Optimising Liver Fluke Management: lateral flow diagnostic test

Liver fluke continues to impose significant economic burdens through increased mortality and production losses, yet effective, targeted control remains a persistent concern for many producers. Traditional practices often involve prophylactic flukicide treatments, applied routinely without precise knowledge of actual infection status or risk. This approach carries inherent disadvantages, including inefficient resource allocation, the potential for anthelmintic resistance development, and undesirable environmental impacts.

The emergence of a novel lateral flow diagnostic test presents a transformative opportunity to refine liver fluke control strategies. This advanced diagnostic tool enables rapid, on-farm assessment of fluke exposure, thereby facilitating a more evidence-based and targeted approach to treatment. Our project is designed to equip farmers with the necessary knowledge and support to effectively utilise this innovative diagnostic capability, empowering them to make informed decisions regarding flukicide application.

This project is a collaborative effort, bringing together 15 sheep farmers from Farming Connect sheep discussion groups, Flock Health Ltd, and Aberystwyth University. These project farms are committed to working collaboratively and sharing their findings with the wider agricultural sector.

Key objectives of this initiative include:

  • Promoting informed decision-making: Guiding farmers in the accurate interpretation of test results to determine optimal treatment timing and necessity.
  • Facilitating targeted intervention: Demonstrating how evidence-based testing can shift treatment protocols from routine applications to a precise, needs-driven approach.
  • Enhancing resource efficiency: Highlighting the benefits of targeted treatment, including reduced expenditure on veterinary medicines and minimised environmental impact.
  • Supporting strategic health planning: Enabling farmers to comprehensively map on-farm liver fluke risk, thereby integrating a more precise and proactive control strategy into their annual flock health plans.

The project will also contribute to the Sustainable Land Management outcomes including:

  • Achieving and promoting high standards of animal health and welfare
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions