Chasing helminths and their economic impact on farmed ruminants

• Helminth infections are a major constraint on efficient livestock production.
• Most current helminth diagnostic tests do not inform on production impact.
• Helminth control should be integrated into the whole-farm economic context.

Global agriculture will be required to intensify production from a shrinking natural resource base. Helminth infections of ruminants are a major constraint on efficient livestock production. The current challenge is to develop diagnostic methods that detect the production impact of helminth infections on farms in order to target control measures and contribute to the global challenge of preserving food security. We review here our understanding of the effects of helminth infections and control practices on productivity and the diagnostic tools that can inform on this. By combining advances in helminth laboratory diagnostics and animal health economics, sustainable management of helminth infections can be integrated into the whole-farm economic context.