Pioneering a Fec test for deer

Fecpak is well on the way to developing a new faecal egg counting kit for deer reports the ODT. Meanwhile,  PGG Wrightson has had a huge endorsement from the European Union, where its technology was part of a $NZ7.25 million parasite management trial and which resulted in a major reduction in drench use. Fecpak, together with AgResearch and Deer Industry NZ , was trialling testing processes on the Invermay deer farm, and Fecpak International manager Greg Mirams said he hoped to know the results of those tests by the end of the year. Drench-resistant worms in deer was a growing problem, and Mr Mirams said deer farmers have relied on products to control internal parasites containing moxidectin, of which there were very few. Fecpak worm testing kits could not be used across animal species without modification, he said.  Intestine size differed, as did the moisture content of faecal matter, and digestion and stomach functions in browsing animals like deer and goats also differed to grazing animals. So far Fecpak has systems for sheep, goats, cattle, horses and alpacas. The company has been quietly establishing its presence in Europe, which now appeared to be paying off, with favourable comment from scientists, veterinarians and farmers. Last week it was basking in the success of the European Union Parasol project, launched following concerns about the sustainability of the current approach to managing parasites, the impact it was having on drench resistance, food and environmental residues, animal welfare and sustainable food production. Mr Mirams said trial results in the United Kingdom showed drench treatments were on average reduced 35% while farmers found the production was maintained or improved.