Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Twitter LinkedIn
    • FREE Email Newsletters
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
    Twitter LinkedIn
    Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    • News
      • Arable & Agronomy
      • Dealership News
      • Environmental Land Management Scheme/Policy
      • Event News
      • Health & Safety
      • Machinery
      • People
      • World News
    • Farm Machinery
      • Amenity & Maintenance
      • Cultivations
      • Drilling
      • Grassland Equipment
      • Harvesting
      • Muck & Slurry
      • Sprayers
      • Telehandlers
      • Tractors
      • Tractor of the Year
      • Tyres & Tracks
      • Whatever happened to?
    • Precision Farming
    • Markets & Policy
    • Profiles
      • National Arable and Grassland Awards
      • Company Profiles
      • Reader Profiles
    • Livestock
      • Beef
      • Dairy
      • Sheep
    • Magazines
      1. September 2025 issue
      2. August 2025 issue
      3. 2025 Drills and Seeds supplement
      4. July 2025 issue
      5. June 2025 issue
      6. Cereals event guide 2025
      7. May 2025 issue
      8. April 2025 issue
      9. March 2025 issue
      10. 2025 Tyre Developments supplement
      11. February 2025 issue
      12. National Arable and Grassland Awards supplement
      13. January 2025 issue
      14. December 2024 issue
      15. November 2024 issue
      16. October 2024 issue
      17. September 2024 issue
      18. August 2024 Issue
      19. 2024 Drills and Seeds supplement
      20. July 2024 Issue
      21. Cereals Supplement
      22. June 2024 Issue
      23. May 2024 Issue
      24. April 2024 Issue
      25. Tyres and Tracks Supplement
      26. March 2024 Issue
      27. National Arable & Grassland Award – Meet the Finalists
      28. February 2024 Issue
      29. January 2024 Issue
      30. December 2023
      31. Agritechnica Preview Supplement
      32. November 2023
      33. October 2023
      Featured

      September 2025 issue available now

      By Matthew TiltSeptember 1, 2025
      Recent

      September 2025 issue available now

      September 1, 2025

      August 2025 issue available now

      August 1, 2025

      2025 Drills and Seeds supplement available now

      August 1, 2025
    • Events
    • Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Dairy

    High liver fluke risk this autumn

    chrislyddonBy chrislyddonSeptember 19, 20162 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

    Farmers are warned to be proactive with liver fluke management this autumn to ensure no adverse effects to cattle performance are seen, given the high liver fluke risk this year.

    Dr Andy Forbes, Control of Worms Sustainability (COWS) technical representative and honorary professor at the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine, explains that due to the warmest winter on record for England and Wales this year, and a wet start to the summer, conditions have been ideal for the survival and development of the host snails and the free-living stages of liver fluke.

    “Liver fluke is a disease that costs UK agriculture up to £300 million a year through the supply chain alone, with over 245,000 cattle livers rejected in abattoirs annually.

    “However, on-farm costs are likely to be much higher than this, though sometimes less obvious, through poor performance, missed production targets and increased spend on feed and veterinary treatments.

    “It’s therefore vital to keep on top of the disease from both a welfare and economic perspective,” he says.

    He explains that liver fluke can often be subclinical in cattle, and so it can be difficult for producers to see the direct effect it has on the animal. “What they often overlook is the effect of fluke on growth rates from decreased feed intake, and a gradual loss in animal condition, resulting in extended fattening periods in youngstock and reduced milk yield in cows, which can all affect the bottom line,” he adds.

    “Producers need to make sure they consult with their vet or SQP to develop and implement an effective control plan to help keep on top of the disease.

    “Ideally, it should take into account the COWS 5 R’s, and consider both management strategies such as avoiding high risk fluke pastures this autumn, as well as anthelmintic treatment, which may be necessary now, and certainly needs to be implemented over the winter housing period.

    “It is vital that your control plan is farm specific. There is no one size fits all solution to parasite control. But, working with your vet or SQP is key to liver fluke control this autumn,” says Dr Forbes.

    For more information on the sustainable control of cattle parasites, please visit the COWS website at: www.cattleparasites.org.uk or follow us on twitter @COWSworms.

    Tweet
    Share
    Share
    Pin
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
    Previous ArticleCream Awards recognise the best in UK dairying
    Next Article 28 new Claas apprentices start their training
    chrislyddon

    Read Similar Stories

    Lely expands robotic milking range

    August 13, 2025

    Hi-Spec to introduce new diet feeder at Royal Highland

    June 16, 2025

    Lely introduces the Vector MFR Next

    April 3, 2025
    Most Read Stories

    New crop protection and nutrition options from Kverneland

    September 12, 2025

    Front mowers and CTF-ready butterfly units from Krone

    September 11, 2025

    Kverneland updates shearbolt plough range

    September 11, 2025
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer

    The UK's leading agricultural machinery journal

    Twitter LinkedIn
    © 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

    Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Terms & Conditions

    • Farmers Weekly
    • AA Farmer
    • Poultry News
    • Pig World

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.