Farmers Needed for Cattle Worm Survey
A survey is to be launched into the control of anthelmintic resistance in roundworms of cattle.
In 2010, Moredun Research Institute, near Edinburgh, conducted a survey on cattle farms across Scotland, and determined there were signs of anthelmintic inefficiency against the ivermectin-based products in the common cattle gut worm Cooperia.
Now Moredun scientists are looking to expand their survey and are seeking more farmers with herds of greater than 30 animals to help.
Dr Dave Bartley, of Moredun Research Institute commented: "It is important for livestock producers, suitably qualified persons and animal health advisors to give serious consideration to the impact of intensive worm control programmes."
Awareness of the problem of anthelmintic resistance in sheep and goats has been established for many years now, and Defra-backed initiatives, such as Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS), has been promoting guidelines on the effective control of roundworms in sheep for a considerable time.
However, little information has been available on cattle and it is hoped the survey will help improve knowledge.
If you would like to take part in the survey, or would like further information, contact Dr Dave Bartley on 0131 445 5111 or dave.bartley@moredun.ac.uk.
Participants will be supplied with a detailed survey form as well as a sample kit containing everything they need to collect faecal samples, and a FREEPOST address to which to return the samples for free faecal egg count testing service at Moredun.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
