Holistic approach to internal parasite control on hill and upland sheep farms

This PhD proposal will investigate ways to optimise roundworm and liver fluke control in hill and upland sheep, to address the issue of increased anthelmintic resistance in flocks. In Scotland, there are ~ 15,000 hill and upland farms with sheep, representing ~60% of the whole agricultural area. Despite this predominance, sheep production on these farms is becoming increasingly challenging. Currently, roundworm and fluke control is achieved by anthelmintic use at flock level, but regular whole-flock treatment may select strongly for resistance. Alternative options available to control parasites whilst maintaining drug efficacy, include faecal egg count (FEC) monitoring, Targeted Selective anthelmintic Treatment (TST), pasture management and host genetic selection. However, their effectiveness will depend on the willingness and ability of farmers to implement them on their farms, as each option will have different financial and management implications.
Recent research on the use of a weight-based precision livestock farming TST method has been carried out by the Moredun Research Institute (MRI) and SRUC, with promising results in terms of reduced use of anthelmintics by 40-50% without adversely affecting lamb production.
This project will identify the scale of anthelmintic related issues faced by hill and upland sheep farmers, by gathering questionnaire information from both farmers and veterinary practices. In parallel, focus farms will be identified, their parasite challenge assessed and their approach to internal parasite control monitored over a full production year. After initial data collection and analysis, customised options for parasite control will be proposed, implemented and monitored on focus farms over the next production year. Sampling protocols and analysis will be performed by the student and monitored by staff at SRUC, MRI and UoE. Forecasting bio-economic modelling will be used to test the options available. After implementation, economic and performance data will be collected, to analyse the economic effects of improved disease control at farm level. This will allow practical recommendations on optimum internal parasites control on hill and upland sheep farms to be made.
Objectives:
1. Identify the internal parasite challenge on hill and upland sheep farms
2. Identify, test and monitor options for internal parasite control on case study/focus farms (n ~12, including sample collection and analysis)
3. Propose optimum methods of internal parasite control
4. Obtain and assess feedback from farmers on implemented methods
5. Identify and model the economic effects of holistic internal parasite control at farm level

Research Training: The student will be integrated into the Parasitology group at MRI, will have regular contact/visits to SRUC Hill and Mountain Research Centre and UoE and will be included in KE from on-going projects e.g. EU-COST COMBAR. MRI has extensive experience in research and application of practical and sustainable control strategies for helminth parasites of livestock and SRUC has applied TST approaches to their hill flock, extensive experience in farm systems approaches and economic analysis. The student will learn a range of applied parasitology skills, and novel molecular species identification techniques, as well as protocols for conducting and analysing questionnaires and computer modelling. Both MRI and SRUC have close relationships with the farming community, all supervisors actively engage in KE at local and national events and the student would be encouraged to participate.