Watch Out For Epididymitis

This sexually transmitted disease could be the reason your lamb crop is smaller than expected. Roelof Bezuidenhout offers advice on prevention.

- Roelof Bezuidenhout

Epididymitis, sometimes called ram’s disease, is a contagious sexually transmitted disease in sheep caused by the Brucella ovis bacterium. It leads to inflammation of the testicles in rams, and infertility.

While most bulls are tested for fertility and sexually transmitted diseases, relatively few rams are tested for epididymitis, possibly because sheep farmers are less concerned about lower fertility in their flocks (and losing money) than cattle farmers are.

But considering that a ram can mate with more than 30 ewes, the cost (about R250 a test) is well worth it.

Moreover, the disease is increasing in certain areas, as not all young rams are vaccinated.

PATTERN OF INFECTION