Awel y Grug Project Update - September 2025

What has been done?

Targeted Selective Treatment (TST) is well underway at Awel y Grug and has already shown positive outcomes. We initially started with a FEC reduction test to identify the efficacy of anthelmintics within the flock. A resistance to the white drench (1-BZ) was found, and so can only be used moving forward to control Nematodirus when strongyle worm burdens are low. 

In just two treatment cycles, one in June and one in July, 855 fewer doses were administered to the lambs, resulting in a saving of nearly £60 in drench costs and dosing time cut dramatically. A recent session took only 30 minutes—three times faster than treating the whole group, and importantly, worms are not building resistance due to unnecessary dosing.

Fiona Kenyon, Principal Research Scientist at the Moredun Research Institute, analysed the FEC samples to establish which worm species were present. This helped to understand which worm species were developing wormer resistance and allows optimisation when specific drug classes are most effective.

What's next?

Moving forward, the TST programme will continue at Awel y Grug and FEC monitored through into the autumn.