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Sheep farmers urged not to do get caught out by ‘low’ fluke risk this winter While liver fluke burdens on pasture have generally been lower than last season, experts are warning it is dangerous to assume this applies to all farms, all areas on a farm, or that levels will remain low as the autumn and winter progresses. Speaking on behalf of the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) Group, Lesley Stubbing says: “Reports from around the UK generally suggest we have not yet seen a major challenge from liver fluke – but there are a few individual cases, so it is essential to keep monitoring. 4th December 2018 Read More
Latest liver fluke warning urges sheep and cattle farmers to ‘keep on your guard’ The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainably (COWS) groups are urging sheep and cattle farmers not to take their eyes off the ball when it comes to the liver fluke threat risk this autumn. While liver fluke burdens on pasture are expected to be much lower than last season, experts are warning it is dangerous to assume that applies to all farms, all areas on a farm, or that levels will remain low as the autumn progresses. 16th October 2018 Read More
Sheep and cattle farmers warned dry summer may not have killed off liver fluke The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainably (COWS) groups are urging sheep and cattle farmers to not be complacent about liver fluke this autumn. It would be wrong for producers, the groups say, to assume the dry summer has killed all the liver fluke parasite and the mud snails that are part of its complex life cycle. 5th September 2018 Read More
The drought is over (for most farms) and worms are getting busy! Now many parts of the UK have seen significant rain, SCOPS is warning producers that it’s not only grazing that is benefiting ... worms are also starting up where they left off during the drought. Farmers around the country are seeing faecal egg count (FEC) levels rising and there have been reports of Haemonchus activity causing problems to both ewes and lambs. 4th September 2018 Read More
SCOPS calls for action as first case of resistance to group 4 wormer (monepantel) is reported in the UK The recent publication of the first case of resistance to monepantel (trade name Zolvix) in the UK is a timely and important reminder to sheep farmers and their advisors, says the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group. Speaking on behalf of SCOPS, sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings says: “SCOPS welcomes this report because it not only highlights the need for sheep farmer to follow best practice advice, but also reveals the dangers of not integrating the newer wormer groups into on-farm control programmes before the other groups fail. 11th June 2018 Read More
Select the right wormer to use as different types of worm ‘wake up’ in warmer spring weather Vigilance and appropriate product choice will be essential to protect young lambs over the coming days and weeks, warns the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group, as the difficult spring continues to challenge flocks. Speaking on behalf of SCOPS, Lesley Stubbings says: “SCOPS is urging farmers to remain vigilant, as the level of risk for nematodirus is now very high in some areas of the country. 30th April 2018 Read More
SCOPS nematodirus warning for sheep farmers as spring temperatures (finally) start to rise Sheep farmers must be on their guard against nematodirus now that a sudden increase in temperatures has been forecast, warns the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group. The SCOPS Nematodirus Forecast map at www.scops.org.uk/nematodirus (pictured) shows South and East England, plus most other lower lying areas of England, are at moderate risk – which means they are within 10 days of a hatch. 13th April 2018 Read More
New research shows sheep farmers can save money at lambing time and safeguard the future of their flocks Anthelmintic treatment of ewes around lambing time, often with long-acting products, has become common practice on UK sheep farms. However, new independent UK research carried out over three years by the Animal Plant and Health Agency (AHPA) and funded by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has found no advantage in blanket worming ewes at lambing. 20th March 2018 Read More
Forecast launched to help sheep farmers respond to annual spring threat to young lambs It may not feel like it in parts of the UK hit by ‘The Beast from the East’ and Storm Emma, but spring is just around the corner – and with it the annual deadly threat from the roundworm Nematodirus in lambs. Responding to the speed with which this parasite can hit, the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is again providing an invaluable forecasting tool on its website. 7th March 2018 Read More
Farmers urged to take advice to deal with complicated liver fluke situation The prediction by the National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS) for a high risk of liver fluke disease in North, West and central Scotland, West Wales and Cornwall this winter have been borne out by incidences recorded over recent months. Given the risk to both sheep and cattle, SCOPS and COWS have come together to remind producers that the high-risk warning followed a year with one of the wettest summers on record and higher than average rainfall in many parts of Great Britain. 6th March 2018 Read More
New website launched to help sheep farmers win the fight against parasites The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group has launched a new website today (Thursday 1st March) to provide a one-stop-shop for practical information on controlling sheep parasites. SCOPS is an industry-led group that recognises one of the biggest challenges to the future health and profitability of the UK sheep industry is resistance to the animal health products used to control parasites. 1st March 2018 Read More
SCOPS / COWS Liver Fluke update December 2017 Find the latest update on liver fluke in the UK in the pdf: 11th December 2017 Read More

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