Research project Implement and validate a non-invasive decision support tool for sustainable worm control in young livestock

General introduction

Addressing worm control in young cattle in a more sustainable manner is feasible if a smart decision tool were available to veterinarians and livestock producers. This is the starting point of the WORMTOOL project. In Flanders, many young cattle are still put out to pasture. The animals then run the risk of infection with gastrointestinal worms, which, if not treated adequately, have a lifelong impact on growth and productivity. It is becoming increasingly difficult to control the infections because the worms have built up resistances to conventional drugs. A better approach than treating the whole herd preventively - which is now standard practice - is to act more selectively, at the most appropriate time and frequency. In practice, this requires expert support, in part from the decision tool mentioned.

Research approach

A first version of the tool is built based on existing knowledge. The testing and optimization phase is the biggest work in this project. On 45 cattle farms happen and systematic tests to validate the technical effectiveness, get the tool as user-friendly as possible according to the needs of farmers and veterinarians. We are also collecting data that demonstrate and validate the economic added value of the tool in practical conditions. Finally, workshops will be organized to demonstrate the tool and collect feedback.

Relevance/Valorization

We expect WORMTOOL to help farmers and veterinarians apply more targeted treatments. The researchers consciously avoid mandating (rather expensive and or invasive) systemic diagnostic techniques. These include manure tests and fecal egg counts (FECs), determinations of serum pepsinogen and determinations of anti-Ostertagia antibodies in (tank) milk.