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Australia's resource for control of worms, flies and lice in sheep,
and worms in goats
Dock the tail immediately below the third palpable joint or to the tip of the vulva in ewes
Dock the tail immediately below the third palpable joint or to the tip of the vulva in ewes
Lambs at weaning are at the most worm-susceptible time of their lives
Lambs at weaning are at the most worm-susceptible time of their lives
Use the Long Wool Lice Tool to decide if it is worth treating the sheep or leaving them untreated until shearing
Use the Long Wool Lice Tool to decide if it is worth treating the sheep or leaving them untreated until shearing
Predict your flystrike and extreme weather risk with the National Flystrike and Cold Risk Maps from across Australia Ag360™
Predict your flystrike and extreme weather risk with the National Flystrike and Cold Risk Maps from across Australia Ag360™
Watch a video or webinar, listen to a podcast or snapshot.
Watch a video or webinar, listen to a podcast or snapshot.

The Quick Quiz

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

  1. Docking the tail to the correct length is crucial in minimising stain around the breech and reducing flystrike risk throughout the sheep’s life. What is the recommended tail length?

  2. Why should winter-spring drop lambs/kids always be drenched at weaning in the moderate to high rainfall areas?

  3. Will long wool treatments eradicate lice?

  4. In multi-active drenches, what is the difference between a combination and a mixture?

>> Check the answers.

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WEC QA 2020 CANCELLED

The 2020 round of the ParaBoss WEC QA Program has been cancelled due to foreseeable freight delays. The program relies on swift transport of perishable samples across Australia within a 5-day period. This was successfully achieved with Australia Post in the 2019 main round with all samples arriving at their nominated address by Friday, after being prepared and then sent in eskies with freezer bricks on the Monday afternoon.

Australia Post is still warning of continuing and unpredictable freight delays, which are unlikely to improve by our planned October send-out. Our samples would likely take one to two weeks for delivery, in which time freezer bricks thaw and eggs hatch.

We have recently trialled methods to prevent the eggs from hatching so soon (formalin and air exclusion). These have failed to maintain acceptable egg counts.

ParaBoss apologises for any inconvenience this causes to businesses hoping to participate this year. The 2019 results will remain published for a further year. We hope that some normality will return by this time next year to recommence the program.

Producers using worm egg counting services are still urged to use WEC providers who have proven their accuracy in the 2019 round. Find them listed here.

Flystrike and Cold Risk Maps

Predict your flystrike and extreme weather risk with the National Flystrike and Cold Risk Maps from across Australia Ag360™  

These maps draw on your farm data and weather forecasts to predict more production and well-being risks and opportunities for the sheep and cattle on your property.

State Outlooks for August 2020

The August updates give us a great look at social distancing from a sheep’s perspective! Lambs are now at the most worm-susceptible time of their lives so it is particularly important to continue to monitor worms with a worm egg count. In almost 100% of cases a weaning drench will be required.  With lamb marking about to start, Paul gives us a timely reminder about the importance of docking tails to the correct length.

For those planning a low worm-risk summer weaning paddock, start preparation of the weaning paddock each year when the first lamb is born. This provides a 3-month period where you would prevent further contamination by keeping sheep out or only grazing with sheep in the few weeks after an effective drench, and most worm larvae already on the pasture will die in this period.

New South Wales
>> full report

The wet weather and milder temperatures are continuing over much of the state creating ideal conditions for barber’s pole worm. Producers need to be drenching weaner sheep onto a 'low risk'  paddock with an effective broad spectrum drench. Do a worm test 10–14 days later to ensure the drench is effective. It’s also likely to be a big season for flies. Careful planning of your flystrike prevention strategies now will save you big headaches in the coming months.

Victoria
>> full report

Weaning is now well underway, and recently weaned lambs have low immunity to worms, so monitoring every 3–4 weeks is vital to ensure you get ahead of any potential worm problems. Drenching all lambs at weaning with a fully effective drench is ideal.

COVID restrictions on shearers and contractors coming into Victoria are expected to cause some issues around crutching and shearing over spring and summer, so planning a flexible fly control program will be very important this year—mainly not relying on chemicals with long wool withholds in case sheep need to be crutched or shorn at short notice. 

Queensland
>> full report

In this month’s update, Maxine provides us with a great interpretation of social distancing—sheep style! Keep an eye out for worm infections in weaners as they may not have had a chance to develop any immunity. Conduct a WEC 4 weeks after the rain and, if the count is low, repeat it monthly so that if paddock recontamination does occur you can drench at an appropriate WEC level and before your sheep are affected.

Western Australia
>> full report

Lambing will have finished on almost all properties, and weaning will be well underway. Lambs are now at the most worm-susceptible time of their lives. The aim is to ensure enough worm exposure to develop a functional worm immunity, while avoiding significant worm effects. In almost 100% of cases a weaning drench will be required. Ideally, weaners are drenched with an effective drench onto a clean pasture to give them the best start possible. Ewes should be monitored to determine if they need drenching.

Tasmania
>> full report

Worm wise, all is quiet. Pre-lambing drench decisions have been made. Nutrition is good. Sit back and enjoy the frosts. The big planning decision is where to wean Merino lambs. As far as is reasonably possible, select the weaning paddocks now and keep sheep off them during the spring.

Remember the rules on tail length when marking.

South Australia
>> full report

Rainfall has been variable across the state, and the worm counts generally reflect this. There has been an encouraging increase in worm monitoring indicating stockowner interest in the health, management and welfare of their flock. It is particularly important at the moment with weaning in autumn drop lambs. Consider a drench test at weaning, this will enable formulation of your drench strategy for the next 3 years.