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

MLA Producer Demonstration Site—New England WormBoss

Kim and Alan Newton and their son Matthew, from Emmaville, are among a dozen participant properties in the New England of NSW that are implementing the WormBoss program with support from Meat & Livestock Australia's Producer Demonstration Sites (PDS) program.

Matthew and Kim (pictured) were the first to collect the drenches and tags generously supplied by our sponsors, to undertake a Drench Resistance Test, which is the cornerstone of effective worm management. Almost 60 people attended the first event in February to learn how to control sheep worms in the New England region. More information in the May ParaBoss News.

Drench sponsors: Bayer, Coopers Animal Health, Elanco, Jurox, Western Stock Distributors, Zoetis

Tag sponsor: Swingertag


The quick quiz

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

State Outlooks for April 2016

Conditions over the eastern states are generally warmer than usual for this time of the year, and mostly dry, but in the south west of the Australia there has been an early start to the winter worm season. Plentiful rain that grows green pastures also enables parasites other than worms i.e. liver fluke and flies, to thrive. Preventative action is recommended by advisors around the country to better manage potential outbreaks of worms, blowflies and liver fluke over the autumn months.


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New South Wales
>> full report

It’s April, so it’s time to test for fluke. On many properties, liver fluke is being seen for the first time in years. Barber’s pole is still a concern in areas that have received rain, but build-ups should slow now that daily maximum temperatures are starting to drop. Buffalo fly is also expected to disappear with the onset of the cooler weather. In the Goulburn district, lice are starting to show up in spring-shorn sheep. 

Victoria
>> full report

The season is generally dry, but rain in mid- to late- March and the anticipated follow-on rain has producers conducting worm egg counts on vulnerable stock. Because conditions are dry, a short acting drench at lambing instead of a long acting product is recommended.

Queensland
>> full report

Warm and dry despite some falls of rain; usually only in the 1-5 mm category. Overall, worm burdens are low. 

Western Australia
>> full report

This could be a bumper worm year in the west; the result of the unusually wet January. The wet start to the year has prompted predictions of a more pronounced autumn fly wave than usual.

Tasmania
>> full report

Conditions are very dry again but while the incidence of round worm infections is low, liver fluke could be on the rise as during dry weather sheep are forced to graze areas of green pick, the habitat of the fluke snail.

South Australia
>> full report

Most stock have rising levels of worm infections due to good conditions over the summer months. It’s time to monitor worm egg counts, ewe condition score and feed on offer, to decide if a pre-lambing drench is appropriate this season.