Merry Christmas from the ParaBoss team

Lewis Kahn, Deb Maxwell, Arthur Le Feuvre

From the Editor

The year comes to an end, with most producers hoping 2015 is much better than 2014!  Sound decisions based on probabilities and economic risk, rather than hope, have been fully justified.  We hope you have found the information in the ParaBoss News useful and we are always looking for feedback and suggestions. If you would like more information on a topic included, let us know; if the content is hard to understand or you feel there is something that needs improving, we are happy to look at improving it.

ALL STATE ALERT. State reports indicate that barber's pole worm is already becoming a problem in areas well beyond its usual locations. Be on the lookout for unexpected deaths, anaemia, bottle jaw, and sheep collapsing when mustered, and act quickly if they are seen: follow your Drench Decision Guide.

FlyBoss training is now online. Get a handle on flystrike control. Follow your preferred learning method: structured reading or questions and answers. >>FlyBoss Online Learning.

May you all have a happy Christmas and a 2015 that has health, happiness, good seasons and profitable markets.

Arthur Le Feuvre

Feature articles

The importance of summer drenches and weaning drenches

from the WormBoss web site

Summer drenches (southern Australia) and weaning drenches are strategic, as they either reduce worm larval contamination of a pasture for the benefit of the whole flock or pre-emptively treat a very susceptible class of sheep. Are you using these drenches wisely? >> Read more.

Optimise your fly treatments

by Deb Maxwell, Operations Manager, ParaBoss

Flystrike prevention treatments are expensive, so getting the biggest bang for you buck makes sense. The time they are applied makes a big difference to their overall impact. The FlyBoss Optimise treatment tool can find the best application time in your area. >> Read more.

Jetting: don't bother unless you do it right

from the FlyBoss web site

Flies are about and lice might be found in long wool soon. Both can be treated by jetting (lice will only be suppressed), but does your jetting plant and your method of application stand up to scrutiny? >> Read more:   Hand jetting for lice.   Hand jetting for flies.

see State Outlooks below >>

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State outlooks for December 2014

New South Wales >> full report In the tablelands there are still some higher WECs.  Where it's still dry things are quiet.  The one hotspot emerging is the south east sector where worms are getting active and will increase.  Expect increased activity where good rain has fallen.  Always monitor before drenching.	Victoria >> full report There are big differences in worm activity between 2013 and 2014.  There are reasons for this.  Read and understand.  Good worm management this summer will make all the difference in 2015.
Queensland >> full report Mostly still very dry in most regions, but some lucky individuals got good falls. So, pray for rain and, when it does rain, do not forget barber’s pole worm has a nasty habit of quickly re-emerging.	Western Australia >> full report Summer drenching to keep things under control in 2015 is all the go, get it right—use highly effective drenches. This means using drenches shown by a Drench Test to be effective, not what you assume is effective! Barber’s pole is showing up here and there around Esperance and elsewhere.  Be alert!
Tasmania >> full report Wet in the northern parts, dry in the central and southern. If you are running sheep under irrigation, be aware that barber’s pole worm has turned up south of Longford. It has the potential to cause real problems.  Monitor regularly for early detection.	South Australia >> full report Conditions have been dry for most areas and worms relatively quiet. Monitor to check and diagnose so there are no surprises later.  Don't drench if counts are low or sheep are going onto stubbles.