Helping producers control worms and boost cattle growth rates

Monitoring worm egg counts (WECs) using automated devices such as FECPAK G2 ( Techion, New Zealand) and ParaSight Systems (USA) have helped bring parasite diagnostics closer to the farm.

Now, a third-generation automated analyser is raising the bar even further.

The OvaCyte analyser, developed by Telenostic in Ireland, combines advanced imaging with artificial intelligence to deliver highly accurate parasite diagnostics.

Using a 4.5mL sample contained in a rotating thermoplastic cassette, the system captures 180 images analysed by AI to identify and count strongyles, thin-necked intestinal worms, barber’s pole worms, tapeworms and coccidia eggs.

Matthew Playford from Dawbuts said the biggest advance with OvaCyte is that producers no longer have to choose between speed and accuracy.

“They can obtain highly sensitive results and identify sheep barber’s pole worm almost immediately, giving them greater confidence in their parasite management decisions.”

Preparation takes just five minutes and requires no centrifuge or specialist reagents other than saturated saline.

The analyser connects via Wi-Fi or a mobile phone hotspot, making it practical for use in rural locations.

One of OvaCyte’s standout features is its exceptional sensitivity, detecting as few as three eggs per gram of dung—the most sensitive system currently available. This makes it suitable for monitoring sheep, cattle and horses, as well as conducting drench resistance testing.

In fact, research has shown that using a highly sensitive single composite test for cattle before and after treatment leads to very accurate estimates of drench resistance (George et al. 2017).

The analyser also identifies and counts coccidial oocysts, providing an early warning for coccidiosis before clinical signs appear. A separate testing cassette enables rapid detection of liver fluke and paramphistome eggs, assisting with the diagnosis of flukicide resistance.

Another huge advantage is the ability to instantly identify sheep barber’s pole worm ( Haemonchus ), during or immediately after the egg count.

This allows producers and advisers to make more informed drenching decisions using tools such as WormBoss, while also providing valuable estimates of pasture larval contamination.

Importantly, the cost per test is comparable to existing automated faecal egg count systems, making the technology accessible without increasing testing costs.

Helping Producers Make Better Drench Decisions

The latest OvaCyte analyser provides livestock producers, veterinarians and rural advisers with faster, more sensitive parasite diagnostics at the point of care.

By combining AI-driven analysis, rapid sheep barber’s pole worm identification and simple operation, the system offers a practical solution for improving parasite management and preserving drench effectiveness.

Users are supported by the expertise of the Dawbuts reference laboratory.