SCOPS warns of parasite ‘perfect storm’
Wet weather increases the risk of worm larvae ingestion.
The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) has urged vigilance amid what it calls a ‘perfect storm’ for worm challenges in pasture.
It describes how a recent period of wet weather, followed by hot and dry spells across the UK, could increase the parasite burdens of lambs.
The wet weather will enable worm larvae to survive and move up the grass stem. This increases the risk of ingestion by grazing lambs.
It also releases large numbers of larvae from dung pats as they break down in the rain.
SCOPS encourages farmers to carry out regular faecal egg counts (FECs) to monitor parasite levels and support treatment decisions. However, during these conditions, farmers must be on guard for a sudden increase in infective larvae on their pasture.
Farmers are also being advised against routine blanket treatment.
SCOPS advocates the use of FECs, grazing management and Daily Liveweight Gain (DLWG) to catch worm challenges early. Farmers should then implement targeted treatments.
Nerys Wright, technical adviser for SCOPS, said: “It is really important to consider how lambs are performing in terms of daily liveweight gains (DLWG) and their general appearance because there can be a delay of two to three weeks between larvae being ingested and eggs appearing in the faeces, so farmers must trust their stockperson’s eye and daily liveweight gain alongside FEC results,”
“By testing regularly and acting early, farmers can avoid performance losses and reduce the need for whole-flock treatments. It’s about being strategic and responsive to the conditions on your farm.”
The majority of the UK is in the post-hatch phase for nematodirus larvae. Meanwhile, much of Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland are at, or just after, peak hatch.
SCOPS urges farmers to remain vigilant, especially in hill or upland areas where a significant hatch may still occur.
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