MSD Ruminants GB

The 2026 FlockCheck results are in… and they don’t make for great reading.

The scheme has revealed high levels of exposure to the two main infectious causes of sheep abortion on British farms.

If you’re a sheep farmer, swipe our slides for vital information.

Combat sheep abortion with our landmark webinar.

MSD Animal Health and Farmers Guardian have teamed up to present a webinar on reducing the risk of sheep abortion.

Why Abortion Prevention Starts Before Tupping is free to join and takes place at 7pm on Tuesday, 25 August.

Hear from expert speakers Jane Lindop (Wales Veterinary Science Centre) and Sara Robson (Regional Veterinary Adviser, MSD Animal Health) on topics including:
- Key findings from the 2026 Flock Check results
- The impact of abortion on flock productivity and profitability
- Practical steps to help manage the risks of toxoplasmosis and enzootic abortion

To reserve your place, click here https://incisivemedia.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__d9GIQU2T3iHUrTCMWA7dw?_x_zm_rtaid=BzB75EBSSkuOU4aXkOQ7zQ.1786551174521.8c2857e5dd4ab25b109895012dbbc631&_x_zm_rhtaid=767 #/registration

‘Vaccinate against pasteurellosis’, farmers urged.

Reported incidents of pasteurellosis have increased more than four-fold in the past five years, rising from 34 cases in 2021 to 120 cases last year [1].

At the same time, vaccine uptake among sheep farmers has fallen from 52% in 2022 to 40% in 2024 [2], despite the condition being one of the most common causes of mortality in sheep of all ages.

Dr Kat Baxter-Smith, MSD Animal Health Veterinary Advisor, described it as a ‘devastating condition’ and is urging farmers to vaccinate.

“Vaccination remains the most effective tool available to prevent losses from pasteurellosis,” she said.

“Given the rising number of cases and the significant economic impact the disease can have on sheep enterprises, farmers should work closely with their vet to ensure appropriate protection is in place before periods of increased risk.”

For more information and advice on protecting your flock, speak to your vet.



1. Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). 𝘎𝘉 𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘥. Available at: https://lnkd.in/enDR_X9H (accessed September 2026).
2. Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). 𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘱. Available at: https://lnkd.in/eF4CftZm (accessed September 2026).

Calving from 7 December?

Start vaccinating against scour on 19 October.

𝘊𝘳𝘺𝘱𝘵𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘶𝘮 is one of the most common causes of calf scour [1].

But there is a vaccine.

Bovilis Cryptium® and Bovilis® Rotavec® Corona help protect calves against the four most common scour pathogens – Rotavirus, Coronavirus, 𝘌. 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘪, and 𝘊𝘳𝘺𝘱𝘵𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘶𝘮 [2].

If your start date for calving is 7 December, your first dose is due on 19 October – so the time to take action is now.

Speak to your vet about your vaccination protocols and timings to help protect the next generation of your herd.



1. AHDB.
2. Burger, B. et al. (2024) Cost assessment of cryptosporidiosis in dairy cattle.
Wageningen University & Research, Department of Business Economics; MSD Animal Health.
This information was brought to you by MSD Animal Health makers of Bovilis Cryptium® and Bovilis® Rotavec® Corona.
Bovilis Cryptium® contains 𝘊𝘳𝘺𝘱𝘵𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘶𝘮 Gp40. 𝗣𝗢𝗠-𝗩.
Bovilis® Rotavec® Corona contains inactivated rotavirus, coronavirus and 𝘌. 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘪 strain CN7985 serotype O101:K99:F41 𝗣𝗢𝗠-𝗩𝗣𝗦.
Further information is available from the SPC, datasheet or package leaflets. MSD Animal Health UK Limited. Registered office Walton Manor, Walton, Milton Keynes MK7 7AJ, UK. Registered in England & Wales no. 946942. Advice should be sought from the medicine prescriber.
Prescription decisions are for the person issuing the prescription alone.
𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝘆.
© 2026 MSD Animal Health UK Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Breathe easy…

With MSD Animal Health’s subsidised BRD screening service.

Run through GB vet practices, our screening service helps you identify exposure to key respiratory pathogens in your herd and formulate a farm-specific prevention plan.

But why does it matter?

Because calves with lung lesions as small as just 1-2cm can have average daily gains 96–138g lower than calves without lesions [1].

Also, BRD affects around 11–16% of calves, and subclinical disease – where lung damage occurs without obvious signs – may affect 23–67% [2], meaning your herd could be affected.

So, ask your vet about our subsidised screening service so you, and your calves, can breathe easy!



1. Tejero, C. & Bach, A. (2016). The hidden cost of a hidden disease: growth performance of calves as affected by bovine respiratory disease diagnosed using ultrasonography. 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 94(5).

2. Ollivett, T.L. & Buczinski, S. (2016). On-Farm Use of Ultrasonography for Bovine Respiratory Disease. 𝘝𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢: 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘈𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦, 32(1), 19–35.

Word search time!

Earlier this month, we looked at the Five Qs of colostrum management.

But can you remember what they are? Test your skills and see if you can find them in our word search.

It’s just for fun but put your answers in the comments if you want to!

Missed our September BRD webinars?

Don’t worry, this month’s Learning Hub is all about how to avoid BRD on your farm.
Swipe our slides.