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Eprinomectin resistance in dairy sheep: insights from the Antherin project

Parasite management remains a constant challenge for dairy sheep farmers. Gastrointestinal parasites can affect animal health, milk yield, and overall farm performance. However, the emergence of resistance to anthelmintics such as eprinomectin calls for new approaches to ensure both animal welfare, sustainable production and preservation of the molecule’s efficacy. 

The Antherin project (INRAE & Toulouse Vet School; supported by Ceva and Carnot F2E) aims to better understand how eprinomectin resistance develops in dairy sheep and to design practical, field-ready strategies to manage parasitism effectively – without compromising animal well-being and milk production. 

Follow the beprecise: Anterin project – One flock, Many eyes: rethinking nematode control in dairy sheep video series below to discover the key findings and real-world applications of this innovative research. 

Episode 1 – Meet Valérie, Sophie & Olivier. Eprinomectin resistance in dairy sheep 

Discover how the Antherin project brings together researchers, veterinarians, and farmers to tackle eprinomectin resistance in dairy sheep. This episode introduces the project’s objectives, design, and its practical value for managing parasitism without compromising animal welfare and milk production from each stakeholder perspective. 

Episode 2 – Seeing the problem: When parasites challenge the flock 

Learn how parasitic infections affect dairy sheep – from subtle milk losses to visible clinical signs. This episode highlights the main nematode species involved and explains how grazing and climate conditions influence parasite exposure. 

Episode 3 – Resistance rising: When treatments stop working 

The growing resistance to antiparasitic drugs poses a real threat to dairy sheep farming. In this episode, experts explain why some treatments fail, which molecules are affected, and what can be done to slow resistance development while maintaining animal welfare and productivity. 

Episode 4 – Fecal egg counts in focus: Knowing when and what it tells us

Monitoring is key to prevention. This episode explores how coproscopy and faecal egg counts (FEC) help detect infection levels, assess treatment efficacy, and guide selective deworming decisions on farm. 

Episode 5 – Dosing anthelmintics: Why is it relevant in the resistance discussions 

Explore how measuring blood eprinomectin levels alongside FEC results reveals the differences in parasiticide exposure between pour-on, oral, and injectable treatments. This episode shows how administration route influences efficacy and helps distinguish real resistance from under-dosing and misuse of the treatments. 

Episode 6 – Treat with care: What, why and how of targeted selective treatment 

Selective treatment focuses on the animals most at risk, protecting the whole flock while preserving anthelmintic efficacy. This episode details how to identify the animals to be treated, the benefits for milk production, and how farmers are adopting this sustainable approach.

Episode 7 – Why injection matters: Getting more from Eprinomectin 

Not all formulations deliver the same performance. In this episode, experts explain why injectable eprinomectin ensures more reliable parasite control, easier use for farmers, and better results than pour-on or oral options.

Episode 8 – United against worms: Toward sustainable worm control 

Long-term success depends on combining smart treatment, pasture management, and genetic selection. This final episode shows how to design a sustainable parasite control plan that maintains animal health, productivity, and farm resilience.

Through the beprecise program, Ceva continues to support veterinarians and dairy sheep farmers in the transition toward more targeted and sustainable parasite management.
The insights from the Antherin project highlight that understanding resistance is the first step toward preserving the efficacy of key anthelmintics like eprinomectin. By combining scientific research, on-farm monitoring, and responsible treatment strategies, the industry can protect animal health, ensure milk quality, and secure the future of sustainable dairy production.