Livestock STDs under the lens

The economic impact on sexual- or reproductive diseases among cattle and sheep flocks is becoming increasingly important due to the influence it has on reproduction. The appearance of sexual/reproductive diseases leads to low calf- and lamb numbers and a subsequent loss of income. The Meat Board of Namibia together with agricultural unions, launched an awareness campaign to make producers more aware of sexually transmitted or venereal diseases in livestock. Paul Strydom, CEO at the Meat Board, said that Namibia is losing its competitiveness against major lamb and beef exporting countries. According to him producers find it increasingly difficult, due to various reasons, to reach profitability on farm level. “One factor to improve profitability on herd level is to improve calving and lambing rates to increase production. If herd calving (85%-90%) and lambing performances (100%-120%) are below industry norms, the reasons should be thoroughly investigated.One reason could be the presence of reproductive diseases such as Trichomoniasis and Vibriosis in cattle and Brucella ovis in sheep. Besides the lack of pregnancy, low pregnancy and abortion, which should be above 3-5%, it is otherwise difficult to observe these diseases in herds. The impact of venereal disease of livestock has been a discussion point at various congresses of the Namibia Agricultural Union and research done on cattle in certain regions of Namibia showed that these diseases appeared in more than 15% of herds tested.Veterinarians in the south also reported high incidences of Brucella ovis in sheep herds. It is thus strongly recommended that producers annually test their bulls and rams for these diseases. The Meat Board, together with agricultural unions, sponsored the drafting, design and printing of pamphlets and brochures to make producers aware of the economic impact of diseases on farming and business. STAFF REPORTER

Livestock STDs under the lens

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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Livestock STDs under the lens

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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