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Australia's resource for control of worms, flies and lice in sheep,
and worms in goats

From the Editor

Don't forget to check and save your existing ParaBoss News subscription by the end of July to be in the draw for great prizes. See details below.

Polls are the latest addition to the Boss sites. We are starting by seeking your opinion on the Bosses, but later polls will canvass current practices and opinions about sheep parasite control. See this month's questions below.

After more than 50 years in the sheep industry, I am now retiring. It's been a while since this newsletter was started back in October 2006. Working with our generous and highly knowledgeable contributors has been a pleasure and an education. I would commend them to any sheep producer and can assure you that invariably, if you follow their professional advice, the return will be much higher than the fees.

I can also assure you that ParaBoss will continue to grow and refine and be a more relevant information resource.

So, as Elmer Fudd would say at the end of the cartoon "tttthat's all fffolks!" From here on your editor will be Maxine Murphy. Thanks for the ride!!

Arthur Le Feuvre


Feature articles

The original “Boss” retires after 51 years

by Deb Maxwell and Lewis Kahn, Paraboss

Our own ParaBoss News Editor: sheep industry stalwart and original creator of WormBoss, Arthur Le Feuvre, is calling it a day. >> Read Arthur's story.

New LiceBoss Treatment Guide launched

by Deb Maxwell, Paraboss

Have you considered introducing sheep, but are worried about bringing in lice? The LiceBoss Treatment Guide is a new and simple-to-use tool that makes a hard decision about whether to treat introduced sheep easier. >> Read more.

Just how good is your advice?

by Deb Maxwell, Paraboss

Sheep producers occasionally ask neighbours and friends their opinion on sheep parasite control, but how does the ‘advice’ given really stack up? >> Read more.

 

The quick quiz

This 3-question quick quiz tests your knowledge of sheep parasites and their control. >> Take the quiz.

 

This month's polls

Polls are at the top right hand corner of each web site.

see State Outlooks below >>


Update your ParaBoss News subscription and you could be a winner

Current subscribers will be sent their username, password and subscription link on July 1st.
 

THANK YOU TO OUR PRIZE CONTRIBUTORS

Riverina (Australia)     |   Animal Control Technologies Australia    |   Allflex Australia 

 

Riverina Pasture Supplements: 1 x $850 prize

ACTA Mouseoff® BD Rodent Block 9 kg Pail: 4 x $220 prizes

Allflex Products: 4 x $220 prizes

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State Outlooks for June 2015

New South Wales
>> full report

Despite cold weather and some ongoing dry patches, worms are still active in some regions—and barber’s pole is often dominant. Recent good rainfall could well increase activity, so do not be slack in monitoring WECs.

Victoria
>> full report

It's a critical time for weaners as worm challenge increases. You should be planning out lambing paddocks now to prevent problems around lambing. Do regular monthly WECs in pregnant ewes and 3 weeks prior lambing, as well as checking the weaners.

Queensland
>> full report

There has been some useful rain in southern parts of the state. If you have not done any WECs for 6 months or more, it might be a good idea to check by the end of July, particularly if there is further rain. All sheep will be very susceptible to challenge.

Reports of poor advice from some retailers highlight the importance of knowing your own circumstances factually—which drenches are effective and when they are really needed. All this is easily found in the WormBoss section of ParaBoss—use it!

Western Australia
>> full report

Worms are starting to show up in the normal winter pattern. Now is the time to start WECs every 3–4 weeks. Also, start looking for opportunities to do resistance tests on hoggets/weaners if you haven't done one for a year or two. Watch out for barber’s pole around Esperance and similar climatic areas.

Tasmania
>> full report

Worms are starting to get moving. Choice of any pre-lambing drench needs to be carefully thought through—don't automatically reach for long acting. In endemic fluke areas, a drench will be worthwhile.

South Australia
>> full report

Generally, worms are not a big issue in a lot of districts because of good nutrition and sheep body condition. Lambs rarely need drench before weaning. Maximising body condition is a better strategy than drenching, particularly with a long acting. Don't get slack about WECs.