August’s National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS) Parasite Forecast warns farmers that the wet and warm weather seen so far this summer are “near perfect” conditions for fluke and worms to thrive. With a return to wetter conditions predicted, parasite development should continue to be accelerated.

Fiona MacGillivray, Merial Animal Health’s Veterinary Adviser, says that it’s more important than ever that treatments against worms and fluke are considered in cattle at grass.

She says: “Pour-on treatments are often chosen for their convenience but, unless the pour-on is rain-fast, you might as well be pouring money down the drain. Rain-fastness has never been so important this season. Products should be able to be used in wet weather conditions; the alternative may be either a drench or injectable treatment.

“Parasites are having a field day so it’s really important to make sure that the wormers and flukicides you use are able to cope with the rain.”

The forecast says that wet summers are associated with an increased risk of liver fluke disease during the autumn and winter months. June rainfall is often a good guide to the likely prevalence of fluke disease in the autumn, and conditions this year indicate that 2012/13 could be a high risk fluke season.

Fiona advises that stock should be dosed with a flukicide around eight to 12 weeks after turnout to reduce the release of eggs from cattle infected already with adult egg-laying fluke, thus reducing the infection of snails and infection on the pastures in autumn/winter this year. Farmers should be vigilant for any signs of disease this month too.

She adds: “Local farm conditions may vary so farmers need to consult their veterinary surgeon. Parasite control should be part of their veterinary health plan.”

Visit www.nadis.org.uk to see the full NADIS Parasite Forecast, sponsored by Merial Animal Health.