News

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