Seems to be a widespread issue of western Canadian vets not being involved in testing. Maybe reach out to OC Flock Management, they're in Alberta and might have more contacts.
Yes I will ask Dr Lyn Tait. We know each other well from over the years. She is about 3 hours drive from me.
Thanks for the article. We are fighting to eliminate MV from our flock. Emotionally and financially it is draining. But I keep hoping for good news on the next blood test.
Thanks for reading! Right there with you, it's awful. I just keep hoping we get to the other side and it's better. That old country song along the lines of if you're going through hell, don't stop.