Liver fluke surveillance

The Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Surveillance section has released a report identifying the presence of liver fluke in lambs in Mayo and Donegal. The report is based on blood samples being tested from lambs slaughtered in June from 160 flocks with a nationwide spread. There were more samples taken in counties with a higher population and greater risk of liver fluke, with 28 farms sampled in Mayo followed by 25 in Galway and 22 in Mayo.

The report says it is not surprising – given the Department’s moderate fluke forecast last winter – that so many samples tested negative. It highlights, however, that the positive samples identified in Mayo and Donegal should serve to caution farmers when assessing the liver fluke threat in their flocks. It adds that the sample size in some counties is small (see www.animalhealthsurveillance for full details) and therefore it is important for farmers to interpret results as they relate to their area.

The overarching message is that farmers need to be mindful of the risk of fluke and use all information at their disposal. Following up on the health status of livers in lambs or ewes post-slaughter is one of the best ways of getting an overview of the health status of the flock.

Maintenance feeding: The traditional train of thought of overly restricting the intake of ewes post-weaning is an inefficient use of feed. Ewes in adequate body condition should be fed to maintenance and used to graze out paddocks after lambs or other priority stock. This group should be monitored regularly to ensure ewes do not slip in condition.

The remaining group of ewes lacking condition should now be receiving preferential treatment as it can take eight to 10 weeks for ewes grazing good grass to gain one body condition score. This will be influenced by the starting condition and age of ewes with yearling hoggets that reared lambs and aged ewes lacking condition in particular given priority treatment. Ewes that fail to regain condition despite this treatment should be earmarked for culling. The strong cull ewe trade should serve as an enticement to cull ewes that are not performing.

Blowfly strike

The humid weather in the last week has brought about a renewed risk of blowfly strike. Many farmers have plans in place for protecting lambs but an increasing number of farmers are reporting cases in ewes, ewe hoggets and rams.

It is important to be aware of this with strikes escalating quickly at this time of year. As discussed in previous weeks, there are fewer dipping products on the market this year with only Bimeda’s Ectoflits and Hygeia’s summer and winter dip available to farmers in the south, while farmers in Northern Ireland have only one option: Bimeda’s Gold Fleece.

In terms of pour-on selection, it is important to weigh up the period of cover and price per head rather than just the overall price with treatment volumes and the length of protection provided varying significantly.

A full list of available products including information on any associated parasites covered can be found at www.farmersjournal.ie.