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

New “Snapshots”: short audio presentations

If you prefer to listen, rather than read, try the new ParaBoss Snapshots. Each Snapshot is between 2 and 6 minutes and is presented in a short lecture style by Dr Susan Swaney. The seven new Snapshots are:

The Quick Quiz

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

  1. Do strategic drenches rely on worm egg counts?
  2. Can you graze sheep when preparing low worm risk paddocks?
  3. What are the five withholding periods/intervals for worm, lice and fly treatments for sheep?
  4. At what time of year is the most important time to give a strategic treatment for liver fluke to either goats or sheep?

>> Check the answers.

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State Outlooks for Month 2019

April is a key month in the annual worm cycle—the milder weather and continuing rainfall will favour worm development. Monitoring for worms and fluke remains paramount and can provide valuable information on the need for drenching and preparing low-worm risk paddocks for spring. It will also assist in the pre-lambing drenching consideration for autumn lambing ewes.

Producers are reminded to quarantine drench any introduced or returning sheep. You don’t want to import drench resistance.

The NSW Local Land Services District Vets have reminded us that they are active and available even in these uncertain times. NSW producers who need advice or assistance with animal health issues can call their LLS.


Try the new ParaBoss "Snapshots"-short audio presentations by Dr Susan Swaney
Withholding periods/intervals are mandatory with all registered veterinary products used to treat sheep for worms, flies or lice. Always consult the product label and follow the directions for use.
The most important time to give a strategic treatment to manage liver fluke is in April-May.
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New South Wales
>> full report

Rain and warmer weather are continuing across NSW. Some producers have been caught off-guard with clinical disease evident in some barber’s pole regions. Monitor sheep for worms, fluke and flies.

Victoria
>> full report

Worm control for the rest of autumn and into winter is expected to be a major issue on many properties in Victoria this year, so continue to WormTest. Be on the lookout for ryegrass staggers, and for phalaris sudden death if putting ewes onto short phalaris pastures.

Queensland
>> full report

Until average temperatures drop to below 18°C for a few weeks, barber’s pole will stay a threat, so continue to conduct WormTests. Start preparing your low-worm risk paddocks for lambing—spell paddocks, graze with cattle or use them for cropping. Continue monitoring for flies, although the fly threat is reducing with the falling temperatures.

Western Australia
>> full report

Worm management from mid-autumn should now be tactical as the milder weather conditions will promote worm development and lower temperatures will allow them to survive on pasture for long periods. Continue to monitor for worms, particularly in ewes due to lamb in May or June.

Tasmania
>> full report

Substantial rainfall across Tasmania has resulted in plenty of green pastures and good condition in adult sheep. It has also led to high Worm egg counts in younger sheep. Continue to monitor proactively or drench to a routine.

South Australia
>> full report

Although autumn has so far been dry across SA, rain is expected, so it is important to ensure worms and flies are not about to cause concerns—especially in April/May lambing flocks. Monitor for worms and consider a strategic drench and vaccination 4 weeks before lambing.
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