SAC Research

The rapid development of drench resistance and the increased popularity of organic farming require a reduction in our reliance on anthelmintics to control gastrointestinal nematode parasites (worms). Awareness of this emerging problem has been raised through the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) campaign. There are opportunities to reduce drench use through adopting changes in nutritional and grazing management.

Some forages have direct anti-parasitic properties (e.g. chicory and sainfoin), and may be included as part of a grazing strategy to reduce worm burdens and worm egg output (natural anthelmintics).  Although over time sheep build up immunity to worms, this is not always effective.

This results in further production losses from worm challenge and increased pasture contamination with worm eggs.  Protein supplementation can improve this immunity, and help to control worms and reduce worm egg output (increased resistance). Wormy sheep do not thrive because they lose protein. Protein supplementation can replace this loss and thus boost production performance of parasitised sheep (increased resilience).

Project Number:  n/a

Scottish Government

SAC has carried out research on nutritional control of gastrointestinal nematode parasitism in sheep, in collaboration with research teams in the UK (e.g. Moredun Research Institute and ADAS), in Europe and worldwide (e.g. KVL Denmark, INRA France, ILRI Kenya). Scottish Government RERAD, Defra, EU and BBSRC have financially supported this work. HISHA and SAC advisers have been involved in the dissemination of results to sheep farmers throughout Scotland.