Locally contextualised parasite control frameworks that work alongside national guidance could have a real impact to support livestock farmers with parasite management.
Recent RAU graduate Henry Holder concentrated his dissertation research on how existing frameworks for parasite control be adapted to focus on local concerns and incentivise their use, and also how can historical, current and emerging techniques be blended into practical frameworks for regional farmers and their advisors.
He generously shared findings from his research project with Innovation for Agriculture, which are summarised in this parasite management 2-part mini series.
Parasite management frameworks work
The work of SCOPS, COWS and similar bodies are proven and effective. By reviewing the literature on parasite control, Henry found evidence that farms following SCOPS principles used significantly fewer benzimidazole treatments than those using traditional practices, and also that lambs managed under SCOPS guidance finished heavier despite reduced anthelmintic use, with no corresponding rise in worm burden.
The influence of local environment
What the research also showed, though, is just how much the local environment matters. Parasite burden can vary enormously between fields on the same farm, let alone between counties. Sheep scab, for instance, can become an entrenched, recurring problem on one farm while a neighbouring unit goes years without seeing a case. This variation underlines the value of advisers such as vets, RAMAs and consultants who know the specific farms they work with. It also highlights a gap, as national frameworks simply cannot capture local nuance.
Local information is more trusted
There's an educational dimension too. Evidence from outside the agricultural sector suggests people engage far more readily with information that's clearly relevant to their own area than with generic national guidance. Applied here, that suggests framework material written with a specific region in mind — typical burden, climate, grazing patterns — is more likely to be read, trusted and acted upon than a one-size-fits-all national document.
Farmers Henry surveyed for the research consistently agreed, as none of the farmers who took part in a questionnaire at Cirencester livestock market felt existing frameworks gave enough weight to local conditions.
Refining current guidance
Henry concluded that localisation of national parasite control guidance could use the same evidence base as existing national guidance, but adding burden patterns, seasonal risk, common resistance issues specific to each area. By adding this level of local nuance the information is more likely to land with the people it is meant to help.
Innovation for Agriculture thanks Henry Holder for his input into this article and sharing insights from his undergraduate research dissertation to enable others to benefit from them.
