Managing - Worm Control

>> Click here to download a "Know Your Anthelmintics" PDF

>> Click here to download a "Good Drenching Technique" PDF

SCOPS is directed by a steering committee chaired by the National Sheep Association and includes representatives from NFU, SNFU, NOAH, AHDA, RUMA, CSL/VLA, SVS, Defra and SAC. The group has been formed to develop strategies for parasite control in sheep and to oversee the delivery of recommendations to the industry.

Anthelmintic resistance is a threat to all sheep flocks. The SCOPS guidelines are summarised here but full details can be found on the NSA website www.nationalsheep.org.uk

• Always give the correct dose. Drench to the heaviest, check and calibrate equipment and drench over the tongue / inject as directed by the manufacturer. 
• Test for anthelmintic resistance using Faecal Egg Counts (FECs) pre and post drenching. 
• Choose the product carefully and only use a combination if necessary. 
• Look out for warnings about the risk of Nematodirus in young lambs in the spring.  
• Use FECs to monitor the need to drench lambs and to assess the amount of contamination on grazing areas.  
• Move lambs to lower risk grazing after weaning e.g. aftermath. 
• Avoid over drenching ewes. Fit, healthy, mature ewes do not normally need to be drenched pre-tupping; try to leave 10% of the fittest ewes untreated around lambing.