While the threat of liver fluke is lower at this time of year, it still remains a significant risk where ewes have been outwintered on land which is prone to liver fluke infestation.

The risk is also present in ewes that have been housed in recent weeks on the point of lambing and have not received any treatment since December or January.

Department advice

The advice from the Department’s liver fluke forecasting group earlier in the season is to treat outwintered ewes in January and again in April.

The main threat at this stage of the year is from chronic liver fluke. As such, mature fluke parasites are the main target and products that treat immature and mature liver fluke should give a good clearout of parasites.

There is also a good opportunity at present where ewes have been housed for several weeks to alternate between active ingredients and use a product that targets only mature fluke.

Focusing on the active ingredient is an important component to remember

Many farmers tie this treatment in with releasing ewes and lambs outdoors while hill flocks regularly target a treatment while ewes are down from hill grazing.

Focusing on the active ingredient is an important component to remember, as there are numerous products on the market within the same class of active ingredient.

Detailed information on product choice can be found here.