Farmers needed for new research in worm control
Innovis Ltd are seeking livestock farmers to take part in PARASOL, a European funded project looking at improved control of intestinal worms.
Innovis is evaluating the use of regular faecal egg counting in a range of different farming situations in the UK. Each participating farmer will use a FECPAK to carry out their own faecal egg counts. The objective of the 2 year study is to evaluate whether the use of the system will reduce the amount of anthelmintic (wormer) treatments and to determine the effect on animal performance.
Innovis (formerly CBS Technologies), a company dedicated to improving livestock by providing innovative technical services, is one of 17 academic and industry partners participating in PARASOL. The other partners involved include some of the leading parasitologists in the world and are located across Europe as well as South Africa and Morocco.
"This is a very exciting opportunity for farmers to be introduced to this new technology" says Eurion Thomas who is managing the project on behalf of Innovis. "FECPAKs have been commercially available in the UK for the last 5 years and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence from our customers that the use of the system to monitor egg counts is providing real benefits with less wormers purchased and a decrease in labour. However these advantages have never been quantified and the real potential of the use of regular faecal egg counting may not yet have been fully realised," adds Mr Thomas.
As well as having access to the system at a much reduced cost, all participating farmers will get free tailored advice (farm plan) and consultancy on parasite control on a regular basis throughout the project as well as identifying the resistance status of their property. In return, the farmers will be asked to keep accurate records of the amount of wormers used and animal performance.
"Anthelmintic resistance poses a serious threat to the future of livestock production throughout Europe and farmer input is crucial to helping with this collaborative research. The results of which will hopefully provide a blueprint for others to follow to help deal with this problem," Mr Thomas concludes.
Innovis are looking for sheep, cattle or mixed sheep and cattle farms in any part of the UK. If you are interested in participating in this project then please contact Innovis Ltd's Aberystwyth office on 01970 828236 or Email: enquiries@innovis.org.uk. An application pack will be sent out to all interested farmers.
