Red tinged wool in ewes - What is the cause?

Farmer_3650

Hi all,

A number of my ewes have a red tinge in their wool and I am thinking it may potentially be a deficiency, I blood tested ewes last year and no deficiencies were identified maybe it is worth doing them again? Does anyone have any ideas what it may be? It tends to be more prevalent in some of the thinner ewes in the flock. I have often seen this in the odd ewe in the past but never to the extent I am seeing this year.

Thanks.

White Clover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058315201/red-tinged-wool-in-ewes-what-is-the-cause

I have 3 or 4 like that too. Not sure what is causing it.

Oscar_Madison

Fleece rot due to prolonged wet conditions?

Jonnyc135

I'm the same maybe 5 or 6 of them with a redish orangy tinge on the wool, funnily enough its only the real tight fine wool sheep that have it any of the mules, suffolk x and horned sheep are perfect.

I think Oscar could be bang on with the fleece rot there, never seen it before here though

wrangler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121151478#Comment_121151478

I think that clik probably causes it too ,

orm0nd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121151733#Comment_121151733

Yep

Clik causes it

White Clover

Sounds like it’s Clik is the cause, I have seen it other years too but from memory they were very wet too.

roosky

Ya seeing it here too as described any thin Suffolk tight wooled ewe has a dirty orange/red tinge to her wool, was thinking of dipping but doesn’t suit for a number of reasons so great to see I’m not the only one suffering from the wet year.

farawaygrass

We dipped this year and I was asking the dipper about it because it’s noticeable worse here this year. He put it down to all the rain too and said it’s a lot worse this year

Never used clik here but I've seen redish wool in the odd ones missed at shearing. I figure it's rain related 🤷‍♂️