18 April 2023

Assessing the resistance status of your farm

The ability of wormers to work effectively is important for livestock production systems in Ireland. However, the continued use of wormers leads to the development of drug resistant worms, known as anthelmintic resistance.

Given the challenges associated with anthelmintic resistance, all cattle and sheep farmers should consider applying for Animal Health Ireland’s (AHI’s) Parasite Control TASAH Consult.

This is a free and voluntary programme supported as part of the Rural Development Plan 2014-2022, co-funded by the Irish government and the EU. All Irish herds and flocks are eligible to take part in the programme for 2023.

The purpose of the Parasite Control TASAH is to facilitate discussions and planning between farmers and their veterinary practitioners on the best practices around parasite control with the long view of minimising the further development of anthelmintic resistance. The TASAH will fund a veterinary farm visit and two faecal egg counts, which may be the starting point to assessing the resistance status of your farm.

Herd and flock owners who had registered for the programme in 2022 will be automatically re-enrolled and will be eligible for a visit again this year, while new entrants to the programme are also accepted.

More information, a map containing all participating veterinary practitioners and the link to register for the programme is available on the AHI website.