‘Anthelmintics have been traditionally over-used’ – Nuffield Farming report

A Nuffield Farming report has highlighted the present issues confronted by the UK sheep business because of anthelmintics over utilization and has outlined sustainable steps for addressing resistance.

Carried out by Welsh farm veterinarian Miranda Timmerman, the report ‘Worming like a winner: A information to a sustainable UK sheep flock‘, was collectively sponsored by The Worshipful Firm of Farmers with Savills and The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.

As a part of her analysis, Timmerman travelled all through the Netherlands, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe, UK, Norway, Australia and New Zealand.

“Endoparasites have co-evolved with sheep however trendy, intensive administration strategies have elevated their adverse impression on productiveness,” she stated.

“Anthelmintics have been traditionally over-used, leading to our present issues.

“The scenario is regarding as a result of anthelmintic resistance has the potential to cease sheep farming within the UK; nonetheless there are administration adjustments that may be made to not solely forestall anthelmintic resistance, however even reverse it.”

Sheep parasites

Nuffield stated Timmerman launched into her travels with the target of understanding how sheep farmers may handle parasites with out using anthelmintics, how these merchandise could possibly be used to forestall and reverse resistance, in addition to growing sensible steps farmers can take to future-proof their farms and inventory.

In her report, Timmerman makes suggestions for each sheep farmers, vets and business to handle the problem of resistance.

These embrace using genetics, understanding and amending grazing practises, use of parasite monitoring applied sciences, and improved dissemination of related info to the sector.

Her research goals included:

1. Managing parasites with out using anthelmintics;
2. Creating sensible steps farmers can take to future-proof their farms and inventory;
3. Utilizing anthelmintics to forestall resistance occurring and to reverse the present incidence.

The primary message of her report was that anthelmintic resistance is a direct risk to the UK sheep business’s future survival.

Timmerman additionally outlined focused selective remedy as a vital methodology to slowing resistance and refugia as a key administration technique to reverse resistance.

Timmerman will current her findings on the 2023 Nuffield Farming ‘tremendous’ convention, held at Sandy Park close to Exeter from 14-16 November.