Confining sheep movement to cooler hours in summer recommended to avoid humpy back

Sally Gall
Updated March 13 2017 - 3:34pm, first published 12:21am
Questions remain over why male sheep seem to be more susceptible than ewes to humpy back, with hormones and muscle mass both suggested as possible reasons for susceptibility to temperature-related issues.
Questions remain over why male sheep seem to be more susceptible than ewes to humpy back, with hormones and muscle mass both suggested as possible reasons for susceptibility to temperature-related issues.

The humble potato bush, or wild tomato, has often been suspected as the culprit causing humpy back in sheep, a syndrome that affects full-woolled sheep in summer, especially as the plant is generally found six to 10 weeks after good rain.

Sally Gall

Sally Gall

Senior journalist - Queensland Country Life/North Queensland Register

Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.

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