Farmer Workshops to Focus on Worm and Fluke Strategies

Sheep farmers are invited to attend one of a series of free workshops focusing on effective worm and fluke strategies, set to be held throughout Scotland over the coming weeks.   The seven practical workshops are funded by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and will be delivered by vet and sheep specialist Dr Fiona Lovatt of Flock Health Ltd.    They will be held on farms or local auction markets in the following areas - Inverness, Galashiels, Lockerbie, Oban, Stirling, Wick and Dundee and will run with full involvement of both the local vets and agricultural merchants.     These farmer-focused meetings will look at the challenges farmers face in controlling fluke and worm problems in their flocks and highlight best practice in diagnosis, control, treatment and pasture management.    There will also be practical demonstrations helping farmers to apply the principles to their own flocks and highlighting approaches to handling and weighing animals as well as faecal egg counting.   “These interactive workshops will address the challenges that sheep farmers face when trying to manage worms and fluke in their flocks,” said Dr Lovatt, who will be speaking at these events.   “Farmers who attend will be offered information on effective diagnosis, treatment and control. There will also be opportunities to apply this to their own farm situations.   “Attendance at the workshops will assist farmers to evaluate the parasite challenge they have on their farms and develop practical solutions to minimise production losses due to worms and fluke in the future.”   Michael Blanche, QMS Knowledge Transfer Specialist and sheep farmer, added: “The main aim of the workshops we will be hosting around the country is to assist sheep farmers to confidently develop effective worm and fluke strategies for their own farms for the winter months and beyond.”   Attendance at these workshops is free and lunch is provided. Please note that clean boots are essential for biosecurity.   To reserve a place at one of these workshops please phone QMS on 0131 472 4040 or email info@qmscotland.co.uk    Workshop details   Monday 24 October Dunain Mains Farm, Inverness, IV3 8JX, by kind permission of Donald Fraser  12.00pm – 4.30pm   Tuesday 25 October Quoybrae Auction Mart, Caithness Livestock Centre, Watten, Wick, KW1 5UN  12.00pm – 4.30pm   Monday 31 October Bankhouse Farm, Stow, TD1 2SU by kind permission of Graham Lofthouse  12.00pm – 4.30pm   Tuesday 1 November Stirling Agricultural Centre, Stirling, FK9 4RN 12.00pm – 4.30pm   Wednesday 2 November Oban Livestock Centre, Oban, PA34 4SD 12.00pm – 4.30pm   Friday 4 November  Balkemback Farm, Tealing, by Dundee, DD4 0RF by kind permission of Sandy and Julie Duncan  12.00pm – 4.30pm   Monday 5 December Lockerbie Livestock centre, Sydney Place, Lockerbie, DG11 2JA  12.00pm – 4.30pm