Liver Fluke and how to prevent and control it was the topic for discussion at the recent Moray and Nairn Monitor Farm meeting.
Date:
Tue, 01 Nov 2011
Source:
Quality Meat Scotland
Following confirmation that liver fluke had caused ill-thrift in lambs on Cluny, the Moray and Nairn Monitor Farm near Forres, the recent meeting discussed fluke in sheep and cattle, and methods to control it.
Cluny is part of the national programme of monitor farms, led by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), and is a 1,060 acre unit farmed by Robbie Newlands, his wife, Kirsty and his father, also Robbie.
There is a suckler herd of 170 plus cows and a flock of 650 Scotch Mule ewes. All progeny, sheep and cattle, are finished.
Mr Newlands told the group: "Lambs which have been treated for fluke have really thrived and look significantly better.
"Thanks to the fluke, we’re unlikely to get any lambs away until around the end of October. Next year we’ll definitely treat all our lambs in July."
Dr Philip Skuce, a senior research scientist at the Moredun Research Institute, explained the geographic migration of fluke and its life cycle to the community group, as well as outlining measures farmers can take to control the parasite.
Fluke, once regarded as a problem of the wetter and warmer areas in the west, has spread dramatically over the last 10 to 15 years, and is now also found in the east of Scotland.
It damages livers, reduces livestock performance, impacts on fertility and is sometimes fatal. Overall, it is estimated to cost the Scottish livestock industry in the region of £50 million per annum.
Dr Skuce reminded the community group of the crucial role of the mud snail as without it the fluke life cycle could not continue. He recommended grazing livestock on well drained pasture and fencing off wet areas, to help keep livestock from likely mud snail habitats, especially during high-risk periods.
The same fluke affects sheep and cattle, so mixed grazing should be avoided if possible, and cattle should be included in treatment programmes on such farms.
An additional and largely unavoidable complication is that wildlife, e.g. hares, rabbits and deer, also harbour and spread fluke.
If the farm is free of fluke, minimise risks of importing it by treating in-coming stock before they join the flock or herd.
Dr Skuce emphasised that there are no "blueprints" for fluke control and that farmers need to remain vigilant and tailor control strategies to conditions on their own farms.
Things to consider include the farm and neighbouring farm’s history, abattoir returns which provide liver fluke information, the vet’s local knowledge, climatic factors, plus regular monitoring to establish whether or not stock is affected.
Once fluke is suspected, it is important to use the appropriate anthelmintic at the correct treatment intervals.
The only animals currently on the Moray and Nairn Monitor Farm which have not been treated for fluke are this year’s calves.
Farmer Robbie Newlands plans to blood test these calves for fluke antibodies. If the results are positive, the calves will be treated with the appropriate flukicide. Faecal samples will then be taken for the Moredun to trial the new test.
The next Moray and Nairn Monitor Farm meeting will be on 7th December 2011.
Monitor Farms are a platform for one farm in an area, supported by a community group, to look at the productivity and profitability of the whole farm business over a three-year period.
The Monitor Farmer seeks to improve farm profitability through a process of peer review and advice, specialist input and support from the Monitor Farm Facilitator.
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