Description
Parasites resistant to deworming agents are an increasing problem. One way to slow down the development of resistance is to deworm only those individuals in the flock that need deworming and leave the rest unwormed. This method is called target-selective treatment and the idea is to reduce the total volume of dewormer needed but, more importantly, to retain parasites that are sensitive to the parasiticide - if all individuals are dewormed, the risk is that the only parasites left are the resistant ones.Smart Worm app determines individuals' deworming needs based on weight, growth, expected growth based on control animals, weather, faecal sample results, bait quality, bait quantity and treatment history. Weighing and deworming is recommended once a month.
The system has been trialled in Irish and UK conditions, and New Zealand has also tested the app with promising results. So far, the app has not been tested in herds where the main problem is Haemonchus (the large stomach worm), but trials are being carried out in New Zealand in 2024. Even in herds without Haemonchus in Sweden, it is difficult to say how the app would affect the overall deworming need and the health of the lambs. Crucial to good logistics when working with the app is that the lambs are tagged with electronic ear tags and that the weighing system can automatically sort the lambs into at least two pens.