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Foot-and-mouth disease
Did you know that sheep producers can gain access to detailed feedback on the health status of their flock? This includes identifying conditions that may not yet be visible on-farm.
The National Sheep Health Monitoring Project (NSHMP) monitors sheep at participating abattoirs across Australia for health conditions that reduce farm profitability. The project was established in 2007 by Animal Health Australia, with support from industry bodies WoolProducers Australia and Sheep Producers Australia.
At nine abattoirs nationally, certified meat inspectors are trained to accurately assess sheep carcasses for the following conditions.
Many of these conditions show minimal or no signs on-farm yet still reduce productivity throughout the value chain. For example, bladder worm and sheep measles have little to no impact on sheep health but can lead to trimming or condemnation of carcasses and offal at the abattoir.
The NSHMP strengthens two-way communication between farms and abattoirs, giving producers clearer insight into what’s affecting their margins, even when sheep appear healthy. This supports better on‑farm decision-making, and helps reduce wastage, improve productivity, and maximise profitability.
Producers can access their flock health data through Meat and Livestock Australia’s (MLA) myFeedback portal. myFeedback aims to reduce industry losses by presenting carcass and animal health information in a user-friendly format, with resources to support the prevention and management of detected conditions.
This supports:
The NSHMP annual report is a valuable tool for sheep producers to learn about emerging health trends in their region. In 2024-25, the project analysed data from 9.8 million sheep, identifying disease patterns at the national, state and local levels.
The most common conditions recorded were bladder worm and nephritis, accounting for 2.8% and 2.3% of inspected sheep, respectively. Bladder worm has remained the top condition over the last three years. Nephritis, while historically less common, has significantly increased over the past year in inspected sheep.
Percentage of sheep affected by bladder worm in each LGA in 2024-25.
The report also breaks down the top five conditions in each state, helping producers understand what to look out for and supporting proactive on‑farm management. Condition prevalence is mapped at the local government area (LGA) level, allowing producers to compare their own flock health data against broader trends in their area.
Percentage of sheep affected by bladder worm in each LGA in 2024-25
View the 2024-25 NSHMP annual report to explore how sheep health conditions are tracking in your region.
If you’re a sheep producer, you can get involved in the NSHMP and start receiving valuable insights into your flock’s health.
To get started:
For more information on the NSHMP, visit National Sheep Health Monitoring Project.
