Farmers 'should not be complacent' over liver fluke

Despite a low to moderate risk prediction for liver fluke this autumn, preventing pasture contamination by strategically treating stock is an integral part of fluke control, according to the November Parasite Forecast from NADIS, sponsored by Merial Animal Health.

Drier than normal summer conditions mean there are no high risk region predictions for liver fluke disease this autumn, but farmers should not become complacent.

Reducing the fluke burden in over-wintering stock should be a priority for animals that have picked up fluke over the summer. This is especially so for higher-risk areas and where local conditions provide a suitable environment for mud snails, according to Sioned Timothy, Ruminant Technical Manager for Merial Animal Health, sponsors of the Parasite Forecast.

Sioned says: “In moderate risk areas any early treatments in sheep can be followed by an alternative drug. In low risk areas including the western half of England and Wales, delaying fluke treatment until later in the autumn should be considered."

The NADIS Parasite Forecast predicts a low to normal liver fluke risk across most areas of the UK, but autumn rain could raise risk scores across much of the UK and in Scotland in particular.

Sioned says: “One dry summer does not remove fluke, nor eliminate the very real risk of liver damage and its negative impact on production. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by the low risk scores this autumn. We advise farmers to assess the risk on their own farm and treat their cattle at housing if there is a likelihood of fluke infection picked up from pasture this summer."

The risk of clinical parasitic gastroenteritis (PGE) in sheep is likely to increase in the coming month. Dry September weather may have prevented nematode larvae from migrating from dung pats onto the pasture. However as wetter weather sets in these will be released and the increased number of infective larvae on pastures may pose a danger to grazing stock. This risk may be exacerbated where grazing is more tightly stocked than usual due to the dip in lamb prices.

“Consult your veterinary surgeon about an appropriate treatment, particularly regarding the possible use of Group 4 (monepantel) or Group 5 (derquantel and abamectin) wormers to manage any resistant worm populations and prolong the efficacy of the more commonly used Group 1-3 products” Sioned advised.