Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Internal Parasite Welfare Management

Gastro-intestinal parasites including Haemonchus contortus cause significant welfare harm in sheep. Integrated parasite management reduces welfare burden and anthelmintic resistance.

Key Facts

Haemonchus contortus (barber's pole worm) causes anaemia, diarrhoea, and death in sheep
Anthelmintic resistance is widespread globally, reducing the effectiveness of routine worming
Targeted selective treatment using FAMACHA scoring treats only clinically affected animals
Refugia-based management leaving some untreated animals maintains drug-sensitive worm populations
Pasture management including rotation and resting reduces pasture contamination and larval challenge

Welfare Considerations

Gastro-intestinal parasite welfare is a chronic, invisible burden that causes suffering across sheep populations without obvious external signs in early stages. The development of anthelmintic resistance makes targeted management both a welfare necessity and an economic imperative. Integrated approaches combining targeted treatment, genetic selection for resistance, and pasture management provide the most sustainable welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Support farmer training in integrated parasite management approaches for sheep
Advocate for anthelmintic resistance monitoring and reporting requirements in sheep farming
Choose lamb from farms demonstrating sustainable parasite management programs
Support research into genetic selection for parasite resistance in sheep breeds