For the most part, if the spread and severity of footrot was restricted during spring, it will increase the likelihood of success of your eradication program.

Initially, once the pasture has dried off in summer, all sheep must be tipped-up and individually examined, foot by foot, paring sufficiently to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

The success of your footrot eradication program is largely determined by this activity.

During this examination, sort sheep into clean and infected/suspect mobs.

If infected sheep are retained they require paring, enough to expose all pockets of infection, and treatment. This isn’t necessary if infected sheep are to be culled for slaughter.

The clean mob can then be released into a clean paddock, which is one that has not had sheep in for the previous seven days.

Every sheep in the clean mob must be examined again three to six weeks later, and again until two consecutive clean inspections are achieved.

If the infected mob was retained, inspect all feet after four weeks. Any sheep not cured should be culled immediately. Repeat treatment and examinations until two clean inspections are achieved. The infected mob now becomes the cured mob.

From there, keep the clean and cured mobs separated and isolated until after the next spring.

Keep sheep under close surveillance for signs of lameness; any lameness must be checked to determine the cause. If footrot is detected, the program will need to be repeated.

Sheep handlers, pneumatic shears or contractors could make this difficult job a little bit easier. Expert advice on diagnosis, treatment and program design to eradicate footrot is available from your local veterinarian.