Sheep health and biosecurity

Ovine Brucellosis (OB) is an infectious bacterial disease which causes infertility in infected rams, leading to low lambing percentages. As infected rams generally do not show any signs of ill health, OB is often overlooked and only becomes apparent when there is a reduction in lambing percentages, or a longer lambing period.

To ensure your property is free of OB, purchase all rams from an OB accredited flock.

Search for an OB accredited flock on the OB Database and narrow the search results by breed, property, owner, stud, nearest town or certificate number.

For more information regarding the OB accreditation scheme in your state, visit the relevant link below:

• NSW
• SA
• TAS
• VIC
• WA
• QLD (information on OB)

As a sheep farmer, the best way to protect yourself from biosecurity risks is to keep diseases, pests and weeds off your property.

Always insist on a properly completed National Sheep Health Declaration and National Vendor Declaration when purchasing or agisting stock, offering sheep for sale, and when mandated by interstate movement requirements.

The national sheep industry has taken a lead in defining its roles, responsibilities and strategic priorities in the Australian biosecurity system through developing the National Sheep Industry Biosecurity Strategy.

AHA together with the MLA Donor Company funded Joan Lloyd Consulting to investigate the cause of pneumonia in Australian sheep. More information is available here.

And the final report is available here.

Footrot is a significant disease issue for the Australian sheep industry. The University of Sydney has a lot of information available on the disease here.

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) also has information and guides available here.

AHA, together with AWI, is funding a project led by Murdoch University investigating the genetics of sheep feet health. This project will be completed in 2026.