Worms are a major threat to the health and performance of lambs and anthelmintics (wormers) are an essential part of good worm control. However, over recent years the sheep industry in the UK has become increasingly dependent on these relatively cheap products, and their frequent use (and sometimes misuse) has led to the development of resistance in the worm population.
SCOPS (Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep) was formed to develop strategies for parasite control in sheep. The latest SCOPS guidelines are:
- Quarantine treatments – yard, treat (drench with monepantel and use injectable moxidectin), quarantine for three weeks on pasture which has already had sheep on this year
- Always administer drenches correctly and at the right dose rate
- Test for resistance
- Look at your control strategy
- Reduce dependence on anthelmintics where possible
- Try to use anthelmintics only when necessary
- Select the most appropriate anthelmintic
- Preserve susceptible worms
EBLEX have a useful guide available and Texel members are encouraged to make best use of the information in the download.