Imagine growing lambs without an effective wormer

This could become reality on many farms in Northern Ireland if we don’t change our approach to worm control.

A survey of 8 sheep flocks in Northern Ireland by AFBI in 2006 found that only one very extensive hill farm had no evidence of resistance to any wormer. The remaining seven farms showed evidence of resistance to at least one group of wormers and one farm showed evidence of resistance to all three available wormer groups.

CAFRE, Beef and Sheep Development Branch has initiated a technology transfer program which aims to meet the challenge of wormer resistance in sheep.

The program has been developed to support the implementation of key recommendations from SCOPS (Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep). More information on SCOPS is available on the National Sheep Association website (www.nationalsheep.org.uk).

To promote the correct use of wormers, FECPAKs are now available, free of charge from local Agricultural Development Centres. These can be used to monitor worm burdens and to help producers decide when to drench. It is better to dose lambs when they need dosed rather than routinely dosing them every three or four weeks. Routine dosing may promote the build up of wormer resistant worms on the farm. Through on-farm work by local Beef and Sheep Development Advisers it is becoming evident that most lamb producers can reduce the amount of wormer they use annually without adversely affecting lamb growth rates. Savings on wormer costs of over £1.00 per ewe are possible, through using the FECPAK to adopt a targeted dosing routine.

In addition to monitoring worm burdens using the FECPAK, CAFRE has joined forces with AFBI to offer a test which can determine the effectiveness of wormer. The Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) is a kit, available from your local Agricultural Development Centre. This kit allows producers to collect faecal samples from 10 lambs before dosing and again two weeks after dosing. These samples are sent to the AFBI Diagnostic Unit, who in return will provide a measure of the efficacy of the wormer used. This information is extremely valuable to producers who may be concerned that their lambs continue to demonstrate poor thrift, even after dosing.  

By integrating these simple technologies into a workable and practical dosing plan, most producers have the opportunity to reduce the build up of wormer resistant worms on the land and save money at the same time. If you are interested in using the FECPAK please contact your local Beef and Sheep Development Adviser or Gerry Donnelly on 07876394675.

Dr Steven Johnston and Michael Graham discuss the use of the FECPAK to monitor worm burdens in the lowland sheep flock at Greenmount