Parasite Management Project - Monthly Update - June 2019

Extract from lamb FEC samples over the last month :-

In general, we have seen an increase in egg counts across lamb samples in June following the recent spell of rain and heat. Warm conditions with plenty of moisture are ideal conditions for hatching of eggs and larval development. We have therefore been encouraging our farmers to be super vigilant 3 to 4 weeks after that break in the weather. To help understand the variability in results the guidelines supplied to the FECPAKG2 users to interpret results are as follows:-

• >200 epg -   Unlikely to treat (there are exceptions)
• 200 epg – 500 epg – Possibly treat. Consider other factors such as growth rates, condition.
• > 500 epg – Likely to treat

So, although testing was completed in a high-risk period, we had results that fall in to all 3 categories which shows plenty of variation between and within farms.

Interesting to note that for the highest result recorded, the stock performance / condition was noted as being ‘Good’ which highlights the value of monitoring. FEC testing often picks up problems before the eye does.

The two samples submitted by Hywel Davies were taken 2 weeks after worming with a white drench. Post treatment checks are a great habit to get in to as will highlight any treatment failures. There seems to be some strongyle’s surviving the treatment, but as the levels are extremely low it is nothing to be concerned about in terms of treating those lambs again. A more detailed wormer efficacy test will be carried out later in the season.

Young Cattle results from Ianto Pari -

Thresholds for treatment of cattle are much lower. As the 1st group were in the ‘possibly treat’ zone and were in moderate condition only, Ianto decided to target treatment to this group only.