Cattle producers in northern England are needed for a project that aims to help control liver fluke in cattle.

The project will trial a control programme across 10 farms to see whether management changes can be effective in reducing the level of fluke infection in cattle.

The work is funded by a multi-centre grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) in partnership with AHDB, Hybu Cyg Cymru (HCC), Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and Agrisearch Northern Ireland.

To take part in the project, producers will need to:

• Have a commercial beef cattle enterprise

• Be within a two hour radius of Liverpool

• Be willing to implement fluke control measures over the course of a year

• Have cattle grazing outside for several months each year

• Have a history of liver fluke infection

• Have a breeding sheep flock on farm

• Be planning on buying at least five cows during the year

Rebecca Colman, AHDB Beef & Lamb Research Scientist, said: “Flukicide resistance is on the rise and there is increasing emphasis on reducing reliance on blanket herd drug treatment for parasite control.

“Those who take part in the project will benefit from access to fluke test results for their herd, along with treatment as required and expert advice on pastures at risk of fluke and infection levels in snails.”

If accepted on to the project, producers will be visited by the project team to gather information about the farm, current parasite control and to test cattle for fluke. Based on this information and assessment of the pastures, a bespoke fluke control plan for the farm will be drawn up.

Participants of the project will receive:

• Fluke test results at the end of the project
• Free fluke treatment products as required according to the plan
• Advice on fluke risk pastures, information about fluke infection levels in snails
• £50 per half day to compensate the time when we are testing your cattle

Researchers will need to be on farm for two or three half days. Temporary fencing, preferably electric, will be required. This can be discussed with the team.

For more information, please contact Rebecca Colman at Rebecca.colman@ahdb.org.uk or call 07772 598 412.