According to the preliminary findings of a study by the Icelandic Sheep Farmers Association and the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority unexplained sheep deaths have skyrocketed this year. Some farmers have lost up to 30% of their flocks. The deaths remain a mystery as no obvious explanation has presented itself.
Farmers hid the problem, fearful of being stigmatized
Early this year some farmers started to notice that their sheep were not adding weight, showing signs of being malnourished, despite being fed copious amounts of high quality feed. Shortly thereafter sheep started to die. However, the problem remained hidden as farmers kept quiet about their sheep dying, fearful of the stigma which is attached to farmers who fail to feed their sheep properly.
This spring however, the problem came to light as a large number ewes died of exhaustion after lambing. It is only now, however, that the true scope of the problem is coming to light, as the authorities have launched an investigation to uncover the causes of the mysterious deaths.
Shocking figures
The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service reports that some farmers have lost 20-30% of their flocks, as both ewes and lambs have died in large numbers. In a normal year farmers would not expect to lose more than 1-2% of sheep.
According to the early results of the study the deaths of sheep this year are 175% greater than two years ago. The figures are based on data from 223 farmers, and it is believed the figures might rise as more data is collected. In an announcement from the Icelandic Sheep Farmers Association “these figures “are striking and demonstrate how serious the situation is”.
The causes are still a complete mystery
According to the announcement of the Sheep Farmers Association the causes of the mass deaths, which have been most severe in Northern and Western Iceland, are still a mystery. The sheep which have died have all shown signs of malnourishment, despite being fed high quality feed.
Some have speculated that the cause of the deaths might be poisonous volcanic fumes from the Holuhraun eruption.
According to the preliminary findings of a study by the Icelandic Sheep Farmers Association and the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority unexplained sheep deaths have skyrocketed this year. Some farmers have lost up to 30% of their flocks. The deaths remain a mystery as no obvious explanation has presented itself.
Farmers hid the problem, fearful of being stigmatized
Early this year some farmers started to notice that their sheep were not adding weight, showing signs of being malnourished, despite being fed copious amounts of high quality feed. Shortly thereafter sheep started to die. However, the problem remained hidden as farmers kept quiet about their sheep dying, fearful of the stigma which is attached to farmers who fail to feed their sheep properly.
This spring however, the problem came to light as a large number ewes died of exhaustion after lambing. It is only now, however, that the true scope of the problem is coming to light, as the authorities have launched an investigation to uncover the causes of the mysterious deaths.
Shocking figures
The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service reports that some farmers have lost 20-30% of their flocks, as both ewes and lambs have died in large numbers. In a normal year farmers would not expect to lose more than 1-2% of sheep.
According to the early results of the study the deaths of sheep this year are 175% greater than two years ago. The figures are based on data from 223 farmers, and it is believed the figures might rise as more data is collected. In an announcement from the Icelandic Sheep Farmers Association “these figures “are striking and demonstrate how serious the situation is”.
The causes are still a complete mystery
According to the announcement of the Sheep Farmers Association the causes of the mass deaths, which have been most severe in Northern and Western Iceland, are still a mystery. The sheep which have died have all shown signs of malnourishment, despite being fed high quality feed.
Some have speculated that the cause of the deaths might be poisonous volcanic fumes from the Holuhraun eruption.
