title: Production impact of a targeted selective treatment system based on liveweight gain in a commercial flock.
abstract: The sustainability of sheep production is hindered by anthelmintic resistance. Options to slow down or prevent resistance have been widely studied but their application in the field is still limited. In this study, the practical application and effect of a targeted selective treatment (TST) approach for the treatment of parasitic gastroenteritis was investigated in lambs (n = 385) over a 2 year period. At 14-day intervals during the grazing season, liveweight, breech soiling and anthelmintic treatments were individually recorded. Selection of lambs for anthelmintic treatment in the TST group was based on pre-calculated individual growth rates, with a matched cohort routinely treated (RT) with anthelmintic drug every 6 weeks. The adoption of a TST approach had no negative effect on the liveweight gains of the lambs, time to finishing or breech soiling measures compared to RT lambs; however a 50% decrease in anthelmintic treatment was observed in the TST group. The time to implement this system averaged 2 min per lamb. It is concluded that the TST could be suitable for commercial sheep farms, in association with automated weighing systems, potentially reducing selection for anthelmintic resistance, while having no negative effect on production.
authors.affiliation: Scottish Centre for Production Animal Health and Food Safety, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK. Electronic address: vb94@hw.ac.uk.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Busin
authors.affiliation: Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kenyon
authors.affiliation: Scottish Centre for Production Animal Health and Food Safety, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Parkin
authors.affiliation: Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McBean
authors.affiliation: Clyde Veterinary Group, New Lanark Market, Lanark ML11 9SZ, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Laing
authors.affiliation: University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Sargison
authors.affiliation: Scottish Centre for Production Animal Health and Food Safety, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ellis
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000592:standards*; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D012606:Scotland; D012621:Seasons; D012756:Sheep / Q000254:growth & development; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics
keywords: Anthelmintic resistance; Breech soiling; Sheep; Targeted selective treatment; Weight gain