1. Always make sure any treatment you give is fully effective.
SCOPS is an industry led group that works in the interest of the UK sheep industry. It recognises that, left unchecked, anthelmintic resistance is one of the biggest challenges to the future health and profitability of the sector.
The SCOPS group was formed to develop sustainable strategies for parasite control in sheep, facilitate and oversee the delivery of these recommendations to the industry and ensure that new research and development is incorporated to refine and improve advice given to the sheep industry.
SCOPS includes representatives from a wide range of industry organisations – logos and links are below. The equivalent organisation for cattle is the Control Of Worms Sustainably (COWS).
With variable weather across the country and rising temperature despite the high rainfall in many areas, SCOPS is urging sheep farmers to use FECs (faecal egg counts) to monitor the worm challenge in their flocks. FECs will help determine the need to treat lambs - and you vet or advisor/SQP can advise on what product to use. A list of product choices can be found in the SCOPS Know Your Anthelmintics Guide. Remember to test to see if your wormer has worked effectively. Click here for details on testing for resistance.
SCOPS is also asking users of this website to provide feedback, so we can develop the site further in the future. If you can give up a few moments of your time to help, you will find the survey at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SCOPS2019. Thank you.
Many areas of the UK have gone through the risk phases of orange, red and black and are turning to low or no risk colours - but still be vigilant, particularly in late lambing flocks in hill and upland areas. Click on the map for the forecast itself and click here for how to assess risk and what action to take.
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