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CurrentFluke risk in the area generally remains low, but it is acknowledged that there will be pockets of high risk pastures, so testing may now be appropriate in some cases. Rumen fluke risk is similarly low (and less likely to be clinically significant).
Parasitic gastroenteritis risk remains high for all species.
Haemonchus risk (in sheep) is also high - this blood sucking gut roundworm does not cause diarrhoea and can look very similar to acute liver fluke infection, causing weight loss and anaemia. In contrast to other gut roundworms, adult sheep are also at risk.
Be alert to the risk of lungworm in cattle - coughing in several animals within a group, or in lactating cows a sudden drop in milk may occur without severe coughing (of course there are many other possible reasons for this!).
Don't forget quarantine treatments for purchased sheep to avoid introducing resistant parasites. Incoming sheep should be yarded for 1-2 days before being treated with 2 different wormers, including at least one of the newer group 4 or 5 products. They should then be turned out onto dirty pasture and kept isolated for at least 3 weeks before mixing with home sheep. During this time they should also be blood tested for scab and treated if necessary. The risk of liver fluke should be assessed and if necessary, treatment given. For more detailed advice, view the SCOPS website