The cost of Border disease infection in a commercial flock

The performance of a flock of 203 crossbred ewes on a lowland farm was examined. Before lambing the ewes were run in two groups (A and B). Group A (124 ewes) produced significantly fewer marketable lambs as a consequence of neonatal and later losses. The associated clinical features were consistent with Border disease infection and the presence of the virus was demonstrated. These features were not evident in the progeny of group B (79 ewes). The market sale returns of both groups of sheep were compared and the flock performance was contrasted with that of the two previous years. The outbreak of Border disease resulted in a potential reduction of income in excess of 20 per cent. Such a loss supports the necessity for an effective control strategy for Border disease.