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

The Quick Quiz

This quick quiz tests your knowledge of sheep and goat parasites and their control. 

  1. Does the immunity developed by sheep against worms continue in the absence of infection?
  2. Why worm test the lamb/weaner group separately from the ewe group if both age groups are pastured in the same paddock?
  3. Why is it that a lice treatment can appear to be successful even though resistant lice are present?
  4. Flies - where do they go in winter?

>> Check the answers.

WEBINAR: Low worm-risk paddocks for summer rainfall regions

When:  Tuesday, 30 July, 8 pm Eastern Standard time (Adelaide 7.30 pm, Perth 6 pm)

Presenter: Deb Maxwell, Executive Officer ParaBoss

Why prepare low worm-risk paddocks?

  • It lowers worm contamination of property over entire year.
  • Allows natural immunity to develop without being overwhelmed.
  • Can achieve lengthy periods without drench, which results in:
    • Less cost
    • Less labour
    • Slows development of drench resistance

Join us for a FREE webinar that describes the benefits of preparing low worm-risk paddocks and step-by-step instructions on how to prepare them for lambing ewes and weaners in the summer rainfall regions.  

State Outlooks for July 2019

The drought continues for yet another month although some falls of rain have been received, albeit significantly below the long term monthly averages. Across the temperate regions monitoring for scouring and barber’s pole have been advised. A bumper black scour season is predicted for Tasmania.

Two case studies from Dr Paul Nilon, Perth, Tasmania make for interesting reading. There’s also a discussion on the causes of scouring in sheep from Dr Colin Trengove, Adelaide, South Australia.

See above for the webinar on this Tuesday evening, 30th.

And THE FOX IS COMING!! See the ad on the top of the WormBoss or LiceBoss sites!! 


Cold weather in Tasmania, but also wet,
Dark pupae of Lucilia cuprina (among cream maggots) burrow into the soil over winter
Join the webinar on Tuesday night 30 Jul.



New South Wales
>> full report

Producers are advised to check for barber’s pole worm burdens in sheep mostly picked-up in early autumn, and liver fluke infections of both sheep and cattle.  

Victoria
>> full report

Blanket drenching mobs is very rarely the best option especially at this time of year. Poor drenching decisions often result in re-drenching in a month’s time. Over the last 3 weeks, there has been a sharp increase in worm burdens in all classes of stock.

Queensland
>> full report

While the sheep regions are still very dry, the coastal strip has had consistent winter showers. Goats pastured in these areas are at risk of worms.

Western Australia
>> full report

Rain has fallen at last and worm eggs will have developed through to the larval stage. Sheep grazing short pastures close to the ground are actively picking up worm burdens. WormTest yearlings every 5–6 weeks.

Tasmania
>> full report

Water lying around is due in part to poorly drained clay soils as well as some recent rainfalls. Whatever the cause, it is an alarm bell for a good season for black scour worm.

South Australia
>> full report

Worm egg counts are quite variable across the region with some in the ‘thousands’. Monitor lambs and ewes as restricted feed availability will limit lactation and encourage lambs to graze close to the ground and increase worm larvae pickup.
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