Latest News

Liver Fluke - Treating livestock early this autumn is not an insurance policy against infection, warn SCOPS and COWS groups Farmers considering whether to treat livestock for liver fluke this autumn are being urged by experts from the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainably (COWS) groups to use the testing available to decide if they need to treat, and when. 10th October 2025 Read More
Quarantine protocols crucial as autumn sales ramp up With the sales of ewes and rams in full swing, SCOPS (Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep) is reminding farmers of the importance of an effective quarantine protocol - not only to protect their existing flock but also their new purchases. 26th September 2025 Read More
SCOPS and COWS welcome BVA's latest policy and highlight extent of work already done Members of the groups Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Worms Sustainably (COWS), welcome the recognition by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) of the need for a cohesive strategy to tackle future parasiticide resistance, with the publication of their new policy on responsible use of parasiticides in grazing animals (July 2025). 11th August 2025 Read More
Time your Group 4 and 5 wormers right this season, says SCOPS The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) is advising farmers on the importance of using Group 4-AD (monepantel) and Group 5-SI (derquantel) wormer actives in lambs as a mid-to-late season dose to help manage resistance and support optimal growth rates. 6th August 2025 Read More
SCOPS urges farmers to use faecal egg counts and monitor lamb performance following recent rainfall   Following recent showers across some parts of the UK including South East and North West England, the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) are urging sheep farmers to be extra vigilant in monitoring parasite burdens and lamb performance. 15th July 2025 Read More
Think it's Haemonchus? Don't panic - test first to be sure.  SCOPS (Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep) is encouraging farmers and the wider sheep industry to stay alert and informed as Haemonchus contortus - commonly known as Barber’s Pole worm - gains more attention across the UK.   While recent reports and testing suggest increased interest and possible cases of haemonchosis (disease associated with Haemonchus infections) appearing further north across the country, the reasons aren’t fully understood yet. 10th June 2025 Read More
SCOPS at NSA North Sheep Come and meet the people behind SCOPS at NSA North Sheep this Wednesday 4th June.  The event is being held at Greystoke Castle Farm, Penrith by kind permission of the Peile family. SCOPS technical consultant Nerys Wright says " This is the perfect opportunity to come and meet some of the experts of the SCOPS group. 2nd June 2025 Read More
SCOPS and COWS urge sheep and cattle producers to remain vigilant as the liver fluke risks extends into Spring 2025 The season for disease due to Liver Fluke in cattle and sheep has been shifting later, and 2024/5 is no exception warn SCOPS and COWS. ‘Historically, we would have expected to see acute/sub-acute disease in grazing livestock during the autumn and early winter’ says Philip Skuce of Moredun. 3rd April 2025 Read More
SCOPS Nematodirus Forecast: Essential tool for determining flock risk amid recent warmer weather   The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) Group is once again offering its invaluable Nematodirus Forecast to help farmers, vets and advisers identify when lambs might be at risk of exposure to nematodirus, ensuring timely and effective interventions. 19th March 2025 Read More
SCOPS encourages farmers to consider their pre-lambing worming treatments this year. The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) Group advocates a targeted approach to parasite control in ewes, emphasising the importance of assessing ewe condition and utilising faecal egg counts (FECs) to determine the need for worming ewes pre-lambing. 26th February 2025 Read More
SCOPS and COWS urge use of FECs to manage ongoing liver fluke threat Within the range of tools available to producers to monitor liver fluke, experts in the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Worms Sustainably (COWS) groups are promoting faecal egg counts (FECs) at this point in the risk period. 11th February 2025 Read More
SCOPS investigates new tools to help determine worm species on sheep farms Working with partners Biobest and Queens University Belfast, the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is exploring a method that could provide farmers and their vets and advisers with valuable information on the worm species present in dung samples. 31st January 2025 Read More

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