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).
The SCOPS Nematodirus Hatching Forecast is designed to help sheep farmers, vets and advisers decide IF and WHEN lambs grazing contaminated pasture may require treatment to prevent disease caused by Nematodirus larvae.
The importance of temperature on the hatching of larvae means that the risk to young lambs varies significantly from year to year, between areas of the country and even between fields on the same farm.
The SCOPS forecast is based on the temperature thresholds required for the larvae to hatch and indicates when peak hatching is likely in an area. It should always be used in conjunction with a risk assessment for individual groups of lambs.
Stay informed and protect your flock by tuning in to all three series of the SCOPS podcasts.
Designed specifically for sheep farmers, these practical and informative episodes can be listened to anywhere — in the lambing shed, in the car, or while out checking stock. Access the podcasts directly here or through your usual podcast platform.
Across the three series, leading experts cover key flock health topics including haemonchosis (barber’s pole worm), liver fluke, sheep scab, and best-practice quarantine procedures — helping you make informed decisions and strengthen parasite control on your farm.
