Tasmania worm update - November 2012

Paul Nilon, Nilon Farm Health, Tasmania (pandonilon@bigpond.com)

The later lambs are being marked and weaning has started in the drier areas of the state. Nearly all clients made it through spring without a lamb marking drench (except a few late lambers who use it as a first strategic drench). Two properties ‘broke down’ and ewes and lambs received salvage drenches at lamb marking. It just goes to show that things don't always go to plan, and without good monitoring systems (and observation) things can quickly go to rubbish.

This month’s reminders are:

• Use the first summer drench as a time to change drenches. To do this you need current DrenchTest (WECRT) information. Do a DrenchTest if you have to.
• Do not delay weaning and summer drenching just because it's a good season.
• Ewes that are going to Siberia or cleaning up cropping paddocks after weaning will not need a summer drench.
• Use ‘Smart Grazing’ to prepare permanent winter pastures for weaners.

Finally, the spring has been a bit cooler than some. This has delayed the dun hatches on the highland lakes, but there should be some good rises on cloudy humid days in the next 3 weeks. See you up there.

(Editor) There’s no keeping a dedicated trout man from his fish!!!