Bio-solution · V05 · Veterinary
Ruminant gastrointestinal nematode control without blanket macrocyclic lactone dosing — nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans, tannin-rich forages, targeted selective treatment (FAMACHA) and grazing management
Replaces
Routine whole-flock/herd dosing with ivermectin, doramectin, moxidectin (macrocyclic lactones), benzimidazoles (albendazole, fenbendazole), levamisole — especially long-acting injections and boluses
Routine whole-flock/herd dosing with ivermectin, doramectin, moxidectin (macrocyclic lactones), benzimidazoles (albendazole, fenbendazole), levamisole — especially long-acting injections and boluses
→
Scope
Suppliers 1
| NARO | Uganda | active |
Route into Russia / EAEU VET
- Regulator
- Rosselkhoznadzor
- Typical time
- 155-235 working days under EAEU rules (plus dossier); national 61-FZ route open until 31.12.2027
- Legal basis
- EEC Council Decision No. 1 (21.01.2022), EAEU rules for veterinary medicines; Federal Law 61-FZ (national procedure until 2027)
Information, not legal advice — confirm the procedure for your product.
Proof 6 claims
Old process
Routine whole-flock treatment with chemical anthelmintic drugs.
Routine whole-flock treatment with chemical anthelmintic drugs.
→
New practice
Biological control using nematophagous fungi (Duddingtonia flagrans) and other sustainable worm control (SWC) practices such as bioactive forages and targeted selective treatment (TST).
Biological control using nematophagous fungi (Duddingtonia flagrans) and other sustainable worm control (SWC) practices such as bioactive forages and targeted selective treatment (TST).
- Displaced at scale?
- no
- Caveats
- The evidence indicates that while alternative strategies like Duddingtonia flagrans are known and researched, their adoption remains low and they are not yet widely used as a replacement for conventional anthelmintic treatments in commercial practice. There is no evidence of large-scale displacement of chemical anthelmintics by these bio-based practices.
- checked
- 2026-10-06
| Field trials in Australia demonstrated that supplementation with Duddingtonia flagrans (BioWorma) significantly reduced worm burdens in tracer sheep by 57% to 84% compared to control groups. “Significant reductions ranging from 57 to 84% (P < 0.05) in worm burdens of the tracer sheep placed in the paddock grazed by BioWorma treated sheep were obtained in all four trials, compared to the Control group.” Australia · 2009-2013 · pilot or niche | peer-reviewed ✓ exa.ai |
| A commercial product (Bioverm) containing D. flagrans was launched in Brazil, and a study on a commercial farm showed that it reduced the need for chemical anthelmintics, allowing the farm to deworm only animals with clinical symptoms. “The farm continued using Bioverm® for several years post-experiment, deworming solely animals with clinical symptoms.” Brazil · 2025 · pilot or niche | peer-reviewed www.mdpi.com |
| A survey of organic farmers in five European countries found that while farmers were well-informed about alternative GIN control methods, few actually put them into practice. “Overall, organic farmers seemed well informed on the availability of alternative GIN control methods, but fewer stated to put them into practice.” Europe (Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Lithuania, United Kingdom) · 2022 · not applicable | peer-reviewed exa.ai |
| In a survey of organic small ruminant farmers across five European countries, the proportion of farmers applying routine drenching was four times higher in conventional compared to organic producers. “However, the proportion of farmers applying routine drenching was four time higher in conventional compared to organic producers.” Europe (Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Lithuania, United Kingdom) · 2022 · minority but measured share or volume | peer-reviewed exa.ai |
| In a 2018 national survey of Australian sheep producers, 74% of respondents reported using preventative treatments as one of their top three methods for worm control. “The top three methods for worm control over the past 5 years were preventative treatments (74%), preparing clean pastures by spelling paddocks (62%) and treatment on the basis of faecal worm egg count (WEC, 54%).” Australia · 2018 · majority share of a major market | weak (company, news, market research, other) ✓ www.publish.csiro.au |
| In a survey of 1261 European livestock stakeholders, 56.7% of respondents considered diagnostic testing to be financially reasonable. “Descriptive and regression analyses revealed that a majority of respondents (56.7%) considered diagnostic testing to be financially reasonable, although perceptions varied significantly between countries.” Europe (13 countries) · 2026 · minority but measured share or volume | peer-reviewed ✓ exa.ai |
References 7
- Kaplan RM, Vidyashankar AN (2012). An inconvenient truth: global worming and anthelmintic resistance. *Veterinary Parasitology* 186: 70–78. VERIFIED DOI · cited by 744
- van Wyk JA, Bath GF (2002). The FAMACHA system for managing haemonchosis in sheep and goats by clinically identifying individual animals for treatment. *Veterin VERIFIED DOI
- Larsen M (2000). Prospects for controlling animal parasitic nematodes by predacious micro fungi. *Parasitology* 120: S121–S131. VERIFIED (format … DOI · cited by 102
- Healey K, Lawlor C, Knox MR, et al. (2018). Field evaluation of *Duddingtonia flagrans* IAH 1297 for the reduction of worm burden in grazing animals: pasture la VERIFIED DOI · cited by 46
- Hoste H, Jackson F, Athanasiadou S, Thamsborg SM, Hoskin SO (2006). The effects of tannin-rich plants on parasitic nematodes in ruminants. *Trends in Parasitolo VERIFIED DOI · cited by 494
- Wall R, Strong L (1987). Environmental consequences of treating cattle with the antiparasitic drug ivermectin. *Nature* 327: 418–421. VERIFIED DOI · cited by 258
- Lumaret JP, Errouissi F, Floate K, et al. (2012). A review on the toxicity and non-target effects of macrocyclic lactones in terrestrial and aquatic environment VERIFIED DOI · cited by 331
Details
Replaces: routine whole-flock or whole-herd anthelmintic dosing · Species: sheep, goats, cattle, horses · Evidence: high
The chemical problem#
- Anthelmintic resistance in Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia and Trichostrongylus is widespread in sheep and goats worldwide: resistance to benzimidazoles, levamisole and macrocyclic lactones, often on the same farm. Resistance in cattle nematodes (Cooperia, Ostertagia) to ivermectin is growing. Routine whole-flock treatment is the main driver.
- Ecotoxicity: ivermectin is excreted mostly unchanged in dung. It kills dung beetle and dung fly larvae and slows dung decomposition. This was first shown in Nature in 1987 and confirmed in many studies. It is also highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates.
- In Russia and the CIS, ivermectin products (Ivermek and others) are used very widely, often as blanket treatments.
Product overview#
A sustainable parasite control program (the SCOPS/COWS principles in the UK; WAAVP guidelines):
- Targeted selective treatment (TST): treat only animals that need it, using FAMACHA (eye-mucosa colour score for anaemia caused by Haemonchus), body condition, the Five Point Check, faecal egg counts (FEC) and weight gain. This keeps refugia (untreated worms that stay susceptible).
- Nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans (BioWorma, registered in Australia, New Zealand and the USA as a feed additive; strain IAH 1297). The spores pass unharmed through the gut into the dung, where the fungus traps and kills larvae before they reach the pasture.
- Tannin-rich forages: sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), chicory, birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), sericea lespedeza. Condensed tannins reduce worm fecundity and larval establishment, and also improve protein use.
- Grazing management: rotation, “clean” pastures (after hay or crops), mixed/alternate grazing of cattle and sheep, avoiding overstocking.
- Genetic resistance: breeding for low FEC (resistant breeds and sires; e.g. estimated breeding values for FEC in NZ and Australia).
Active ingredient / Composition#
- D. flagrans IAH 1297 chlamydospores (daily feed supplement; dose per label, by body weight).
- Condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins) in forage.
- Diagnostic tools: FAMACHA card, McMaster FEC.
Key facts#
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Class | Microbial biocontrol (fungus) + phytogenic forage + diagnostics |
| Effect of D. flagrans | Reduction of infective larvae on pasture by about 70–90 % in trials (while fed) |
| Drug reduction | TST: 50–90 % fewer doses in small-ruminant programs |
| Withdrawal | None for fungus or forages |
| Environmental safety | D. flagrans is a native soil fungus with no significant effect on dung beetles or earthworms in studies |
Advantages#
- Slows resistance, so the remaining effective drugs are preserved.
- Protects dung beetles, which recycle dung, reduce flies and improve pasture (an ecosystem service).
- Tannin forages: also less bloat, better protein efficiency, less methane (some studies).
- D. flagrans works against all larval species (not drug-dependent).
Mode of action#
- D. flagrans: chlamydospores germinate in fresh dung and form adhesive hyphal networks (traps) that capture and digest L1–L3 larvae.
- Tannins: bind to the worm cuticle and to proteins, which reduces egg output and larval establishment and improves the host’s immune response via better protein nutrition.
- TST/refugia: susceptible worms dilute resistance genes.
Application#
| Species | Target | Measure | Specifics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheep, goats | Haemonchus | FAMACHA every 2–3 weeks in the risk season; treat only scores 4–5 (and 3 in lambs/ewes at risk) | Train staff; check drug efficacy (FECRT) regularly |
| Sheep, goats, cattle, horses | Pasture larvae | D. flagrans fed daily during the grazing season (per label) | Daily feeding needed while the effect is wanted |
| Sheep, goats | Worm burden | Sainfoin/chicory pasture or silage/pellets in the risk period | Best for young stock |
| All | Pasture contamination | Rotation, mixed grazing, clean pasture for weaned lambs/calves | – |
| Cattle | Ostertagia, Cooperia | Treat young stock strategically based on FEC and weight gain; adults rarely need treatment | Avoid long-acting boluses on the whole herd |
Limitations#
- TST needs labour and training. D. flagrans requires daily feeding (easier with supplement feeding).
- It is not an instant cure: clinically sick animals need an effective anthelmintic (tested by FECRT).
- BioWorma registration in RU/EU needs to be checked.
Evidence of displacement — D1: works, adoption not proven#
Verified figures (the number is in the quoted sentence and the sentence is on the source page):
- performance — Field trials in Australia demonstrated that supplementation with Duddingtonia flagrans (BioWorma) significantly reduced worm burdens in tracer sheep by 57% to 84% compared to control groups. (Australia, 2009-2013; peer-reviewed: exa.ai)
- performance — In a 2018 national survey of Australian sheep producers, 74% of respondents reported using preventative treatments as one of their top three methods for worm control. (Australia, 2018; government or intergovernmental: publish.csiro.au)
- economics — In a survey of 1261 European livestock stakeholders, 56.7% of respondents considered diagnostic testing to be financially reasonable. (Europe (13 countries), 2026; peer-reviewed: exa.ai)
Suppliers — real products and services (from the vendor index)#
Honest finding: the vendor index has no commercial supplier of Duddingtonia or targeted-treatment programmes; one public research entry. This is recorded as a supplier gap — the companies below are the closest capabilities.
Companies below are active vendors in the vendor index whose own card (profile / official website) shows this product or service — matched 2026-09-28 by keyword and checked by hand against the card text. Being listed is not an endorsement; open each card for evidence, contacts and status.
| Company | Region · Country | What the index shows | Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| NARO | Africa/ME · Uganda | public research: NARO-Anti Helminth plant-based dewormer (2017) | card |
Government funding signals#
Public grants for a specific technology are a leading indicator: governments fund what regulators want to replace and what is close to practical adoption. Searched on 2026-09-27 in: EU CORDIS (FP7, Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe), US federal awards (USAspending: USDA NIFA/ARS/APHIS/Forest Service, EPA, DOE, NOAA, USAID; plus NSF and NIH), UK UKRI Gateway to Research, Australian Research Council. Each grant below was reviewed by hand for relevance. China, Brazil and India are covered in the subsection below (publication-acknowledged grants). Not covered: Russia (RSF, FASIE — not reachable from the research environment) and national agencies outside these databases. Amounts are the funder’s contribution as recorded (US NIH/UKRI: per award or fiscal year).
Signal: Strong. 3 relevant grant(s) · about €13.7M in total · jurisdictions: EU, UK.
| Funder / programme | Project | Lead organisation | Start | Amount | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Commission — H2020 RIA | Paragone: PARAGONE: vaccines for animal parasites | Moredun Research Institute (UK) | 2015 | 8,998,560 EUR | link |
| European Commission — FP7 MC-ITN | LEGUMEPLUS: Optimising plant polyphenols in LEGUMES for ruminant nutrition PLUS health PLUS environmental sustainability | The University Of Reading (UK) | 2012 | 4,097,982 EUR | link |
| UKRI — BBSRC | Integrating ecology and animal science to understand and manage anthelmintic resistance in cattle under climate change | School Of Biological Sciences (UK) | 2018 | 503,210 GBP | link |
China, Brazil, India — national research grants acknowledged in publications#
Chinese, Brazilian and Indian funders have no open grant databases reachable here, so this measures scientific papers published since 2015 that acknowledge national government grants, taken from the grant numbers publishers deposit with Crossref. Only papers whose title contains this article’s key terms are counted (a conservative lower bound; “100+” = search window full). It shows research-funding intensity, not budgets. Funders: China — NSFC, National Key R&D Program, China Agriculture Research System; Brazil — CNPq, CAPES, FAPESP, Embrapa, FAPEMIG; India — DBT, DST, ICAR, SERB, CSIR, BIRAC. Rating per country: Strong ≥50 papers · Moderate 10–49 · Weak 1–9.
| Country | Papers funded (2015–2026) | Signal | Main funders (grant acknowledgements) | Example grant → funded paper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 5 | Weak | NSFC (4), National Key R&D Program (3) | NSFC 32202861 → A systematic review and meta-analysis on the current status of anthelmintic resistance in equine… (2024) doi |
| Brazil | 19 | Moderate | CNPq (16), CAPES (14), FAPEMIG (7) | CNPq 303624/2021-3 → Revisiting anthelmintic resistance in sheep flocks from São Paulo State, Brazil (2024) doi |
| India | 1 | Weak | ICAR (1) | – |
Scientific evidence#
- Kaplan RM, Vidyashankar AN (2012). An inconvenient truth: global worming and anthelmintic resistance. Veterinary Parasitology 186: 70–78.
- van Wyk JA, Bath GF (2002). The FAMACHA system for managing haemonchosis in sheep and goats by clinically identifying individual animals for treatment. Veterinary Research 33: 509–529.
- Larsen M (2000). Prospects for controlling animal parasitic nematodes by predacious micro fungi. Parasitology 120: S121–S131.
- Healey K, Lawlor C, Knox MR, et al. (2018). Field evaluation of Duddingtonia flagrans IAH 1297 for the reduction of worm burden in grazing animals: pasture larval studies in horses, cattle and goats. Veterinary Parasitology 258: 124–132.
- Hoste H, Jackson F, Athanasiadou S, Thamsborg SM, Hoskin SO (2006). The effects of tannin-rich plants on parasitic nematodes in ruminants. Trends in Parasitology 22: 253–261.
- Wall R, Strong L (1987). Environmental consequences of treating cattle with the antiparasitic drug ivermectin. Nature 327: 418–421.
- Lumaret JP, Errouissi F, Floate K, et al. (2012). A review on the toxicity and non-target effects of macrocyclic lactones in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 13: 1004–1060.
Bioeconomy value#
A soil fungus, legume forages and information replace mass drug use. This protects dung-beetle ecosystem services (nutrient cycling, pasture quality), and the sainfoin/lucerne forages also fix nitrogen.