The Parasight

Getting lambs and calves off to the best start - March 2026

Description: this month, Ben explains the key areas to consider before lambs and calves are born, helping to give them the best possible start in life. He then highlights several important watch-outs when dealing with dummy calves. Ben also covers the common causes of infectious abortion in sheep, outlining practical steps that can help prevent them in future seasons. Finally, Ben explains the importance of submitting placentas for abortion diagnosis.

Worm risk and seasonal pasture strategies - January 2026

Description: this month, Ben breaks down seasonal pasture risk levels based on recent sheep and cattle activity and explains the associated worm risk. He follows this with strategies for making the most effective use of low-risk pasture. Ben then explains how worm larvae can survive a hot, dry summer and outlines practical ways to manage this risk before the rain arrives. He goes on to highlight key points to consider when scanning thin ewes and hoggs. He also covers a few watch-outs for pneumonia in cattle and strategies to help prevent it. Finally, Ben shares important considerations when dealing with moudly bales.

Worms, fluke & housing: what to know - November 2025

Description: this month, Ben explains how the recent change in weather is affecting worm burdens on pasture, including the potential treatment options to use during this period. He then describes when shearlings develop immunity to worms and the various factors this depends on. Ben also discusses a case of fluke in a ewe and the importance of testing rather than routinely treating animals. Finally, he talks about making the transition to housing calves as smooth as possible and highlights the growing issue of wormer resistance in cattle.

Autumn challenges: pneumonia, worms & acorns - October 2025

Description: this month, Ben discusses the rise in cases of pasteurellosis in lambs. He explains the causes of pasteurella infection and the various stress factors that can worsen its effects. He then talks through the correlation between worms and pasteurellosis. Ben also highlights the risk of acorn poisoning for grazing livestock this autumn. Finally, he shares key considerations for managing lambs going away on winter keep and gives a reminder about quarantine drenching all incoming sheep.

Thought it was Haemonchus, turned out to be Fluke - September 2025

Description: this month, Ben highlights key watch-outs with haemonchus, discussing a case he recently reviewed. He then goes on to explain the difference in growth rates between lambs that have been wormed and those that haven’t. After, he covers various strategies for maximising lamb growth rates. Finally, he discusses a few cases where stock died from consuming poisonous plants, emphasising important considerations.

Weather and worms: farm risks explained - August 2025

Description: this month, Ben emphasises how weather patterns influence disease risk and provides an update on how current conditions are affecting parasite activity. He reports a high number of Haemonchus cases in certain areas across the country and outlines the key signs to look for during a post-mortem. He stresses that each farm is different, and that specific farm issues should be considered before selecting treatment options.

Ben also shares a few recent cases of Nematodirus in lambs and discusses how to respond, depending on post-mortem findings. Finally, he explains the link between grass length and worm risk in lambs and discusses options for managing that risk.

Mastitis and worms: hidden challenges for lambs - July 2025

Description: this month, Ben covers a few cases of mastitis in ewes, discussing contributing factors, treatment options, and the impact on lamb growth rates. He then explores the causes of poor lamb growth, strategies to prevent it, and how this can affect future worm burdens.

Ben then covers how current grass growth is influencing worm burdens and the resulting impact on lamb performance, along with the diseases that can arise during periods of increased grass growth. Finally, he discusses a case in which two seemingly healthy lambs died unexpectedly and explains how targeted WEC monitoring can help prevent similar losses.

Cattle health: worm control watch outs - June 2025

Description: this month, Ben discusses two cases highlighting the importance of timely diagnostics and worm control in cattle.

In the first case, a group of spring-born calves were found to have a low worm burden following a composite worm egg count test. However, by mid-March, three calves began to lose condition. All were treated with a wormer, but one died shortly after. Post-mortem findings revealed type 2 ostertagiasis. This is followed by a discussion on the watch outs of worm egg count tests and other diagnostic options available.

Ben also covers a case involving bought-in heifers, which were wormed one month after housing. One died ten days after calving. A post-mortem revealed adult lungworms, raising concerns about potential anthelmintic resistance.

Coccidiosis, Nematodirus & Haemonchus - May 2025

Description: this month, Ben first covers why lambs are dying from starvation and chilling. He then goes on to explain the current situation with coccidiosis and nematodirus in lambs, including when to watch out for them. Finally, Ben discusses a 200-ewe flock diagnosed with haemonchosis, highlighting how this parasite might be adapting to become more cold-tolerant and pose an early-season threat the following year.

Treating fluke: common problems - April 2025

Description: this month, Ben shares two cases. In the first, bought-in hoggs were found to have resistant worms, highlighting the importance of using a quarantine dose such as the group 4 wormer Zolvix™. In the second case, Haemonchus was found, indicating that worms had overwintered in the hogg’s abomasum. Finally, Ben warns that as spring has arrived, it’s worth thinking about which parasites are on the move and how to prevent them.

Treating fluke: common problems - March 2025

Description: This month, Ben discusses the unpredictability of liver fluke this season,  which is influenced by the mild winter and wet conditions. He explains the importance of identifying the stage of fluke you’re targeting to select the correct treatment, as well as the diagnostics needed for accurate treatment. Ben also shares a few fluke cases, including one where housed tups were treated with triclabendazole, but resistance was suspected after continued condition loss and a death. He then explains what could have been done differently, including the tests available. Ben also describes how liver fluke in cattle can act as a reservoir. Finally, Ben touches on infectious abortion in sheep and emphasises the importance of analysing silage for pregnant suckler cows to ensure optimum cow health.