The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is pleased to announce that Somerset Sheep Farmer Olly Matthews has been appointed as its new Deputy Chair.

Olly, a former National Sheep Association (NSA) South West Region Chairman, farms in partnership with his brother Edward on the edge of the Exmoor National Park between Taunton and Minehead. He explains their enterprise: “Currently we are farming 1,700 Romney cross sheep of our own and 450 Exlana stud ewes on a share farming agreement. We also have 25 pedigree Aberdeen Angus suckler cows and have 300 Angus cross youngstock on the farm through the summer. We are trying to make the best use of forage wherever we can and do a lot of rotational grazing.”

Olly demonstrated a clear understanding and appreciation of the value of the SCOPS principles during the competitive selection process. He says: “With a fairly sheep-heavy system, we are constantly trying not to run into problems with worms and don’t want to create problems for the future, so we have followed the SCOPS guidelines for many years now.

“Sheep farmers face many challenges but I consider resistance to anthelmintics as one of the most challenging health issues facing the sector. SCOPS has been instrumental in raising awareness of this over recent years. By using the advice the group produces, farmers are now making the effort to protect the efficacy of the different wormers and using this information to help reduce reliance on chemicals.”

As Deputy Chair, Olly will support SCOPS Chair Kevin Harrison and will help develop sufficient understanding and involvement in SCOPS. He says: “I hope I can bring my enthusiasm for sheep farming into the position, as well as a practical opinion on how things can be implemented on the farm. I believe the profile of SCOPS has really grown over recent years, and I am proud to now be part of that. Services SCOPS offers, such as the Nematodirus Forecast, are now well known and valued.”

For more information on the SCOPS group please visit www.scops.org.uk.