Part of a series on Outsmarting the Fluke: Peer-Led Strategies for Scottish Pastures.

Relying on calendar drenches and business as usual has pushed parasite control to a dangerous cliff edge. Driven by volatile weather, genetically adaptive parasites, and drug resistance, routine chemical drenching is no longer financially or ecologically viable.

Join researchers, vets, and active farmers for an honest, peer-led discussion on Fasciola hepatica. What is its lifecycle, how it engages and depends on the wider farm environment and what they do in response to each drench.

Now we’ve tested and detected, or we’ve treated what are some of the other ways that fluke uses our farmland against us. We’ll look at the grass growth, how it moves through hosts and where we can cut off its access to our livestock’s livers.

Speakers

Dr. Philip Skuce - Principal Research Scientist, Moredun Institute

Philip is a leading livestock parasitologist at the Moredun Research Institute with decades of expertise in parasite biology, sustainable control strategies, and anthelmintic resistance. His work focuses on translating cutting-edge parasite science into actionable, practical tools for farmers; helping livestock producers navigate changing climate risks, reduce chemical inputs, and adopt targeted test-to-treat approaches.

Colin Mason - Colin Mason is an Edinburgh graduate with 30 years of veterinary experience working exclusively with farm animals. Originally from Cheshire he grew up around dairy cows. This inspired a real passion for the industry and a fascination for the ability of our cows to convert grazed grass into a highly nutritious, superfood.

Izzy De Santis & David Smith - Crofters at Croft Seventeen, Lemreway, Isle of Lewis.