28/08/2026
FAO Farm clients - Haemonchosis (barbers pole worm) alert ‼️
SRUC have reported that they have confirmed several cases of haemonchosis in the past few weeks, with lamb deaths. This worm feeds on blood, so affected sheep may die suddenly (while still in good body condition), show pale mucous membranes or develop swelling under the jaw (bottle jaw). Cattle can also be affected, with reduced performance and growth rates of weaned youngstock.
Please contact us if you notice any of the above signs in your sheep or cattle - and/or pop in to collect faecal sample pots. We can diagnose haemonchus eggs in samples tested in-house same day in Peebles, and can advise on the most appropriate wormer. Checking faecal egg counts can also be used to monitor effectiveness of treatment, by comparing samples tested before and after dosing.
Barbers pole worm produces huge numbers of eggs, so it is important to prevent pasture contamination and potentially a greater number of cases later on in the season by acting early.
