Authors

F Kenyon²; E Geddes²; J Duncan²; C Morgan-Davies³; A McLaren³; N Sargison⁴; P Skuce²; ER Morgan¹; L Stubbings⁵;  ¹ School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, UK;  ² Disease Control, Moredun Research Institute, UK;  ³ SRUC Hill and Mountain Research Centre, Kirton and Auchtertyre, Crianlarich, UK;  ⁴ Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh University, UK;  ⁵ Sustainable Control of Parsites in Sheep, UK

Discussion

Roundworm parasites are a leading cause of lost productivity in grazing livestock. When combined with increasing reports of anthelmintic resistance, these parasites present a serious threat to sustainable sheep farming in the UK. Current advice suggests that regular monitoring of worm challenge (through Faecal Egg Counting (FEC)) and anthelmintic efficacy testing, together with avoidance of ‘blanket’ or whole group anthelmintic treatments are critical steps in slowing the development of anthelmintic resistance. However, to enable sheep farmers to adopt this approach, there are a number of obstacles, including difficulties in the interpretation of efficacy testing (such as the Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT)) which is also expensive and labour intensive. Two recent studies on commercial farms (n=26) across the UK have focused on understanding whether a simplified ‘drench check’ could provide useful information on-farm, while reducing the challenges to uptake compared to a/the FECRT. Pre- and post-treatment faecal samples were analysed for FEC, anthelmintic efficacy and nematode species composition. Results suggested that practical information could be achieved using the simpler ‘drench check’ protocol. However, while this is useful information for the research community, it needs to be made available to farmers in a more easily understandable format, so they can be empowered to make informed decisions to tackle the problems caused by worms on their farms. We have developed translation tools, through co-design with end-users, to give farmers access to this type of information. One example is the ‘FEC Check’ app, which graphically visualises FEC results, including basic advice on interpretation including in the context of production-limiting disease. In summary, nematodes and anthelmintic resistance are a combined threat to sustainable livestock farming in the UK and beyond. The people most able to address these challenges are farmers and we have developed resources and tools to enable farmers to make evidence-based decisions regarding the interventions required on their farm.