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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 48(7)

Mild congenital goitre increases lamb mortality in southern New South Wales

S. M. Robertson A B C , M. A. Friend A B and B. J. King A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industries), Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.

B Cooperative Research Centre for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: surobertson@csu.edu.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(7) 995-998 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA08005
Submitted: 4 January 2008  Accepted: 30 March 2008   Published: 20 June 2008

Abstract

Congenital goitre, symptomatic of iodine deficiency, can be associated with elevated levels of lamb mortality. This study details an outbreak east of Wagga Wagga in southern NSW, where goitre has previously not been documented. Measurements were taken on flocks at two sites near Ladysmith. Up to 82% of dead lambs had thyroid : weight ratios of more than 0.4 g/kg bodyweight, potentially large enough to affect survival. Up to 16% of lambs surviving to marking had enlarged thyroids (i.e. estimated by palpation). Lambs with enlarged thyroids may be more prone to dystocia, with ewes requiring assistance at delivery. Sex and birthweight were not related to thyroid size, but of lambs surviving to marking, a greater proportion of Merino than crossbred lambs had enlarged thyroids. At the second site, growth rate from birth to marking but not to weaning was reduced in lambs with higher thyroid scores. The high incidence of goitre in these flocks suggests that iodine deficiency may be an important factor in lamb mortality in some years in this region, but is unlikely to be detected due to the relatively small degree of thyroid enlargement.

Additional keyword: mineral deficiency.


Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Helen McGregor for technical advice and John Broster for technical assistance. This work was funded by EverGraze, a CRC Future Farm Industries, Meat and Livestock Australia and Australian Wool Innovation research and delivery partnership.


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