FECPAK - proven to be effective in sheep and cattle
Evaluation of regular faecal egg counting practices on farms; effect on anthelmintic use and animal performance.
Results from the EU-funded PARASOL research project show that, with the right equipment and guidance, farmers can accurately carry out faecal egg counts, giving them a better understanding of the roundworm problems on their farm and helping them to target treatment when it is needed. On average the number of doses administered was reduced by 35% per year which resulted in an average financial saving of £663 per farm per year on sheep wormer costs alone. The reduced reliance on anthelmintics should also help delay wormer resistance on their properties.
PARASOL project summary results
The benefits of regular FEC testing – survey results
“FEC test helps cut resistance risk” Farmers Weekly July 2008
Here’s what the PARASOL project farmers felt about FECPAK
10 farms ranging from Hill to Lowland and located across the UK participated in the project. These are their experiences:
Janet and Brian Hill, Isle of Bute, Argyle
"I continue to find the FECPAK system one of the most valuable tools on the farm. It gives me peace of mind that when I am drenching animals it is only when it is needed and that my money and effort hasn't been wasted" Read more about Janet and Brian's experience
Clive Rowland, Garrowby, Yorkshire
"I find it quite easy to pick up samples as I'm shepherding and with time I have become more confident in using the microscope. I will certainly continue to use FECPAK once this project has finished as it has more than paid for itself." Read more about Clive Rowland's experience
Ed Smith & Roland Sherrat, Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire
"Changing the wormer after finding that white drench was hardly killing anything has been of huge benefit. My lambs look like they used to years ago - drawing lambs for market hasn't been a problem this year - and I haven't used any creep feed!" Read more about Ed Smith & Roland Sherrat's experience
Dave Knight, Minehead, Somerset
"When the project finished I can't see me going back to just guessing when the sheep need worming. I will continue to use FECPAK and record FEC results. It's far less hassle than dosing sheep that don't need it." Read more about Dave Knight's experience
Alan Cowan, Stamfordham, Northumberland
"Although saving on drench costs is a benefit, the greatest advantage I have seen is that I now have confidence in only worming when it's needed and I can hopefully delay resistance to the levamisole and ML groups." Read more about Alan Cowan's experience
Alastair MacArthur, Elvanfoot, Lanarkshire
"I have found that testing FEC on farm has fitted in well with the overall management and farm work and reducing treatments has helped reduce the workload." Read more about Alastair MacArthur's experience
Aled Jones, Tregeiriog, Clwyd
"I have found FECPAK to be most useful for my lambs, especially after weaning and it has helped me understand the worm situation on the farm and which areas are most heavily infected." Read more about Aled Jones's experience
Andrew Nicholson, High Lorton, Cumbria
"It's been an eye-opener for me to realise how much wormer and time I have wasted in the past. I only drenched my crossbred lambs twice last year and they were ready for market quicker than usual." Read more about Andrew Nicholson's experience
PARAsite SOLutions
The EU-funded PARASOL research project ran from 2006 – 2009 and aimed to investigate and develop sustainable, low-input methods for internal parasite control in ruminants (Target Selective Treatments) in order to address growing concerns about current practices in the management of internal parasites in ruminants. The project involved 12 academic partners and 5 business ventures from 12 EU countries as well as Africa. The UK partners included the University of Bath, Department of Biology & Biochemistry, the University of Bristol, School of Veterinary Medicine, the Moredun Research Institute and Innovis Ltd.
Do you have the right tools?
Contact us on 01970 828236 or email enquiries@innovis.org.uk for more information on FECPAK and to discuss how FECPAK can help you to better control parasites in your flock or herd.
