Beating the worm who turned

Whilemicrobialresistance to antibiotics – in both animal and human populations – might have been grabbing the headlines over the past 12 months, farmers shouldn’t forget that commonly used sheep and cattle wormers face similar challenges.

Speaking recently, Moredun researcher Dr Dave Bartley, said that growing resistance to anthelmintics amongst roundworms was impacting on sheep flocks around the country.

“Recent surveys suggest that worm populations’ resistance to particular varieties of wormers can be found in almost every farm examined – which poses a very serious threat to the industry,” he said.

He added that while a number of initiatives had been launched to encourage farmers to adopt best practice, a change in mindset was required to protect the products.

While most farmers were aware that there were issues with resistance to wormer, Bartley said this was not reflected in onfarm practises, where often the same wormer was always used.

Investigationshadshown that economics, the practicalities and time required to conducted even simple tests such as faecal egg counts (FEC) and recent changes in advice on best practice had all influenced farmers’ behaviour.

Moredun Foundation chairman and Perthshire farmer Ian Duncan Miller said that when FECS were carried out, there was a need for getting test results back to farmers quicker.

Bartley said that vets and vet nurses could often carry the tests out themselves – and added that farmers could carry out their own tests: “All that is needed is a microscope, some slides and some salt – and the ability to interpret what is seen.”

He added that recent Moredun workshops had given several hundred farmers the opportunity to do this, with 100 per cent backing the exercise.