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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. Why does drenching in dry weather impose a greater selection pressure for drench-resistant worms than drenching in wet weather?

2. Why do ‘multi-active’ drenches help delay the development of drench resistance?

3. Is it better to treat for flystrike on the same date every year, or to wait and see?

4. When restocking, should you consider that all introduced sheep present a possible risk of introducing lice?

>> Check the answers.

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Submit your maggots for free tests

NSW DPI and AWI are still accepting maggots from properties across Australia to test them for resistance to pesticides. These tests are each worth thousands of dollars, but are free during this project. Read how you can submit maggots from your property.  >> Read more.

State Outlooks for October 2019

The harshness of the weather on livestock-rearing is evident once again this month. In New South Wales, for instance, in areas that are still without rain, worms are not so much of an issue, but for those who have received the lightest of rainfall, the opportunistic barber’s pole has already killed sheep (see the Bega report).

The message from the district veterinarians is clear. Please seek advice.

Some thoughts about worm test results from Dr Paul Nilon, Nilon Farm Health, Tasmania.

 


How does drenching in dry weather affect drench resistance?
Restocking: how big is the lice-risk?
A little rain can go a long way with barber's pole worms (see Bega report)



New South Wales
>> full report

For those in the drought-affected regions, don't guess or self-assess, seek advice from your local district vets. Swarms of small black house flies are increasing the risk of marking infections and pink eye.

And despite the really dry conditions, barber’s pole has caused the deaths of sheep in a region that has had only small showers of rain.

Victoria
>> full report

Lower worm egg counts so far this spring cements the need to monitor, and not blanket drench sheep according to the calendar.

Queensland
>> full report

If you have had enough rain to change the colour of the dry paddocks, do worm egg counts four weeks after the rain. Also consider that when restocking, at least 25% of available mobs will most likely be lice affected.

Western Australia
>> full report

The focus of worm control this month is ensuring that lamb growth is not held back by worms, and planning end-of-year worm strategies.

Tasmania
>> full report

For Merino producers yet to mark, a worm egg count of greater than 500 eggs per gram, plus scouring plus tight tucker, should not be cause for too much alarm unless paddocks are to be grazed by weaned lambs.

South Australia
>> full report

With the continuing dry conditions, worm egg counts are understandably modest with only the occasional weaner mob, or late lambing ewe mob with significant worm burdens.
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