Shipboard mortality in sheep exported live from Western Australia to Singapore and the Middle East in 1988 -analysis of Masters' reports
1989
Norris, R.T. | Higgs, A.R. (Western Australian Dept. of Agriculture, Perth. Div. of Animal Health)
Masters' reports for 77 shipments loaded at Fremantle in 1988 were examined to provide descriptive and statistical information on mortality of sheep exported to Singapore and the Middle East. Death rates were 0.03 percent during loading, 1.35 percent during the voyage to first port, 1.40 percent during the voyage to last port, and 0.37 percent during discharge giving an overall rate of 1.88 percent. A total of 2.31 million sheep were exported live from Fremantle in 1988. Examination of masters' reports was valuable again in defining some of the problems of the industry and identifying areas for further investigation. Closer investigation of the design and management of these ships is recommended to assist in identifying factors that contribute to mortality in the sheep. Broadspectrum antibiotics worth an estimated 109,000 Australian dollars were used aboard ship and were obviously ineffective in preventing mortality in some voyages and of dubious value in others. Recommendations to minimize or phase out the use of antibiotics were made.
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