Animal health adviser heads to New Zealand on Novartis/NFYFC award to learn more about anthelmintic resistance

Frimley, 24 October 2011 – An animal health adviser from Shropshire has been funded through a scholarship awarded by Novartis Animal Health and the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) to travel to New Zealand and gain experience of the New Zealand livestock industry.

Sarah Grantham, 22, who works for Masstock Arable in Ludlow, was the winning entrant of the £1,500 Novartis/NFYFC Travel Scholarship, and is visiting three sheep stations in the country.

The aim of the scholarship is for the winner to learn more about how sheep producers in New Zealand control both ecto and endo parasites, and how they deal with anthelmintic resistance.

“I feel very excited and privileged to have this opportunity to visit New Zealand, and I hope to bring back some useful knowledge and experience about the sheep industry there,” said Sarah.

“Anthelmintic resistance is a significant problem in New Zealand, and in the UK. I think it is hugely valuable to have the opportunity to learn from farmers in another country about good drenching practice, and how they maintain healthy flocks,” said Sarah.

Sarah will be taking a laptop and video camera and will be recording a regular video blog of her experiences on the placement farms she is visiting, which will focus on how New Zealand’s sheep farmers are dealing with parasite control and anthelmintic resistance.

Simon Harris, Farm Animal Product Manager at Novartis, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to a candidate of Sarah’s quality, and we are very much looking forward to hearing about her experiences in New Zealand.”

“The scholarship is designed to encourage learning about parasite control, which Sarah will be able to bring to a wider audience through her video diary and report on anthelmintic resistance,” he said.

After visiting Bluff, Omarama and Haldon sheep stations, Sarah will visit Dunedin, the second-largest city on New Zealand’s South Island. She will also be interviewing a series of specialists on parasite control, including Dave Leathwick, who is a world authority on drench efficacy and the causes of resistance.

Sarah’s video blog will be available on the NFYFC website www.nfyfc.org.uk

ends