[waterbuffalofarmer]

ThIs Is a question I could probably google, but wanted to ask on here instead. How do you scrapie monitor your sheep and mccredit them? Is it a blood test for mv? And if so how many times a year? Also to scrapie test a sheep do you have to sacrifice one of your nice sheep for scientific purposes, ie so they can examine the spine? would be glad to know what you all think.
Cheers

[Tim W]

http://www.sruc.ac.uk/info/120113/premium_sheep_and_goat_health_schemes

As above both schemes run by SRUC

Is it worth it? Questionable?
You spend a decent amount of cash on MV testing and get certified 'free' of 1 of the nasty iceberg diseases , I prefer to spend my money by testing a smaller but targeted proportion of the flock for more diseases (OJD, CLA ) some of the tests have limited sensitivity so you need to balance things up in your own mind

We were members of both schemes at one time but it didn't lead to any more sales ---it does make export a bit easier though and in some pedigree circles not being MV can be limiting

Scrapie monitoring---think they just tested a cull animal occasionally but it is a 3 (I think) year lead in time before acceptance)

Read the rules in the link for details

[mowhaugh]

We scrapie monitored for a few years (basically pushed into it as noone would buy tups that weren't monitored for a few years), it was just blood samples.

[Me]

We went MV as you couldn't sell Charmoise at Society sales without it - and now the other breeders have decided to come out of MV apparently so sales will soon be non-MV! If you want an MV Charmoise for your MV accredited Beltex, Texel etc first time lambers - PM me!!