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The wet autumn and winter continues to increase the risk of an acute liver fluke burden.
There is a big variation in the risk profile between and even within farms with lower-lying, wetter areas where liver fluke has traditionally been a problem important to be wary of.
Treating animals with a product that targets only mature liver fluke is of little use at this stage of the year, with current issues caused by the ingestion of large numbers of early and immature liver fluke parasites. Therefore, the products selected should at least target immature liver fluke.
Rumen fluke
There is a lot of talk regarding rumen fluke burdens but it is important to note that this is generally farm-specific and opting for a product that covers rumen fluke and mature liver fluke will leave sheep exposed to the greater threat of acute liver fluke.
It is also important to switch between products, being careful to change the active ingredient and not just the product name.
Take note also to be careful of withdrawal dates which can rise to 60 days and over. It is also worth making use of available information and following up on the health status of sheep destined for slaughter.
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