UK farmers warned to monitor worm burdens following record peaks in 2022

Published Mar 29, 2023

Tridge summary

The 2023 data from the Zoetis Parasite Watch Scheme, which monitors worm egg counts in sheep through 26 sentinel farms, shows the highest average counts to date, peaking at over 950 eggs per gram in September. This surge is linked to grazing pressures and nutritional stress due to drought conditions. The scheme's director, Ally Ward, points out that changing weather patterns and grazing practices have altered worm burdens dynamics. She recommends regular monitoring and consideration of various factors like growth rate data, body condition scores, and parasite history to guide treatment decisions. Farmers are encouraged to share test results with veterinarians or animal health advisors for accurate interpretation and treatment recommendations.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Now in its eighth year monitoring worm egg counts through a network of 26 sentinel farms across the country, the Zoetis Parasite Watch Scheme has found last year’s counts to be the highest to date. Average worm egg counts peaked at over 950 eggs per gram (epg) in September, with levels above 250 epg seen from the end of April until the end of recording in November. Sheep farmer Peter Baber from Weir Park Farm in Exeter, Devon, one of the farms involved in the scheme, believes the higher than average egg counts last year may have been the result of grazing pressures due to a shortage of grass and nutritional stress. “We did more drenching than we thought we would have to do, in such dry conditions, which we found surprising,” he remarked. “Because we were so severely affected by the drought, we think sheep were grazing very tight and picking up the worms. Because of the nutritional pressures, it perhaps compromised their ability to mount an immune response to control the worms,” he ...

Source: UKFarmersguide