Footrot treatment addressed in video for South Australian graziers

PIRSA animal health field operations and footrot program manager Chris Van Dissel said footrot remained a significant economic issue for the South Australian sheep industry, and the video could help producers understand management of the disease.

"Footrot can be a major welfare issue, so it is a problem we need to manage and control as a state," he said.

"This video will assist producers and livestock agents in managing footrot and understanding how to monitor their flocks so they can recognise the first signs of lameness and report it immediately."

Mr Van Dissel said early detection and diagnosis are crucial when managing a footrot outbreak.

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"This video provides steps to help manage footrot quickly and effectively to reduce the spread and impact on production," he said.

"It also highlights when a producer should suspect footrot and when to call in the local vet or an animal health adviser for support."

Livestock SA President Joe Keynes said the launch of the footrot video was timely as recent reports have indicated footrot is becoming a big challenge for many producers across the state.

"Livestock SA understands footrot is a big issue for the South Australian sheep industry," he said.

"We are proud to help produce this informative, go-to resource which will help producers to diagnose and manage the disease."

The Managing Footrot in SA video was made possible through the Footrot Management Program, delivered by PIRSA and funded by the South Australian Sheep Industry Fund, and the South Australian Livestock Biosecurity Extension Project, itself funded by Livestock SA, the South Australian Government's Red Meat and Wool Growth Program, and Animal Health Australia through the National Sheep Industry Biosecurity Strategy 2019-2024.

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