Kat Baxter-Smith, MSD Animal Health
Webinar Urges Action As Sheep Abortion Diagnoses Rise 45% Ahead Of Tupping
3 weeks ago 
275 views
Sheep farmers are being urged to act early this summer to protect next season’s lamb crop, with new data highlighting the ongoing burden of infectious abortion diseases in UK flocks.
Latest Government GB sheep disease surveillance data shows enzootic abortion cases diagnosed through laboratories have increased by almost 45% from 2025 to 20261, highlighting the ongoing challenge facing producers as they prepare for the next breeding season.
To support farmers, MSD Animal Health is running a free webinar on 25 August at 7pm, focused on abortion prevention, disease control and practical flock management ahead of tupping.
The session will bring together veterinary experts to discuss what is currently being seen in UK sheep flocks and how producers can reduce risk before breeding begins.
Speakers include Jane Lindop BVM&S CertEP MRCVS, Veterinary Disease Investigator at the Wales Veterinary Science Centre (WVSC), who will outline key findings from abortion investigations and explain what laboratory diagnosis is revealing about disease patterns across flocks.
She will be joined by Sara Robson, Regional Veterinary Adviser at MSD Animal Health, who will discuss the main challenges associated with abortion in sheep, review the latest 2026 FlockCheck findings and translate surveillance data into practical, on-farm actions producers can take now.
Sara Robson said: “The 2026 lambing season may already feel like it’s at the back of producers’ minds, and 2027 can seem a long way off, but leaving planning until then can be costly. It’s important to take time now to review last season’s data, and if lamb losses were over 2%, to speak with your vet about potential causes and the actions that can be taken to help pinpoint issues and prevent them recurring next year.
“Enzootic abortion and toxoplasmosis are the main causes of sheep abortion and are largely preventable, but only if action is taken early. That means understanding your flock’s risk, putting the right vaccination strategy in place where appropriate, and tightening up management and biosecurity before breeding starts.”
Abortion can have a significant impact on flock productivity and profitability, yet many losses go unrecorded or are only fully understood once lambing losses occur. Experts say early planning is essential to reduce risk and improve flock performance.
The webinar is aimed at sheep farmers, flock managers, veterinary professionals and advisers, and is free to attend. To register, visit https://incisivemedia.zoom.us/j/82798583314?pwd=8qHv1ogKXSiGNntLMMH6mXJk5KbGR5.1.
References
- GB Sheep Surveillance Dashboard data from Enzootic Abortion and Toxoplasmosis 2025-2025
More from MSD Animal Health
- MSD Animal Health launches veterinary-led roadshow across the UK to encourage tailored parasite protection
- Study from MSD Animal Health Reveals Opportunity to Increase Feline Vaccination through Knowledge Sharing Between Veterinarians and Cat Owners
- High Cryptosporidiosis Burden in Calves Drives 143% Rise in Antibiotic Treatment Use
- Sheep Abortion Rates at Highest Level Since 2020 as Vets Urge Vaccination Action
- Five Point Plan Cuts Sheep Lameness by Over Two-Thirds, New Data Shows
4 days ago