Nematodirus Forecast 2026

Dr James O’Shaughnessy from the Department of Agriculture’s Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in Backweston joins us to discuss this year’s Nematodirus forecast. James explains what Nematodirus is, how it impacts young lambs, and the key symptoms to watch out for. We discuss this year’s forecast and what it means for farms across the country this spring. He also outlines treatment strategies and emphasises the importance of planning ahead to manage the challenge effectively. We finish by discussing the potential risk of concurrent infections, particularly Coccidia, and the role of follow-up diagnostics where issues arise. Link to this year’s forecast: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/press-releases/nematodirus-forecast-2026/ For more episodes from the OviCast podcast, visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast