New tool in fight against livestock parasites

Graig Producers, the Powys-based livestock marketing group are launching their internal parasite monitoring service for beef and sheep farmers at the Royal Welsh Show. Using the faecal egg counting system, which combines a simple faecal sampling procedure and a Freepost service, the parasite burden can be monitored and treatment given before the worm burden becomes damaging. At the same time it avoids the increasingly expensive option of preventative treatment, which is also adding to resistance amongst parasites.

Nigel Elgar, a sheep and beef farmer with over 20 years experience of organic livestock production says there are two major dangers posed by internal parasites and their control. "Undiagnosed internal parasite damage has been shown to reduce food intake by 10% in young lambs, dramatically reduce growth rates and in extreme cases cause death, so control is essential. Equally, resistance to internal parasite drugs is now at worrying levels, and therefore targeted use of such chemicals is essential if increased resistance is to be avoided."

"Of course, avoiding infection by clean or mixed grazing is a well-established organic answer to avoiding the parasite threat. However, in order to be sure there is no sub-clinical problem, monitoring parasite levels through faecal egg counting (FEC) is the most reliable way of targeting control measures." Elgar added. "Our FEC service is simple and inexpensive, and requires no trips to the vets – just a Freepost postal system. We hope it will make monitoring of parasite activity much easier and more attractive for livestock fa