Today I had Philip on the R2Kast 🎙️ Philip is a parasitologist at the Moredun Research Institute who has spent decades researching sheep and cattle parasites, helping farmers better understand disease and develop more sustainable approaches to livestock health. 🌾
We spoke about growing up in Northern Ireland, how a fascination with parasitology led him into research, and the work Moredun has done over many years to improve animal health through diagnostics, vaccines and better parasite management. It was a fascinating insight into a subject that affects almost every livestock farm but often goes unnoticed until problems appear. 🍎
A big part of the conversation focused on parasite resistance, why routine blanket worming is no longer sustainable and how targeted treatments, diagnostics and breeding more resilient livestock can help protect both animal health and the effectiveness of the medicines we still have available. We also discussed liver fluke, roundworms, climate change and the way parasites continue to adapt alongside changing farming systems. 🌍
We wrapped up chatting about curiosity, research and why there will always be new challenges in livestock health. It was a brilliant conversation that showed just how much science, practical farming and long term thinking come together to support healthier animals and more sustainable farming.
Enjoy! 🙂