What is COWS?
Control Of Worms Sustainably (COWS) is a voluntary initiative aiming to provide the best available, evidence-based information to the beef and dairy cattle industries in relation to the sustainable control of both internal and external parasites.
COWS funders
As a voluntary initiative, COWS is kindly funded by: AgriSearch, AHDB, AHDA, AHDB Beef & Lamb, AHDB Dairy, AMTRA, HCC, NFU, NOAH and QMS. COWS also works closely with SCOPS.
Beef farmer saves £5,000 by worming his cattle differently
16th October 2025
Round worms in young cattle can reduce growth rates by 30%, reducing herd performance, profitability while increasing environmental footprints. Anthelmintic resistance is a growing concern but can be slowed with responsible medicine use. Ian Farrant, 2023 Beef Farmer of the Year, took part in AHDB’s Monitor Farm programme and changed his worm control to support … Continued
Wormer resistant lungworm
13th October 2025
In recent research on a farm in Scotland, clinical signs and significant numbers of lungworm larvae were found in bovine faeces after treatment with ivermectin and moxidectin. Lead researcher Paul Campbell from the University of Glasgow reports. Parasitic bronchitis is caused by the bovine lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus. Infections can cause mild to severe respiratory distress, … Continued
COWS and SCOPS welcome BVA’s latest policy and highlight extent of work already done
11th August 2025
Members of the groups Control of Worms Sustainably (COWS) and Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS), welcome the recognition by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) of the need for a cohesive strategy to tackle future parasiticide resistance, with the publication of their new policy on responsible use of parasiticides in grazing animals (July 2025). … Continued