A new plant-derived flukicide: increased farm profitability and reduced carbon footprint by overcoming losses caused by existing flukicide resistance

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Liver fluke (LF) infections in cattle/sheep are a major economic problem for farmers, and an animal welfare issue. Resistance to current drugs is growing rapidly worldwide, and there are few new drugs in development. Resistance reduces milk-yield and extends the time-to-market for meat, leading to significant additional methane production.Common ivy contains a molecule that partly controls LF in sheep. This project will optimise its effect, developing a drug that efficiently controls LF and overcomes resistance, creating a supply chain from cultivating ivy to a livestock treatment. This would increase feed-use efficiency, improve animal welfare and reduce greenhouse gas production.