On-farm parasitology skills

Develop effective and sustainable parasite control programmes.

Sustainable control of internal parasites of grazing ruminants has always been a key concern for veterinarians in production animal practice. However, we are now in a new age where multi-drug drench resistance is becoming the norm rather than the exception on sheep farms. Cattle finishing enterprises are starting to wake up to this threat too.

We are no longer in an era where it is sufficient to simply provide advice on what drench product/s to use and when.

Veterinarians providing advice in this space require:

  • A sound understanding of biology and epidemiology of helminth parasites
  • Up to date knowledge of developments in helminth control research
  • An in-depth understanding of on-farm risk factors for both drench resistance, and parasite-related production loss
  • Enough understanding of farm systems to be able to help clients make changes or seek help to minimise the impacts of parasitism and drench resistance.

This course will equip you with many tools to improve your understanding and confidence in these areas, plus a comprehensive set of notes to refer back to in the future. Part of the course will involve assessing an on-farm case study and providing recommendations for management change. We will also cover hints and tips for having productive and supportive conversations with farmers through this process.

register   back to cpd calendar

Dates


Monday 6 May - Friday 12 July 2024

Description

Format

This is an online course comprising of comprehensive notes, activities, a discussion forum, live online tutorials and an optional assessment to gain university level credits.

Topics

  • Beyond the basic worm lifecycle
  • Worms in sheep and cattle systems
  • Epidemiology in sheep and cattle
  • Methods of assessing worm challenge
  • Anthelmintic pharmacology and products
  • Mechanisms of drug resistance in worms and worm populations
  • Discussion on sustainability and reducing dependence on drench
  • Causes of anthelmintic resistance for slowing the progression of drug resistance
  • Practical application of worm monitoring and testing
  • Stock policies, grazing management and anthelmintics

Learning objectives

This course will equip you with many tools to improve your understanding and confidence in these areas, plus a comprehensive set of notes to refer back to in the future. Part of the course will involve assessing an on-farm case study and providing recommendations for management change. We will also cover hints and tips for having productive and supportive conversations with farmers through this process.

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an effective level of knowledge about the biology of helminth parasites of sheep, and cattle.
  • Review scientific publications on helminths, their control and understand the strengths and limitations of these publications.
  • Explain the strengths and weaknesses of available anthelmintics.
  • Discuss the risk factors for anthelmintic resistance in helminth parasites.
  • Develop a control programme for individual farmers to achieve high levels of production in conjunction with low levels of risk for developing anthelmintic resistance.

Tutors

Ginny Dodunski BVSc MACVSc

Victoria Chapman BVSc

Testimonials

“We see the Vetlearn Parasitology course as an integral part of developing our new production animal vets. It is an important part of their CPD pathway with online and face-to-face learning which enhances what they learn out in the field.” - Camille Flack, Director, Vet Services Hawkes Bay.

"A very practical, engaging course that was easy to follow and keep interested in. The notes were informative... they will be a great resource to have. The course presenters Victoria and Ginny are engaging and enthusiastic which increases your own interest in the topic. The course forum was an invaluable resource and having access to parasitology experts including Dave Leathwick to help you consult on parasitology cases. I cannot emphasise enough how great this course was and an important part of being a competent sheep and beef veterinarian. Ginny and Victoria who presented the course are very approachable and having them available for queries after the course had finished has been fantastic. Often the best approach to problem solving is in group discussions which is what this course allowed." - Mary Bowron, The Vet Centre Marlborough

Cost

NZVA member $890 | Non-member $1780

Contact

Shannon Leader
Events Manager
shannon.leader@vets.org.nz

Sponsors