Quarantine may need to be adopted if sheep are agisted or travel along roads where exposure to other sheep is possible. Quarantine if stray sheep are mixed with your own sheep.
Footrot
The footrot bacterium Dichelobacter nodosus survives off sheep for up to 7 days. Keep newly introduced sheep in quarantine and ensure resident sheep do not walk across the same ground for at least 7 days. At least 3 months of lush pasture growth is necessary to allow expression of footrot.
Release new sheep from quarantine only after their feet are closely inspected. Seek advice if you have no experience of footrot. Note that in drought conditions, quarantine should extend until the next lush pasture growth period. Some evidence indicates that cattle may act as carriers of footrot for short periods in wet conditions. Quarantine new cattle for at least a few weeks if you are not sure of their previous exposure to sheep.
Ovine Johnes disease (OJD)
Given the very slow nature of OJD development, no quarantine will guarantee freedom. Use other strategies, such as buying low-risk sheep.
Drench resistance
Drench resistance to all anthelmintic groups is widespread. Drench all new sheep on arrival with at least a triple combination drench, preferably a potent macrocyclic lactone such as moxidectin or abamectin and a white (benzimidazole) and clear (levamisole) combination. Also consider using closantel in regions with barbers pole. Drench test all new sheep 10 days post drenching to ensure the drench is effective.
Liver fluke
Drench all new sheep with triclabendazole on arrival if they come from a liver fluke area, unless you are certain of fluke status. Check fluke egg counts 8 weeks later to ensure the drench is effective as some fluke drench resistance is emerging.
Lice
Over 30% of flocks have lice, so the risk of buying lice with sheep of uncertain origin is high. It may take up to 18 months for low levels of lice to become evident. Consider using a highly effective dip after their first shearing (or do a thorough examination of new sheep or use the soon to be released lice detection test, to decide if eradication is necessary after shearing) and avoid cross contamination with sheep already on the property. In some circumstances, lice can survive off sheep for up to 21 days (normally less), so always put new sheep through handling facilities last, including at shearing.
