Matthew and Pippa Smith have been farming sheep at Trefranck for several years, and currently run a flock of 800 ewes.

Disease caused by gastrointestinal roundworms costs UK sheep farmers an estimated £42m every year in wormer treatments and productivity losses.

To tackle the growing problem of roundworm resistance, Matthew and Pippa Smith, who farm a flock of 800 sheep at Trefranck Farm in Cornwall, have been working alongside CIEL (Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock), Moredun Research Institute, and Castle Veterinary Group on a Defra-funded project looking at breeding worm-tolerant sheep.

Passionate about efficient and sustainable grass-based farming systems, Mr Smith said the prospect of worm-tolerant sheep presents an exciting opportunity for farmers in the fight against parasitic nematodes.

“We’re grateful for the support from our partners in this farmer-led study, which provides hope for sheep farmers challenged by worm resistance,” he said.

To provide a platform for farmers and industry professionals to discuss the results of the pilot study, Matthew and Pippa Smith are hosting two events – an Industry Awareness Day on Tuesday May 16 from 4pm to 7pm and a Farmer Awareness Day on Wednesday May 17 from 10am to 2pm – on their farm in Launceston, Cornwall.

“There will be discussion stations with vets, farmers, researchers and practical demonstrations throughout the day and we’re really excited to see what others make of this potential solution and provide us with feedback,” Mr Smith added.

Dr Mark Young, head of innovation at CIEL, commented: “The pilot has identified an efficient system for identifying genetically superior, worm-tolerant sheep. The next step is to define a breeding strategy and to roll this out industry-wide as quickly as possible.

“Selective breeding for worm-tolerant animals could help lead to improved growth rates while reducing anthelmintic use and associated labour needs, leading to increased financial returns.”

Farmers who wish to attend the events must register before Monday 1^st May. For more details and to book free tickets, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/online/worm-tolerant-sheep/?page=1

The post Free events to explore worm-tolerant sheep breeding open to farmers appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Through multi-breed genetic analysis, the National Terminal Sire Evaluation helps ram breeders and commercial ram buyers to identify sheep with the best genetics for growth and carcase traits.

As part of the program, over 20 Estimated Breeding Value (EBVs) are analysed each month, using data from a range of sources including ultrasound scanning and Computed Tomography (CT) scanning, which have significantly enhanced carcase attributes over the last 30 years.

With the inclusion of abattoir records for analysis within the National Terminal Sire Evaluation, AHDB hopes to increase the impact of RamCompare by improving the overall accuracy of data.

RamCompare identifies top-performing rams in the UK by demonstrating the extent to which a lamb’s value at the abattoir is influenced by its sire’s genetics. During seven breeding seasons, the project has recorded over 38,500 lambs sired by 400 rams, using both artificial insemination (AI) and natural mating.

The addition of abattoir traits coincides with the launch of a new economic index, ‘Lamb Value’, which has been developed by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) to identify the most valuable terminal sires based on their breeding values for abattoir traits.

Lamb Value takes into account the value of increasing carcase weights and conformation at an optimum level of finish, but also factors in the savings made via reducing days to slaughter, an element that is often overlooked.

A publication explaining these developments will be available at the National Sheep Association (NSA) regional events, namely Sheep South West, North Sheep and Welsh Sheep.

AHDB board member and Meatlinc breeder George Fell commented: “The inclusion of abattoir data into the industry’s genetic evaluations will take our analyses to a new level of accuracy, providing better predictions of genetic merit for those traits on which commercial producers are paid.

“This is a major step that will increase the value returned to those levy payers investing in performance recorded genetics,” he added.

Meanwhile, AHDB’s breeding specialist Samuel Boon, also pleased by the developments, reminded breeders that RamCompare is not the only sources of abattoir data available.

“Many farmers already send in additional abattoir data to supplement the analysis, which now includes nearly 4,000 Poll Dorset and Dorset Horn carcase records. Interest in this area is increasing considerably and the RamCompare project demonstrates its value,” he added.

RamCompare releases year seven results in online webinar

Each year, RamCompare’s progeny test results are released as an industry webinar with stakeholders in attendance from across the breeding industry to keep abreast with new developments and find out the current year’s leading sires for carcase weight, conformation and days to slaughter.

During the online event, producers will not only learn which ranked highly within the project, but will also be able to view which breeding lines currently lead their breed of interest.

The 2023 webinar will take place on Thursday 11^th May and free tickets can be booked online on the AHDB website.

RamCompare is a joint-levy funded project supported by AHDB, Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). The project is also supported by Agrisearch in Northern Ireland and works with partners across the food chain.

For more information, please visit www.ramcompare.com

The post New breeding values for abattoir traits to improve ram selection appeared first on Farmers Guide.

The Animal Health & Welfare Pathway offers eligible livestock farmers in England a one-off £436 grant for a vet-led health and welfare review and a Worming Treatment Check.

While the vet review is intended to discuss issues most relevant to an individual flock, the Worming Treatment Check is designed specifically to determine the effectiveness of an anthelmintic treatment on a farm.

Mr Stubbings said although the funding does not cover testing directly for anthelmintic resistance, it provides a starting point in understanding which wormer groups are working effectively on the farm.

“By putting a little thought and preparatory work into when you carry out this test, you can make it a really useful start to understanding how to make the most of any worming treatments,” he advised.

The Worming Treatment Check includes two faecal egg count tests (FECs), one taken at the time of treatment and another at a set interval after treatment (seven or 14 days) to determine how effective the product has been at reducing worm burden in the sheep.

“Eligible farmers have six months from the point of registration to complete the Worming Treatment Check,” Mr Stubbings continued, “but the important thing to remember is that you should only carry it out on lambs that you know need to be treated because their worm burden is high enough.”

Therefore, he recommends carrying out a FEC before starting the process to ensure the timing is optimal. “You cannot check the effectiveness of a treatment at killing adult worms if there are not enough worms present in the first place,” he remarked.

Mr Stubbings recommends timing the Worming Treatment Check for June/July when there are lambs on the field with a FEC high enough to require treatment. “A minimum FEC of 250 eggs per gram is needed for the test to be worthwhile, so discuss with your vet or adviser doing some monitoring ahead of using the check,” he added.

Participating farmers will receive a sampling kit with instructions on how to take good samples, as well as packaging with pre-paid postage back to an accredited laboratory that must be listed on the Defra website. A report detailing the results will then be sent out to farmers and their vet.

“On the basis of the results, you can discuss product choices with your vet and/or adviser, look at how you can use ongoing FEC monitoring to improve worm control in your flock, and test other groups of wormers over time,” Mr Stubbings said.

Kevin Harrison, sheep farmer and SCOPS Steering Group chair, added: “I know from experience that it’s not as simple as thinking one test will give you a definite answer on anthelmintic resistance.

“It takes a series of these tests over different years and seasons to build a complete picture of the efficacy of wormers on a farm – so use this opportunity as a starting point and build on it.

“It is never too late to start when it comes to slowing the development of resistance, and using a fully effective treatment when lambs do need worming will pay dividends in terms of lamb performance,” he concluded.

The post Timing is key to making the most of Defra Pathway funding appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Taking place on Thursday 1st June 2023, the National Show will be hosted by the Royal Bath & West Show in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Association members will be high spirits in the sheep lines and the ring, with a catalogue of top quality competition and social engagement.

Tapping out the very best of the day will be the Association’s former president, Roger Elliott. He has five decades of sheep judging experience and 35 years of running pedigree Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset sheep on his home farm near Daventry. Supplying prime lambs to the local market and the family’s 130 year-old butchery, he understands the breed not only as a show animal, but as a valuable, commercial breed.

Broad, long and straight, with formidable muscle coverage, the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset are an adaptable and versatile breed, says Mr Elliott. “For many breeders, lambs will be produced and reared for meat, and that influences what I want to see. They need to be well turned out, and straight and square. I want to see easy fleshing – but not overfat – and they need to have something about them.”

The shearling classes are often an eye-catcher for Mr Elliot. “I like these classes because the stock have developed and grown – you’re seeing what they’ve grown into and their real potential.”

He also considers the breed’s place in today’s market. “They are very capable of milking and growing off of grass,” he says. “With the current cost of feed, reliance on concentrates makes for a very expensive operation – you want to be able to produce a fat lamb without, or with as little concentrate as possible.”

The breed society added the National Show to the calendar four years ago, to promote the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset as the incredibly versatile breed it is, says Association chair, Tim Pratt.

Running a vegetable farm with Dorset sheep in Suffolk, Mr Pratt compliments the breed on its traits – like all-year-round lambing – and its ability to fit within a multitude of farm systems, including integrated livestock on arable, horticultural, and regenerative operations.

“On our farm, for example, the sheep suit our rotation because we can lamb in the autumn and utilise the cover crops as grazing over the winter, and have lambs away before spring planting begins,” he says. “It brings costs down when you have a breed that can fit in with and utilise home-grown forage and cover crops – which farmers are increasingly pursuing with a focus on soil health.

“Additionally, there’s further benefit because funding for cover crops reduces the costs of rearing lambs. And, in the case of the Dorset Horn, a ‘native breeds at risk’ supplement is available through the Countryside Stewardship scheme.”

Mr Pratt is looking forward to seeing the cream of the crop at the Royal Bath & West Show. “It’s a very well renowned agricultural show; well-located, and it always has the very best quality livestock being exhibited,” he says. “Having our National Show there will really build on the credibility the Dorsets have, and I’m looking forward to seeing breeders from all across the country get together.”

Book tickets for the show here.

The post Dorset Horn and Poll Sheep Association’s National Show returns for 2023 appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Blowfly strike is a serious disease thought to affect over 80% of farms in the UK, resulting in major productivity losses. It is primarily caused by the green bottle fly (Lucilia sericata), which lays batches of around 200 eggs into decomposing matter. Carcasses, dirty backends, foot rot lesions and open wounds all have a high likelihood of attracting egg-laying flies.

The larvae emerging from the eggs will then feed on the sheep before migrating to the soil, causing serious welfare issues and even death. Therefore, preventative measures and prompt and effective treatment are vital to protecting the animals from harm and safeguarding farm productivity.

The majority of blowflies affecting sheep overwinter as maggots in the soil. When the weather warms up sufficiently, they pupate and eventually emerge as adult flies, which will soon feed and start to lay eggs.

Fly emergence typically begins in warmer southern areas and progressively moves to more northern and upland regions. At present, the relatively cold spring means that the majority of maggots are only just turning to pupae and the first emergence of adult flies is unlikely until the end of April or early May.

Unfortunately, a small proportion of the blowfly population often ends up overwintering in sheltered spots such as barns or sheds, in which cases early emergence is possible even before the forecasted date. Therefore, early vigilance for blowfly strike is advised from April onwards.

Reducing the risk of fly strike on your farm

There are several steps farmers can take to considerably reduce the risk of blowfly strike in their livestock. The actions recommended by NADIS are:

1. Carrying out a risk assessment

Farmers are advised to conduct a thorough risk assessment to determine the level of risk in their flock. NADIS has developed an interactive tool to help farmers and veterinary professionals quickly and easily carry out risk assessments for each major endemic livestock diseases.

Upon signing up with an email address, farmers will be required to answer a series of biosecurity questions and will subsequently receive a personalised list of risk factors for their farm. By doing so, they will be able to identify risk priorities in their herd or flock and deal with these effectively.

In partnership with Elanco, NADIS has also developed a live Blowfly Alert that predicts the emergence of blowflies based on Met Office Data. Farmers can also help monitor blowfly activity in the UK by reporting cases here.

2. Managing the fly population

Reducing the blowfly population early in the year has the greatest impact on the fly challenge during the grazing season. Female flies can lay up to 3000 eggs in a 3-month period, which can cause populations to grow exponentially.

Inexpensive fly traps have been shown to effectively reduce the incidence of strike by up to 80% in a season. The location of muck heaps and how they’re managed also impact on the spread of blowflies, and farmers are encouraged to consult their veterinarian for advice.

The prompt disposal of deadstock is another effective way of keeping blowfly populations at bay. Finally, farmers should also consider grazing sheep on more exposed pastures that are less favourable to the flies.

3. Reducing fleece contamination

Since flies are attracted to dirty backends, removing soiled fleece by dagging, crutching and timely shearing are all important measures. Moreover, tail docking lambs is a debated but accepted procedure to reduce strike in lowland flocks.

Keeping worm burdens under control can also help minimise scour caused by worms, with Nematodirus infection being particularly important early in the season. Farmers should work with their veterinarian to develop an appropriate faecal egg counting and parasite control plan.

Last but not least, recognising and treating lame sheep promptly can help reduce strike incidents caused by foot rot.

4. Applying preventative treatments ahead of the high-risk period

To dramatically reduce the risk of fly strike, farmers are encouraged to apply preventative treatments before risk levels rise to medium. Farm vets can advise on the most appropriate product to use based on labour resources, the age of lambs during the risk period, withdrawal times and anticipated slaughter dates.

Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) are a targeted narrow-spectrum product for preventing blowfly strike and as such are the gold standard in disease prevention.

Since the correct application of a suitable product is essential to ensure maximum protection for the flock, farmers are advised to check the datasheet before treatment and seek clarification from their vet if needed.

Farmers should also keep in mind that applying a product on a rainy day, or dagging/crutching and shearing in the weeks after application may reduce the protection period.

The post Protect your flock in the blowfly season ahead appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Highland cattle grazing on Islay, Inner Hebrides, Scotland.

Treating sheep and cattle for liver fluke at set intervals has led to overuse of treatments, increased resistance to the products left in a veterinary toolkit, and greater costs to farmers and the environment which could be mitigated through testing.

The fourth in a series of ten cases studies, featuring as part of this year’s RHASS PI, will look at how a project involving Moredun Research Institute, Elanco Animal Health, RSPB and Islay farmers has come up with a plan to boost animal welfare, reduce flukicide resistance, improve soil health and help enhance local wildlife populations.

Monthly monitoring of blood and faecal samples from a select group of animals revealed that the timing of liver fluke infection has changed, in part due to changing weather patterns. Nonetheless, many farmers are still prophylactically treating their livestock with flukicides, often unnecessarily.

This practice is not only leading to increased resistance to the remaining products effective against liver fluke, but is also causing chemicals to leach into surrounding soil and dung, potentially impacting wildlife.

One farmer involved in the study, Stuart Lamont, had been routinely treating sheep on his farm, but since testing showed very low levels of fluke in the summer and autumn, he was advised not to treat until January. Seeing the benefits, he has since switched to a testing over treating programme.

“By listening to the science, we have been able to make informed decisions about when to treat our livestock, which has led to benefits for animal welfare, as well as significant chemical savings,” he said.

“I’m now not having to unnecessarily handle my sheep to run them through a race every six weeks and by treating more sparingly, it means the products are more likely to work when we need to use them.”

Moredun Parasitologist, Philip Skuce, added that there is a careful balance to be struck between responsible treatment and conserving biodiversity on farm.

“On Islay, we were looking at how we could ensure optimal treatment for livestock whilst also addressing issues around product resistance, improving soil health, and supporting local wildlife,” he said, highlighting the important role science plays in providing evidence that a practice is safe for farmers to do.

“There is increasing pressure on the agricultural industry to reduce chemical usage and the most simple and effective way to do this is to ‘test, don’t guess’ and with patterns of parasite epidemiology shifting, more than ever scientists need to be monitoring these changes and bringing farmers along with us,” he stressed.

Commenting on the work, RHASS President Ian Duncan-Miller said: “The application of science to an everyday problem on Islay has shown a quite remarkable breadth and diversity of gains, and shows how really understanding the long-standing challenges will lead to benefits across the board.

“On a wildlife reserve, the priority is obviously the naturally occurring creatures, and this research has demonstrated the importance of science around the grazing livestock to the plants and other animals.”

For more information on this year’s initiative and to access past and future case studies, visit: https://rhass.org.uk/presidential-initiative/https://rhass.org.uk/presidential-initiative/

The post ‘Testing over treating’ livestock for liver fluke found effective in recent study appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Did you know?

• Ewe lambs can be vaccinated with Cevac Chlamydia from five months of age.
• Shearlings (one year plus) and older can be vaccinated within four months before tupping and no later than four weeks before the rams go in.

EAE is caused by the bacterium, Chlamydophila abortus, which is spread from sheep to sheep, predominantly at lambing, when affected ewes shed large numbers of the bacterium in their foetal fluids and placenta. Infection in a flock can result in the birth of dead and/or weak lambs from about three weeks before lambing is due to start.

If sheep are infected after about 100 days of pregnancy they will not abort at this lambing, the bacterium become latent but then reactivates causing abortion at the subsequent lambing.

The highly infectious nature of chlamydia, as well as this latent infection means that levels of abortion can be relatively low one year, before resulting in a storm and significant losses in the next year. Some ewes may not abort but can still shed the bacterium, meaning neonatal ewe lambs could be infected. In a previously uninfected flock the infection is generally bought in.

Harry Walby, ruminant veterinary advisor at Ceva Animal Health, comments: “EAE remains one of the most commonly diagnosed causes of abortion in UK sheep¹, costing the UK sheep industry up to £20 million annually. We have been advised that there will be stock availability issues later in the year and so we are encouraging farmers to vaccinate their flocks as early as possible to utilise current provisions of Cevac Chlamydia and help ensure the continuous supply of the vaccine.”

Fiona Lovatt, RCVS recognised specialist in sheep health and production, adds: “An outbreak of enzootic abortion is devastating – this is a disease for which it is essential to ‘plan ahead, prevent disease and protect the flock’. Once we get close to tupping, there is very little we can do if there is a shortfall in vaccine supply at the crucial time. It would be sensible to be ahead of the game and ensure that first time lambers – whether ewe lambs or shearlings – are vaccinated earlier in the season and while there are stocks available.”

For further information on vaccination with Cevac Chlamydia please contact your vet or visit www.enzooticabortion.co.uk.

1. Veterinary Investigation Diagnosis Analysis (VIDA) report, APHA and Scotland’s Rural College, 2018
2. Milne C.E., et al. Epidemiological modelling of chlamydial abortion in sheep flocks, Veterinary Microbiology (2008), doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2008.09.032

The post Vaccinate for EAE early to help avoid vaccine shortage later in the year appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Libby lambing a 1,000-strong flock near Elmsett, Ipswich.

While the ambitious young lamber didn’t grow up on a farm, Libby is following in her mother’s footsteps who also lambed sheep when she was young. Having worked on a farm looking after 1,110 ewes near Elmsett, Ipswich until recently, she spoke to Farmers Guide about her journey into working with sheep.

“I had my horse on the same farm as a friend of mine whose family farm sheep, so I lambed with them for two seasons, and then I’ve moved on to a larger scale farm this season doing 1,100 sheep,” she explained.

An avid equestrian in her free time, Libby rides with the East Essex Hunt, where she met a lamber working night shifts on the farm near Elmsett. Upon learning they needed a day lamber, she applied for the job and soon began working with the flock.

Despite wanting to work with horses initially, Libby concluded it’s best to keep work and her hobby separate.

“I was at Writtle College doing equine, and I really didn’t enjoy it, so I’ve now taken a year out and have been doing a little bit of everything, sheep, cattle, and working with the vets,” she said, adding she aspires to become either a small animal or farm animal vet nurse.

When it comes to working with sheep, Libby enjoys spending time with the animals and being outside, as well as the challenges that come with the job.

“There’re constant challenges when working with sheep, they like to throw everything possible at you and make your day as difficult as possible,” she said with a hint of amusement.

Libby at her new job ner near Earls Colne in Essex.

Having moved on from her previous job, Libby is currently lambing a 500-strong flock near Earls Colne in Essex. While applying for a veterinary nursing apprenticeship is her plan for next year, she has even bigger plans for the end of this year.

“I’m going to South Africa to do vet conservation,” she revealed, “and then going to work with horses in Zimbabwe, but I’d also love to go to New Zealand and do a season of lambing over there.”

Aware of the pressures facing British farming and how farmers are often blamed for global warming, Libby believes more young people should get involved with agriculture. To those wanting to work with farm animals, she recommends:

“Just talk to as many people as you can, gain as many contacts as possible as the more people you know, the more chance you’re going to get on different farms, experiencing different things.”

As for the more distant future, nothing is set in stone for the inspiring young lamber. “I always knew I wanted to do something with animals, I’m not the biggest people person in the world,” she said with certainty.

“I definitely want to do my vet nursing and I want to travel with that, so like go and be a vet nurse in different countries.”

When asked what her ideal end game would be, her answer was: “I’d love to have my own farm and have sheep, I think that’s probably end end goal.”

The post Teenage day lamber in Essex is ready to take on the world appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Chris Dyson Photography

Five primary schools have participated so far in the Loan a Lamb farming initiative: Milton Mount Primary School in Crawley, The Mill Primary Academy in Crawley, St Lawrence Primary School in Hurstpierpoint, Plumpton Primary School, and Herons Dale School in Shoreham – a primary school for children with a wide range of learning difficulties. In addition, six other schools, including a specialist school for children with autism, will participate after Easter, from 24th to 28th April.

Chris Dyson Photography

The Loan a Lamb scheme – held in partnership with LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) education, and financially supported by the East Sussex Proficiency Test Committee, involves school staff and children caring for a ewe and her lamb for a week, providing hands-on experience with livestock and agriculture. The schools were loaned a hutch and supplied with all the tools and information needed to care for the animals, made possible through the cooperation of five local sheep farmers.

“It is crucial to get children involved in agriculture at a young age,” said Alan Smith from the South of England Agricultural Society’s Education Committee and trustee of the charity. “The Loan a Lamb scheme is an exciting and educational opportunity for school children in Surrey and Sussex. It provides a unique opportunity for students to learn about the importance of farming in producing our food and other products we use in day-to-day life. We are proud of this initiative and to be making a positive impact within our local communities.”

A teacher briefing was held with representatives from all eleven participating schools to provide further information and training, including details on sheep care, biosecurity and health and safety, and emergency procedures. Joanne Hatton from LEAF also attended to answer any questions and provide support, together with the farmers supplying the sheep, as well as teachers from last year’s programme to share their experience of the project.

Chris Dyson Photography

Yvonne Swinson, a teacher at Milton Mount Primary, one of the schools that participated, said: “The Loan a Lamb initiative was a wonderful opportunity for everyone at our school. Many of our children live in flats and don’t have gardens, and lots of them don’t have pets, so they’ve never had the responsibility of getting up, coming out and feeding an animal. They absolutely loved it! We also built the project into almost every aspect of what we were doing in class, from learning about the life cycle of sheep, poetry writing and problem-solving in maths to the chance to wear a woollen jumper, hat or scarf for our ‘wear wool Friday’ event. Children even practised their shepherding skills in PE. This is something we would love to be involved in again, and we are grateful to Loan a Lamb and to our farmer Anne.”

The post Nearly 4,000 children in Surrey and Sussex to benefit from Loan a Lamb initiative appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Now in its eighth year monitoring worm egg counts through a network of 26 sentinel farms across the country, the Zoetis Parasite Watch Scheme has found last year’s counts to be the highest to date.

Average worm egg counts peaked at over 950 eggs per gram (epg) in September, with levels above 250 epg seen from the end of April until the end of recording in November.

Sheep farmer Peter Baber from Weir Park Farm in Exeter, Devon, one of the farms involved in the scheme, believes the higher than average egg counts last year may have been the result of grazing pressures due to a shortage of grass and nutritional stress.

Average strongyle egg counts from 2022 Parasite Watch farms.

“We did more drenching than we thought we would have to do, in such dry conditions, which we found surprising,” he remarked.

“Because we were so severely affected by the drought, we think sheep were grazing very tight and picking up the worms. Because of the nutritional pressures, it perhaps compromised their ability to mount an immune response to control the worms,” he added.

Mr Baber lambs 900 ewes, raising Exlana, Suffolks, SufTex and Texels. He conducts faecal egg counts (FEC) in each group every two weeks, as well as FEC reduction tests 10-14 days post-drenching to check if the product has worked.

From an animal performance and resistance point of view, he encouraged farmers to regularly monitor the worm burden of their flock.

“Worm burdens can be very localised and change from year to year, so you can’t rely on a drenching plan based on when you have done it in the past,” he added.

Veterinarian Ally Ward shares advice

Zoetis vet Ally Ward said the weather has a significant impact on worm patterns.

“”Last year’s weather was exceptionally hot, and yet we still saw consistently high worm egg counts throughout the year. The average peak came in September when the rain arrived.

“Twenty years ago, it would have been unusual to see worm egg counts peaking in the autumn, but because our seasons are less defined now, and our autumn and winters are warmer and wetter, that is what we have been seeing,” she explained.

Ms Ward said worm burdens are also heavily influenced by changes in grazing practices, the status of incoming stock and past treatment history of the animals on the farm.

Alongside FECs, she urged farmers to also use growth rate data, body condition scores, clinical signs and a farm’s previous parasite history to determine whether treatment is necessary.

“Tests should be conducted in lambs over six weeks old. If test results reveal low worm egg counts and no treatments are given, a further test should be taken two weeks later to ensure nothing is missed.

“Results should also be shared with a vet or animal health advisor, who can help interpret the results and decide on the best treatment,” she advised.

To sign up for free to the Zoetis Parasite Watch Scheme and to receive alerts for your area, visit www.parasitewatch.co.uk

The post Farmers warned to monitor worm burdens following record peaks in 2022 appeared first on Farmers Guide.