Livestock

livestock Data Shows Worms Pose Risk To

Livestock Throughout the Year

Farmers must be on their guard against parasites throughout the year, with warmer, wetter weather and fewer cold spells1 leading to changing worm patterns in livestock.

Data from the Zoetis Parasite Watch Scheme, which is now in its seventh-year monitoring worm egg counts from a network of farms across the country, has found worm patterns to be changing yearly.

What the Data is Showing In 2021, worm egg counts were low at the start of the year due to the cool, dry spring, yet in 2020, high counts were reported in many areas as early as March.

Last year, worm egg counts peaked from June onwards once the weather became warm and wet, continuing right through the summer months. The highest counts of the year occurred in September and November.

Zoetis vet Ally Anderson said: “Worms and their breeding habits are intrinsically linked to the weather because part of their lifecycle is outside the animal. This is why we are seeing a changing pattern to the worm challenge.

“Twenty years ago, it would have been unusual to see worm egg counts peaking in November, but because our seasons are less defined now, and our autumn and winters are warmer and wetter.

“Changes in grazing practices, what stock has been brought in and past treatment history can also influence worm burdens on farms,” she added.

Eurion Thomas from Techion, the manufacturers of Faecal egg count (FEC) testing kit FECPAKG2, said there has been a big change to the timing of treatments due to the changing weather patterns.

“Traditionally, farmers would treat stock based on the time of the year, with many still doing this. However, now the risk periods are not so defined, it is vital farmers treat stock based on whether they need it. This not only helps ensure the treatments are effective, but also preserves wormers, protects the immediate environment and ensures the growth from animals is maximised, which is vital for farm sustainability and also in reducing emissions from livestock.”

Deciding When to Worm Livestock Worming decisions should ideally be based on faecal egg counts (FEC) alongside growth rate data, the body condition score of animals, and a farm’s previous parasite history. Test results should also be shared with a vet or animal health advisor, who can help interpret

the results and decide on the best treatment.

Mr Thomas added: “FEC tests should be conducted in lambs from six weeks of age when they are out at grass. If test results reveal low worm egg counts and no treatments are given, a further test should be taken two weeks later to make sure nothing is missed.

“This is because FEC tests only detect adult parasites. It can take three weeks from ingestion for the larvae to develop into adults, lay eggs and for those eggs to be excreted back into the environment in the dung. Therefore, lambs should be regularly tested throughout the grazing season,” he said.

Ms Anderson added: “Faecal egg count tests are money well spent as they can help reduce treatment costs meaning the most suitable wormer can be used when there is a risk, reducing the resistance pressure through unnecessary treatments.”

AHDA launches campaign on prescribing to tackle anthelmintic resistance with five step plan

Launched internally to Registered Animal Medicines Advisors (RAMAs/SQPs) in early March, the campaign will use exclusive data obtained by AHDA through its network of 300 animal medicines distributor companies to outline key action points driving improvements in the industry.

The campaign was initially triggered by anthelmintic resistance in lambs, which is an ongoing issue within the animal health and livestock sector. The campaign has now broadened to include endoparasites, ectoparasites and vaccines and will include all species receiving POM-VPS medicines, including equines.

“A number of key industry groups and organisations are well aware of the challenge that anthelmintic resistance poses to farmers, equine owners and, specifically, the sheep sector, and have already put in place policies and procedures to manage it,” explains Bryan Lovegrove, AHDA Secretary General.

“However, we feel this is an industry challenge that needs closer attention and awareness, so over the last six months AHDA has been focussed on a project of work that has been initially looking at anthelmintic resistance and now more broadly at enhancing responsible prescribing.

“Quite simply, more work needs to be done to make a difference, or the sector is going