The aim of this project is to inform what influences farmers habits and decision making associated with parasite management, and how a farm system operates with reduced drench.
The aim of this project is to assess different methods of parasite management communication with farmers and vets for their usefulness, reach, impact, and associated behaviour change.
The aim of this project is to inform:
- What influences farmers habits and decision making associated with parasite management.
- How a farm system operates with reduced drench.
Background
Internal parasites are one of the most important animal health challenges for our sheep and beef farmers. Treatment for parasites has predominantly been through using anthelmintics, or drench.
In-depth interviews will be held with up to 15 farmers around New Zealand. Understanding the behavioural drivers and habits of farmers to drench or not and the operational processes of farmers who use minimal or no drench is required. This information will be key to informing the B+LNZ long-term research strategy into parasite management including education and communication, research, and potential regulatory regulations for drench purchase and administration.
Benefit to farmers/industry
This information will be key to informing the B+LNZ long-term research strategy into parasite management including education and communication, research, and potential regulatory regulations for drench purchase and administration.
The stories of how these farmers have reduced drench will be shared to provide other farmers with more on-farm information.
Timeline and investment
This is a 9-month project due for completion in December 2022.
B+LNZ investment is $92,000 over the duration of the project.
Partners: This project is led by Massey University and funded by B+LNZ.
Lead Scientist: Anne Riddler.
B+LNZ point of contact: Cara Brosnahan.