The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Land Management => Topic started by: JMB on May 02, 2013, 08:45:03 pm
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Hi. Sorry if this is a stupid question.
We have a problem with fluke up here.
Someone told me their dad, who was a farmer, used to put copper sulphate on their land to kill snails and contain fluke.
I assume this is now banned?
Or do people still use it?
And what about copper toxicity in sheep?
I'm intrigued....
Any information would be great
Thank you
J xxxx
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Im pretty sure it is perfectly legal, although its use might be controlled due to rules designed to prevent pollution of watercourses etc. certainly it is the main constituent of bordeaux mixtures, much loved by organic farmers as its one of the few things they are allowed to use.
Animals could be poisoned but I think the use on land is 1;100 (dont quote me) so it would likely need to be a cumulative exposure. Using on resting land might be the best option(aside from improving drainage which would be a more permanent solution albeit an expensive one!)
Some breeds of sheep are more prone to copper poisoning than others eg texels are and some other euro breeds and north ronaldsay especially
Not sure where you are in UK, up here I would be checking out Scottish agricultural college and vets re best approach to take and SEPA re watercourses
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Hi. We are in central Scotland so I'll follow up your ideas for contacts and information.
We have mostly hebridean sheep.
Thanks very much for your help
J xxx
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Pat Coleby who wrote "Natural Sheep Care" recommends it in a home made lick that includes dolomite, kelp and sulphur.