The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) has warned of a high risk for fluke infection across NI this autumn and winter.

Wet weather and mild temperatures have provided ideal conditions for fluke to develop within their mud snail host.

Liver fluke can cause a 5% to 15% drop in milk yield in dairy cows, as well as reduced growth in cattle and lambs.

AFBI vets recommend using flukicides that target immature and mature fluke and in the case of sheep one or two treatments this autumn, with a possible follow-up treatment in January.

In the case of housed cattle, growing and finishing animals can be treated early using a product targeting immature and mature fluke.

The alternative is to wait a period of six to eight weeks post-housing and treat animals with a product targeting mature fluke only.

Regardless of which option is followed, farmers should pay attention to withdrawal dates, and seek advice from their local vet.

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