Anthelmintic efficacy: The topic of anthelmintic resistance is one that is slow to generate interest among farmers, with many often ignoring the risks until it is too late. There are growing levels of resistance being identified at farm level to the three commonly used anthelmintic classes – benzimidazole or white drench, levamisole or yellow drench and macro cyclic lactones or clear drench including ivermectins.

If in doubt that this is an issue in your flock, it is important to carry out tests. The most straightforward method which was used previously in the sheep technology adaption programme includes carrying out a faecal egg count followed by treating sheep with the anthelmintic in question and then carrying out another faecal egg test to determine if a sufficient kill of worms has been achieved.

A faecal egg count should be repeated seven days later where a levamisole-based product has been used and 14 days later for benzimidazole or macro cyclic lactone products. The test works on the premises that if there is greater than a 95% worm kill there is no problem with the anthelmintic, while a reduction of less than 95% points to potential resistance issues. This is provided the correct dosing technique has been adhered to.

Faecal egg counts are the optimum way in which to determine the need for worm treatment. The main risk at present is with strongyle worms, with an egg count of 500 strongyle worms per gram generally the point at which dosing is recommended. Remember where collecting samples to adhere to storage and delivery/postage guidelines as instructed by the laboratory.

Tag type options: Some farmers spoken to in marts over the last week did not realise there is a lower-cost option to the traditional button-type tag set, which costs in the region of €1.40 to €1.45 per set. Some tag manufacturers are offering a lower-cost wraparound tag which costs anywhere from €1.15 to €1.35 per set while a single electronic tag from this set is costing in the region of 95c to €1.00 per tag. Single-button tags cost in the region of €1.15 on average. Take note when assessing costs that a new tagger may be required.

Pesticide records: Records of pesticide use must be recorded under cross compliance. A leaflet for recording use was included with BPS documentation circulated in spring and details of information required.

Date for diary: A farm walk will take place on Wednesday 19 June on the farm of Tomás O’Leary, Rosnacarton, Beaufort, Co Kerry (eircode: V93 P9C7) at 7pm. Tomás was the Grass10 grassland farmer of the year winner for 2018 and the Department of Agriculture KT event will be a great opportunity to see excellent grassland management in practice. The farm grew 13.5t of grass despite being 150ft above sea level and partly marginal in type. This is attributed to a good paddock system, addressing soil fertility and regular reseeding. This sets the foundation for positive performance in a flock of over 300 ewes which are stocked at 12 ewes/ha and run alongside a dairy heifer contract-rearing enterprise.