"Moderate" Liver Fluke Risk For Most Irish Farms
IRELAND – Winter liver fluke risk is “moderate” for Irish livestock this year, although extra care may be needed on North West farms.
1 December 2014
1 minute read
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has advised that, after analysing rain over the last year, North West farms are “high risk”, particularly where soil is “less free-draining”.
Regional variations in rainfall and soil type were given as reasons for a “low risk” forecast in certain areas, particularly the south eastern region.
This is based on disease-forecasting models from the Irish weather office Met Éireann, and requires individual farm-assessment to be carried out.
Signs of ill-thrift or deaths in stock should be brought to the attention of veterinarians, advised the Department.
The Department added that, so far, liver fluke has been less of a problem in 2014 compared to recent years. Sheep deaths are lower, but farmers should stay vigilant.
TheCattleSite News Desk
