Although we are now considered a low-risk area, geographically, young lambs are still naïve from around 6 weeks of age. It is a very rapid-acting parasite, which can cause severe black scours and death in worst cases or ill thrift in milder cases. The best way to identify your risk level is to use the SCOPS forecast. Your farm may also be considered high risk if you are grazing this year’s lambs on pasture that was grazed by infected lambs/carriers the previous year. Due to the short prepatent period* it is difficult for us to always identify on WEC. Please speak to one of our Farm Vets to discuss your risk level.
Treatment using a white wormer is recommended for Nematodirus. The best way to avoid the issue is to graze lambs aged 6-12 weeks on fields that were not grazed by lambs of a similar age last year. Adults have good immunity to Nematodirus.
*The duration between when a host is infected with a parasite and when the parasite or its products (like eggs or larvae) can be detected in the host.
Marketing Executive
