Over the past year diagnostic testing uptake has grown significantly
One Year On: CVS Farm Practices Report Major Progress In Sustainable Parasite Control Through Its Sheep Faecal Egg Counting Project
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One year on from relaunching its targeted Sheep Faecal Egg Counting (FEC) campaign, CVS Farm practices have reported strong progress in helping farmers adopt more sustainable, evidence‑based approaches to parasite control across the UK.
The 2026 update shows substantial growth in diagnostic testing, greater farmer engagement, and clearer evidence that regular FECs are supporting more effective and responsible flock management.
Sheep parasites remain a significant challenge for UK producers, with fluctuating seasonal worm burdens and rising anthelmintic resistance continuing to place pressure on flock health and productivity. In peak years, such as 2022, national monitoring schemes reported strongyle counts exceeding 950 eggs per gram - highlighting the need for regular monitoring and more precise treatment strategies across grazing systems.
In response, fifteen CVS Farm practices across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland relaunched the FEC programme in 2025, encouraging farmers to undertake routine worm egg counting every three to four weeks throughout the grazing season. This approach allows vets and farmers to identify issues earlier, avoid unnecessary treatments, improve productivity and reduce the risk of anthelmintic resistance.
Over the past year, uptake has grown significantly. In 2025, CVS Farm practices carried out 2,913 worm egg counts and 371 fluke egg counts, representing a three‑fold increase on previous years. The programme also supported 651 cattle gut worm investigations and 237 bovine fluke investigations, enabling a more integrated approach to parasite management across mixed enterprises.
Central to the programme’s success has been the introduction of OvaCyte diagnostic technology in every CVS Farm practice. The equipment enables accurate worm egg counts to be completed in as little as 20 minutes, allowing farmers to drop off samples and receive same‑day results. Where treatment is required, farmers can leave the practice with the correct product and a clear, tailored plan. Follow‑up tests one to two weeks after dosing have also become routine, helping vets verify treatment efficacy and identify any early signs of resistance.
Based on each flock’s parasite profile, grazing system and historic resistance patterns, CVS Farm vets have continued to recommend targeted anthelmintic and anticoccidial treatments. Wherever possible, narrow‑spectrum wormers have been prioritised, with combination products reserved for cases in which they are genuinely necessary. This approach supports sustainable parasite control while helping preserve the long‑term efficacy of key medicine groups.
Reflecting on progress, Steven Carragher, Farm Quality Improvement Lead at CVS Farm, said: “This past year has shown just how willing farmers are to adopt sustainable parasite control when accurate, accessible diagnostics are made available. Regular FECs give farmers the confidence to treat only when needed, and the surge in follow‑up testing has been vital in identifying early signs of resistance. Evidence‑led decision making is now becoming part of routine flock management across our practices.”
The project has also strengthened collaboration between farmers, vets, vet techs and administrative teams, with all practice colleagues trained to support sampling, testing and interpretation. Many farmers have reported greater confidence in tackling parasite challenges, with improved welfare, reduced medicine use and more efficient dosing schedules.
Looking ahead, CVS Farm aims to further expand farmer participation and strengthen education around sustainable parasite control. The division is now exploring ways to integrate FEC data into broader flock health planning, ensuring parasite management continues to align with its One Health approach to responsible, preventative veterinary care.
CVS Farm veterinary division has over 120 vets in 15 modern farm and poultry specific practices nationwide. Its practices offer a comprehensive range of services, with a focus on helping its clients prevent disease and maximise efficiency of production on their farms. CVS Farm’s collective knowledge, clinical skills and buying power enables it to assist its clients with the most cost-effective solutions to all their animal medicine requirements.
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