The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) is inviting sheep farmers interested in sheep worm and fluke management innovation to participate in a knowledge-building event this summer.
Part of the Farming for Sustainability – Innovation Scheme, the ‘innovation visit’ will take place in Scotland, home to the world-renowned Moredun Research Institute as well as leading commercial sheep enterprises.
The visit will run from Monday, August 3 to Wednesday, August 5, 2026, with travel on the Monday evening to allow for two full days of visits.
CAFRE described the event as “a valuable opportunity to gain experience on how the latest research and practical approaches can address key flock health challenges, including anthelmintic resistance (AMR), fluke control, and emerging sheep diseases”.
Moredun Research Institute
The visit will begin at the Moredun Research Institute, where participants will gain insights into innovative research on parasite control, diagnostics and treatment strategies.
This will include the use of faecal egg counts, resistance testing, and interpreting results to support more targeted and effective treatment decisions.
At Moredun’s Firth Mains Farm, farmers will see how diagnostic tools, targeted selective treatment (TST), and data-led approaches can improve flock health and reduce reliance on routine treatments.
Participants will also explore advanced technologies, including demonstrations of recent advances in precision livestock farming (PLF).
Farmers will learn about advanced diagnostic tools such as lateral flow tests for fluke detection and emerging technologies such as the T.Circ test, which can assess an animal’s resilience to worms and inform future breeding decisions.
The second day will include visits to progressive commercial sheep farms in the surrounding area, where innovative technologies and management practices are being implemented in practical farming systems.
Over the two days, farmers will gain first-hand knowledge of how diagnostics, data and breeding tools are being used to improve worm and fluke control, including the potential to select sheep with greater natural resilience to parasites, supporting improved animal health, performance, and farm sustainability.
Eligibility
Applications are invited from one member or employee per farm business. Participants should be aged 18 or over.
Eighteen places are available on this visit, with applications prioritised based on eligibility criteria, including a minimum flock size of 100 ewes.
Farming for Sustainability – Innovation Scheme is part of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ Sustainable Agriculture Programme.
Costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals will be covered by the programme. Participants will be expected to meet any other costs, including farm relief and travel insurance.
Farmers interested in participating can find further details and complete an application form on the CAFRE website.
Applications will close at 4:00p.m on Monday, June 8.