As straw is commanding high temperatures, pine shavings are popular with sheep farmers as an effective alternative and it is proven to help prevent health problems.

Tim Smalley, managing director of Bedmax said: “We need to address the challenges that are prevalent at lambing time. The E. coli bacteria and E. Faecium are the most widespread and serious health threats. Both thrive in the warmth and moisture of manure and urine in bedding, so this is an area that needs to be seriously considered. Pine contains natural defense mechanisms that eliminate not only these dominant bacteria, but also a wide range of other harmful bacteria and fungal spores, making it an incredible material for animal bedding.”

Vet and sheep farmer David Miskelly, said: “As part of the continued drive to encourage responsible use of antibiotics by sheep farmers and, in particular, the blanket treatment of lambs for watery mouth, we trialled Stockmax shavings in our lambing pens this year and did not administer a single prophylactic watery mouth treatment to any of the lambs born as singles. We have been delighted with the results and Stockmax shavings have been a great hit as it delivers a dry, fresh, hygienic bed in the lambing pens, at a comparable cost to straw.”

Mr Smalley said: “The industry and the government are committed to reducing the use of antibiotics on farm.

“Reports from farms using Stockmax are showing a reduction or elimination of E.Coli infections, watery mouth and scour, a reduction in the loss of lambs, lower use of antibiotics, better hoof health and an overall improvement in the health and condition of ewes.

“The benefits are becoming commonly known, and more and more farmers are switching to pine shavings as a highly effective, completely natural, cost effective alternative to straw. It is also fully traceable, British made and very sustainable, making it a good environmental choice too."