Sustainable Farming Initiative - Roundworms
Sustainable Farming Initiative UPDATED – making the most of testing for sheep and cattle roundworms
As part of the second year of Scottish Government’s ‘Preparing for Sustainable Farming’ initiative, farmers can claim £250 for undertaking up to two animal health interventions in 2024. Investigations should be completed by 31st December 2024 and claims must be submitted by 28th February 2025.
Two important interventions which will receive funding (and could be claimed for separately on mixed units) are the control of roundworms in sheep and cattle.
Fulfilling the requirements of this intervention requires faecal egg count testing AND wormer efficacy testing if required. Testing can be done by vet practices, a laboratory like SRUC Vet Services or by suitably trained farmers, although interpretation and consultation with a vet/health advisor must follow and this should be in writing. Currently the funding does NOT cover testing for lungworm.
Lambs and youngstock cattle are most at risk from roundworms and regular testing should be focused on these animals throughout the summer and autumn. Regular faecal sampling can be used to aid decision making around anthelmintic treatments and aids with assessing pasture contamination. Unlike other strongyle parasites, diarrhoea is not seen with Haemonchus contortus infection and adult sheep remain susceptible to this parasite. The funding would also cover diagnosis and treatment efficacy testing on farms where Haemonchus infection is suspected.
For a pooled faecal worm egg count (WEC), 10 fresh samples should be collected with a minimum of 3g faeces per animal. Accurate scales should be used to pool samples or SRUC can pool samples after submission.
If the WEC result indicates there is no need for anthelmintic treatment, then the farmer should take advice from their vet/advisor on when next to test. If testing indicates a significant worm burden and anthelmintic treatment is required, then product efficacy testing should also be carried out. This can be investigated by either a drench test or a faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). These are more useful tests to do in the summer and autumn, as later season counts may be higher and Nematodirus battus eggs feature less.
When to collect samples after anthelmintic treatment:
- Group 1-BZ: 10-14 days
- Group 2-LV: 7 days (however guidance from WAAVP in Kaplan et al. (2023) suggests 10-14 days can also be used)
- Group 3-ML (Sheep: 14 days, Cattle: Ivermectin/Doramectin 14-17 days, Moxidectin: 17-21 days, Long acting moxidectin: 21-28 days)
- Group 4-AD: 14 days
- Group 5-SI: 14 days
*Other factors which affect anthelmintic efficacy should always be considered when interpreting results of testing for resistance e.g. product shelf life and storage, dose given, applicator performance etc.
SCOPS contains a wealth of further information if required. Full guidance regarding the PSF funding can be found at: Preparing for Sustainable Farming full guidance. Keep an eye out for further updated OTHs which will consider other investigation options covered by the scheme.
Posted by SRUC Veterinary Services on 22/08/2024
