Holistic approach to internal parasite control on hill and upland sheep farms

这个博士提案将研究如何优化山羊和高地羊的蛔虫和肝吸虫控制，以解决羊群中抗虫性增加的问题。在苏格兰，大约有15000个山地和高地农场，有羊，占整个农业面积的60%。尽管这种优势，这些农场的羊生产正变得越来越具有挑战性。目前，蛔虫和吸虫的控制是通过在群体水平上使用驱虫药来实现的，但定期的全群体治疗可能会对抗性产生强烈的选择。在保持药物功效的同时控制寄生虫的备选方案包括监测粪卵数（FEC）、有针对性的选择性驱虫药治疗（TST）、牧场管理和宿主遗传选择。然而，它们的有效性将取决于农民在其农场实施它们的意愿和能力，因为每种选择都将涉及不同的财务和管理问题。最近，莫尔顿研究所（MRI）和SRUC开展了基于体重的精准畜牧TST方法的研究，在不影响羔羊生产的情况下，将驱虫剂的使用减少了40-50%，取得了令人满意的结果。该项目将通过收集农民和兽医的问卷信息，确定山地和高地羊农面临的与虫虫有关的问题的规模。与此同时，将确定重点养殖场，评估其寄生虫挑战，并在整个生产年度监测其内部寄生虫控制方法。在初步数据收集和分析之后，将在下一个生产年度在重点养殖场提出、实施和监测寄生虫控制的定制方案。采样协议和分析将由学生执行，并由SRUC， MRI和UoE的工作人员监控。预测生物经济模型将用于测试可用的选择。实施后，将收集经济和绩效数据，以分析改善农场一级疾病控制的经济效果。这将有助于对山地和高地羊场的最佳内部寄生虫控制提出实际建议。目的:1。确定山地和高地羊场的内部寄生虫挑战。在个案研究/重点养殖场确定、测试和监测内部寄生虫控制方案（n ~12个，包括样本收集和分析）提出体内寄生虫控制的最佳方法。获取和评估农民对实施方法的反馈。研究培训：该学生将被纳入MRI的寄生虫学小组，将定期与上海交通大学山地研究中心和UoE联系/访问，并将从正在进行的项目（如EU-COST COMBAR）中纳入KE。MRI在牲畜寄生虫的实际和可持续控制策略的研究和应用方面拥有丰富的经验，SRUC已将TST方法应用于其山地羊群，在农场系统方法和经济分析方面拥有丰富的经验。学生将学习一系列应用寄生虫学技能，新的分子物种鉴定技术，以及进行和分析问卷调查和计算机建模的协议。MRI和SRUC都与农业社区有着密切的关系，所有的主管都积极参与KE在当地和国家的活动，并鼓励学生参与。

This PhD proposal will investigate ways to optimise roundworm and liver fluke control in hill and upland sheep, to address the issue of increased anthelmintic resistance in flocks. In Scotland, there are ~ 15,000 hill and upland farms with sheep, representing ~60% of the whole agricultural area. Despite this predominance, sheep production on these farms is becoming increasingly challenging. Currently, roundworm and fluke control is achieved by anthelmintic use at flock level, but regular whole-flock treatment may select strongly for resistance. Alternative options available to control parasites whilst maintaining drug efficacy, include faecal egg count (FEC) monitoring, Targeted Selective anthelmintic Treatment (TST), pasture management and host genetic selection. However, their effectiveness will depend on the willingness and ability of farmers to implement them on their farms, as each option will have different financial and management implications. Recent research on the use of a weight-based precision livestock farming TST method has been carried out by the Moredun Research Institute (MRI) and SRUC, with promising results in terms of reduced use of anthelmintics by 40-50% without adversely affecting lamb production. This project will identify the scale of anthelmintic related issues faced by hill and upland sheep farmers, by gathering questionnaire information from both farmers and veterinary practices. In parallel, focus farms will be identified, their parasite challenge assessed and their approach to internal parasite control monitored over a full production year. After initial data collection and analysis, customised options for parasite control will be proposed, implemented and monitored on focus farms over the next production year. Sampling protocols and analysis will be performed by the student and monitored by staff at SRUC, MRI and UoE. Forecasting bio-economic modelling will be used to test the options available. After implementation, economic and performance data will be collected, to analyse the economic effects of improved disease control at farm level. This will allow practical recommendations on optimum internal parasites control on hill and upland sheep farms to be made. Objectives:1. Identify the internal parasite challenge on hill and upland sheep farms 2. Identify, test and monitor options for internal parasite control on case study/focus farms (n ~12, including sample collection and analysis)3. Propose optimum methods of internal parasite control 4. Obtain and assess feedback from farmers on implemented methods 5. Identify and model the economic effects of holistic internal parasite control at farm levelResearch Training: The student will be integrated into the Parasitology group at MRI, will have regular contact/visits to SRUC Hill and Mountain Research Centre and UoE and will be included in KE from on-going projects e.g. EU-COST COMBAR. MRI has extensive experience in research and application of practical and sustainable control strategies for helminth parasites of livestock and SRUC has applied TST approaches to their hill flock, extensive experience in farm systems approaches and economic analysis. The student will learn a range of applied parasitology skills, and novel molecular species identification techniques, as well as protocols for conducting and analysing questionnaires and computer modelling. Both MRI and SRUC have close relationships with the farming community, all supervisors actively engage in KE at local and national events and the student would be encouraged to participate.