Gastrointestinal Nematode Control Practices in Irish Sheep Farms
Author Information
Author(s): Patten Thomas, Good Barbara, Hanrahan James P, Mulcahy Grace, de Waal Theo
Primary Institution: UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin
Hypothesis
What are the parasite control practices and risk factors contributing to anthelmintic resistance among Irish lowland sheep farmers?
Conclusion
There is a need for greater awareness of sustainable anthelmintic use to prevent resistance.
Supporting Evidence
- 61% of farmers administered four or more treatments to lambs in a normal year.
- 94% of respondents treated purchased animals with an anthelmintic before mixing them with their flock.
- 58% of sheep producers indicated they switched anthelmintic class on an annual basis.
Takeaway
Farmers need to be careful about how they treat their sheep for worms, or the worms might become resistant to the medicine.
Methodology
A questionnaire was distributed to 166 lowland Irish sheep producers to gather data on their parasite control practices.
Limitations
Some respondents had fewer than 100 breeding ewes, leading to exclusion from analysis.
Participant Demographics
The majority of respondents had both sheep and cattle enterprises, with a dominant breed of Suffolk.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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