Latest News

Free forecasting service for sheep farmers helps protect health of 2022-born lambs The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is continuing to offer its Nematodirus Forecast at no charge, providing a vital service for sheep farmers, vets and advisers to protect the health of lambs born this spring. Nematodirus is one of the first parasitic challenges lambs face when they begin to rely more on grazed grass and less on their mothers’ milk, meaning the disease can often strike before they have any immunity. 20th April 2022 Read More
SCOPS Nematodirus Forecast running again after technical glitch After a brief period of technical problems with weather data, which have now been resolved, the SCOPS Nematodirus Forecast is available again, at no charge to users. This is just in time, as we are entering a high risk period for nematodirus with many orange, red and even black dots on the map. 23rd March 2022 Read More
Mild weather prompts nematodirus warning for sheep farmers The rise in temperatures in recent days means an increased risk to lambs from hatching nematodirus, says the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group. Speaking on behalf of the group, sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings says: “Nematodirosis can strike very quickly so you can’t afford to have a ‘wait and see’ policy. 21st March 2022 Read More
SCOPS welcomes agricultural journalists to sheep scab press briefing Today (Tuesday 22nd February 2022), the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group welcomed agricultural journalists and other guests to a one-hour press briefing about sheep scab control in the four UK nations. Stewart Burgess of Moredun spoke about the RDPE-funded ‘For Flock’s Sake’ project running with great success in three parts of England. 22nd February 2022 Read More
Up close and personal with liver fluke SCOPS is very fortunate to have been sent a fantastic short video of the liver fluke lifecycle, created by parasitologist Dr Clive Bennett (University of Southampton) and filmmaker and Emmy award winner Dr David Barlow. It is the culmination of around 10 years of work. 1st February 2022 Read More
SCOPS Nematodirus Forecast to go live on 1st February Mild conditions experienced in parts of the UK at the New Year, coupled with a predicted warm end to January, means the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is launching its Nematodirus Forecast earlier this season. As well as using the forecast, the group also advises sheep farmers to monitor for signs of diarrhoea and ill thrift in lambs – and not to exclude nematodirus as a cause of disease, even if your regional hatching risk is not yet high. 31st January 2022 Read More
SCOPS urges UK sheep farmers to take part in important survey on wormer resistance Wormer resistance is a growing problem on sheep farms in the UK, as in other countries. Recent data shows that on most farms, at least one and more usually two or three wormer groups are not having the expected impact on roundworms. To help plan for the future, a new survey is being conducted by Queen's University Belfast and the Moredun Research Institute to gather information on what farmers are doing to control worms, what they think of wormer resistance and how to deal with it. 20th December 2021 Read More
Warning issued over 'cowboy' sheep dipping contractors - Farmers Weekly article SCOPS draws attention to a useful article published in Farmers Weekly in early December. The article outlines the importance of using contractors who follow industry best practice guidelines, avoiding possible malpractices such as applying organophospate (OP) dip through jetters and showers, and/or illegally disposing of spent dip. 10th December 2021 Read More
Keep your guard up against liver fluke this winter, warn industry experts While the risk of liver fluke remains low for much of the UK this season, livestock farmers need to keep their guard up again in what is becoming a less predictable parasite challenge. That is the warning from the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Worms Sustainably (COWS) groups as we head into winter. 10th December 2021 Read More
Fluke warning for cattle and sheep farmers as range of treatment options reduces A dry, cool spring across most of the UK, followed by some hot, dry spells over the summer, means the liver fluke risk is generally going to be low this autumn and winter. However, the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainably (COWS) groups say producers need to test on their own farms to avoid treating unnecessarily or being caught out – and need to consider treatment options carefully given the withdrawal of Trodax from the market. 11th October 2021 Read More
SCOPS encourages sheep farmers in England, Wales and Scotland to complete scab survey - even if they have no scab problem! SCOPS is strongly encouraging all sheep farmers in England, Wales and Scotland to participate in a Nottingham University sheep scab survey. The survey is relevant to all producers, whether or not they have experienced sheep scab in their flock before. 7th October 2021 Read More
New SCOPS quarantine resources available for sheep vets and advisers With so many potential risks to consider when bringing sheep into a flock, the Sustainable Control of Parasistes in Sheep (SCOPS) group has created new resources to help vets and advisers better assit their farmer clients. The six-step guide provides clear steps on parasite risk assessment, finding information on tests and treatments available and best practice. 25th August 2021 Read More

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