Chronic liver fluke infection can be detected by individual or pooled fluke egg counts or individual copro-antigen ELISA tests. Abbattoir returns may also be helpful. Combined with grazing history, this info may identify areas of the farm that pose the greatest risk to cattle

It is said that 80% of parasitic worms are concentrated in the bottom 5cm of the grass - so move young cattle on when the grass gets too short. Regenerative farmers who practice tall grass grazing with long rest periods between grazings, also tend to have fewer worm issues...

Watch vet Robert Smith talk about how to give injectable anthelmintics to cattle in the right way bit.ly/3OL2iS3 #responsibleuse

Scientists in the COWS group would like vets to fill in a pro-forma survey when they come across lungworm infections, detailing farm and treatment history. This will help track infections across the grazing season. bit.ly/3W4lKhm

Established herds of cattle seldom experience tick-borne disease problems. It is only when older susceptible animals are introduced into a tick-infested area or infected ticks encroach into new areas, that disease occurs. Think carefully about the chances of these happening

Farmers should compile a risk assessment for cattle parasites in all categories of stock and review this several times during the grazing season. #evidencebased

Graze youngstock on silage and hay aftermaths as they become available as these will have a low parasite burden

Listen to great podcast from Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) - Implementing the SCOPS principles to reduce the impact of medicine use on the environment. Features Philip Skuce & COWS member vet Rob Howe. Discussion relevant to cattle too bit.ly/3zZYCIr

Our newest online tool helps farmers understand their cattle faecal egg count results and provides information on testing and appropriate use of wormers. Read more here: bit.ly/4d1XAKz

.Animal Health Skills is advising pooled FEC testing of youngstock every 3 weeks or regular weighing. Assuming nutritional needs are being met, failure to meet DLWG targets indicate need for treatment

There is a great article in the Summer 24 issue of BCVA Cattle Quarterly magazine. Vet Daniel Scovenna of Torch Farm Vets describes how he is working with a beef farmer to devise a parasite control plan using AHWP visits. Read here: bit.ly/46Ev7YI

Last year COWS updated all its core guidelines reflecting a shift to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with more testing before treating & putting plans in place that consider the wider impacts of treatment. These can be found here cattleparasites.org.uk

If pooled faecal egg count (FEC) results come back positive but below the 200 eggs/gram threshold for treating, advise farmers to test again in 2-3 weeks as FECs can rise quickly in August

Unvaccinated at-risk stock such as first season grazers are at risk of lungworm between now and September. Outbreaks are hard to predict but often follow wet periods. Listen out for coughing or a sudden drop in milk yield in dairy cows

‘On the Hoof’ Lungworm podcast for vets in practice. Helen Carty, Centre Manager & VIO, talks to Alison Braddock. Listen now for a useful overview! 📣 tinyurl.com/2mjyx4ut Please take part in the Cattle Parasites Lungworm Survey 2024 👇🏼 tinyurl.com/zect7zey 🐏🐄

It helps to know where certain flies breed. Head Flies in pasture soil. Face Flies in dung pats. Stable Flies indoors. Biting midges in dung heaps. Practice good farm yard hygiene to keep fly numbers down

Parasitology for local vets, nurses & techs - Thursday 26th September, 1-4pm, Aberdeen Hub. 🔬How to prepare samples for worm egg count 🐄How to Read a McMaster slide 🐑How to avoid inaccurate results. Must book to attend! Tel:0131 5353130 or [email protected] #cpd

Late summer/early autumn is the period of greatest risk for cattle picking up liver fluke. It is a good idea to test at or shortly after housing to see if treatment is needed. Testing might save farmers time & money if thresholds come back too low to treat

Culicoides spp. (midges) are vectors of Blue Tongue virus. APHA is offering free BTV testing for animals moving from high risk zones - Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and East Sussex to other parts of the UK. See here bit.ly/4fZBmuw

Cases of lungworm are now being reported across the UK, prompting a warning to take action to prevent cattle deaths. farmersguide.co.uk/livestock/farm… #lungworm #cattle #livestock #AnimalHealth #BritishFarming Cattle Parasites