Article Status:
CurrentNematodirus risk is developing - this is almost entirely a threat for lambs aged 6-12 weeks old. Watch for sudden onset diarrhoea and weight loss, and do not delay treatment (with white drench) should these symptoms start to be seen in young lambs.
Other gut roundworms may start being an issue as soon as many larvae will have successfully overwintered this year. Start monitoring with worm egg counts once lambs are 6-7wks old - test before clinical signs are seen, as growth rates will start to suffer before classic signs of worms are seen.
Young cattle which were housed with a high gut roundworm burden and not treated successfully at housing may suffer from a mass emergence of dormant worms in the gut wall, triggering diarrhoea. Consider treatment with a product licensed against "hypobiosed" larvae.
Sampling first year grazing cattle around 6 weeks post-turnout can be really helpful at guiding treatment through the grazing season.
Liver fluke: now is a good time to check both cattle and sheep to see if fluke is present - due to last year's conditions most samples have been negative this season so you may save yourself a job by testing!