News

The inclusion of rumen fluke figures in faecal egg count sample results is not necessarily a cause for concern, according to experts in the Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainably (COWS) and Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) groups. COWS and SCOPS has been working hard to encourage livestock producers to use faecal egg counts (FECs) … Continued

Although, as forecast, cases of disease due to liver fluke have remained relatively low so far this winter, there are reports of both acute and chronic disease in some areas of the UK. This means livestock farmers must not drop their guard, warn experts in the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control … Continued

Routine testing of cattle dung for roundworm eggs throughout the summer has led to less use of wormers, reducing cost and the stress and effort of rounding up first season grazers, on three cattle farms near Preston in the North West of England. All three farmers, clients of vet Rob Howe of LLM Farm Vets … Continued

The level of liver fluke is forecast to be relatively low for much of the UK, but the risk to grazing livestock on individual farms is becoming less predictable. That is the warning from experts in the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainably (COWS) groups, who say diagnostic … Continued

A new practical guide on how to control liver fluke on beef and sheep farms has been published. Compiled by leading liver fluke experts, independent sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings, Dr Philp Skuce of the Moredun Research Institute and COWS member Professor Diana Williams of the University of Liverpool, the booklet has been written and produced … Continued

Cattle worming experts are urging farmers to test animals before giving anthelmintics at or around housing this year, to check if they are really needed. Unnecessary blanket treatments are a waste of farmers’ time, effort and money and can encourage anthelmintic resistance, meaning products may not work in future. Traditionally first season grazing dairy calves … Continued