Levels of liver fluke in the UK have been relatively low in recent years. However, after a wet and mild summer and autumn in many areas, forecasts are predicting that 24/25 will buck the trend, resulting in a high liver fluke challenge for some areas. The temptation for many farmers will be to react to … Continued
A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Dundee in collaboration with Moredun Scientific has revealed a potential breakthrough in the treatment of Cryptosporidiosis in calves. This parasitic infection, caused by Cryptosporidium parvum, is a significant concern for farmers, particularly as it leads to severe diarrhoea in young livestock and can result in … Continued
Daniel Scovenna of Torch Vets offers a case to illustrate using the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway visit as an opportunity to work with a farmer to establish a parasite control and monitoring programme in a suckler herd. It outlines the discussions and tests undertaken, the interpretation of the results and actions taken, including implementing … Continued
Parasitologists at Moredun have released a new, enhanced version of ‘FEC Check’ for interpreting faecal egg counts (FEC) from cattle. The farmer-facing, free, online tool helps with the interpretation of faecal egg count results for roundworms and provides lots of information on testing and the use of wormers (anthelmintics). Parasitologists at Moredun have further developed … Continued
Concerns have been raised about lack of efficacy or suspected resistance to anthelmintic products authorised for use in cattle and sheep but at the same time there are not large numbers of suspected lack of expected efficacy (SLEE) reports received from the livestock sector. There may be many reasons why this is the case, but … Continued
Farmers and the industry must remain Aware, apply Caution and use evidence-based Tactics to ACT and mitigate against the latest strain BTV-3. Following a technical AHDB meeting with the support of Ruminant Health & Welfare, Lesley Stubbings, sheep consultant and SCOPS adviser (Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep) says: “The fact is, a single bite … Continued
The Control of Worms Sustainably (COWS) group has launched a survey for vets to find out more about lungworm and its treatment across the UK. Through the survey, COWS hopes to learn more about when outbreaks of lungworm are occurring, what class of stock is most affected, what clinical signs are seen and how well … Continued
Reducing potential harmful effects on the environment before applying wormer treatments to cattle is at the centre of livestock Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Research carried out in the USA by Dr Bryony Sands puts some meaningful data behind IPM principles. Many classes of veterinary pesticides have negative environmental impacts on beneficial pasture insects, in particular … Continued
COWS and SCOPS liver fluke experts met recently and agreed that as predicted, the strange weather patterns of 2023 have had a significant impact on the level and timing of the risk of liver fluke disease across the UK. This was initiated by the dry cold spring, hot early summer, and extremely wet July and … Continued
Livestock farmers would traditionally be expecting to go into peak liver fluke season at this time of year – but experts in the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainable (COWS) groups say 2023 has been a very strange year in terms of weather patterns. Speaking on behalf of … Continued